Vintage Photos of Robby the Robot in Las Vegas in 1956

Robby the Robot is a fictional character and science fiction icon who first appeared in the 1956 film Forbidden Planet. He made a number of subsequent appearances in science fiction movies and television programs, usually without specific reference to the original film character.

Robby the Robot in Las Vegas in 1956

The name “Robbie” (spelled with an “ie”) had appeared in science fiction before Forbidden Planet. In a pulp magazine adventure The Fantastic Island (1935), the name is used for a mechanical likeness of Doc Savage used to confuse foes. The name is also used in Isaac Asimov’s short story “Robbie” (1940) about a first-generation robot designed to care for children.

In Tom Swift on The Phantom Satellite (1956), it is also the name given to a small four-foot robot designed by Tom Swift Jr., the boy inventor in the Tom Swift Jr. science fiction novel series by Victor Appleton II.

These vintage photos from Tom Simpson captured Robby the Robot in Las Vegas in 1956.

Robby the Robot on the Sands Hotel's Forbidden Planet float for the Helldorado Parade

Robby the Robot on the Sands Hotel's Forbidden Planet float for the Helldorado Parade

Robby the Robot on the Sands Hotel's Forbidden Planet float for the Helldorado Parade

Robby the Robot on the Sands Hotel's Forbidden Planet float for the Helldorado Parade

Robby the Robot on the Sands Hotel's Forbidden Planet float for the Helldorado Parade

Robby the Robot on the Sands Hotel's Forbidden Planet float for the Helldorado Parade

Robby the Robot on the Sands Hotel's Forbidden Planet float for the Helldorado Parade

Robby the Robot ordering a drink at the Sands Hotel

Robby the Robot playing blackjack at the Sands Hotel

Robby the Robot playing craps at the Sands Hotel

Robby the Robot playing roulette at the Sands Hotel

Robby the Robot playing the slots at the Sands Hotel

Robby the Robot buying some chips at the Sands Hotel