George Devol
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George Devol was an American inventor who designed the first programmable robot arm. His patent led to the Unimate, the first industrial robot.
George Devol was an American inventor who designed the first programmable robot arm. His patent led to the Unimate, the first industrial robot.
George Devol (1912 to 2011) was an American inventor. In the 1950s he designed a machine he called "Programmed Article Transfer", a robot arm that could remember and repeat movements. He filed a patent in 1954, which was granted in 1961.
From idea to factory
Devol met Joseph Engelberger, and together they started Unimation, the first robot company. Their Unimate began work at a General Motors plant in 1961.
Why he matters
He had the invention; Joseph Engelberger found customers. Many robotics stories need both a builder and a business partner.
Ask R2 Co-pilot anything you didn't understand about George Devol. It'll explain it plainly.
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Last updated · 2026-11-06
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