Automated "robot" information booths in the London Underground, 1933

Proof that the London Undergound has been in decline since the 1930s: today, automation in the tube is about Oyster Cards, which track riders without their consent or control -- but back then, tube automation was "self-service robot information booths" that looked like carny tintype machines.

Twirling a dial helps subway riders find their way, at a self-service information booth just opened in London, England. To inquire how to reach any point in the city, the traveler sets the dial according to a printed list of instructions. The device then informs him of the place’s location, the exact fare required, and the number of the platform from which the appropriate train leaves.

Robot Guides Subway Rider In London (Jul, 1933)

I write books. My latest is a YA science fiction novel called Homeland (it's the sequel to Little Brother). More books: Rapture of the Nerds (a novel, with Charlie Stross); With a Little Help (short stories); and The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (novella and nonfic). I speak all over the place and I tweet and tumble, too.

MORE: Gadgets • Old school

More at Boing Boing

The technology that links taxonomy and Star Trek

Hackers prepare for first "national holiday" in their honor

Anonymous

#6: well, the ticket machines all have touch-screens now, and they do fine! But they’re strong, glass screens. And the fares are simple too (flat rates for large areas), I think this device probably dates from before the competing companies were nationalised.
Pasketti

It looks like the control panel on the Tardis.
devophill

No sir, I believe you are mistaken. That is obviously a TARDIS control console.
devophill

Sonuva! I need to type faster.
ecobore

Ah, well really there is only one valid comment on the London Underground, and you can hear it here:
http://www.backingblair.co.uk/london_underground/
overunger

Looks like something Andrew Ryan commissioned for Rapture. “It looks dreamy, Mr. Bubbles…”
eustace

grrrrraaaAAAAAARRRRRGGGHH! (clank clank clank)
mooooooooaaan…
Anonymous

If this is from 1933, the “robot” is probably explaining all the integrated routes and line name changes that arose with the creation of the London Passenger Transport Board.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Passenger_Transport_Board
joeposts

I prefer my transit information explained to me in a snarl from an angry bus driver or overheated fare collector, thank you very much..
Modusoperandi

On what year did it decide to kill all humans?
Ryan

Actually, I wonder if something with a more mechanical interface like this is the best way to provide information that needs to be calculated on the fly. I feel like a touch screen interface, which is what everyone seems to want would probably do now, would be more likely to get damaged. Doesn’t mean you can’t use a shiny display, you might just want to hide it behind some strong-as-heck glass.

Or, maybe fixing the problem of complicated fare models for overburdened transit systems would make transit information easier and doable with plain old paper. *gasp*
eustace

Modus Operandi, that year is yet to come. But soon, I hope.