Machines Like Us

John Rigg doesn't have a typical hobby. In fact, you've never seen anything quite like it. John builds complete, life-sized reproductions of robots from the movies -- as well as a host of other science fiction film paraphernalia -- and has created one of the most fascinating museums in existence. Machines Like Us recently asked John about his extraordinary "Robot Hut."

MLU: Your work is absolutely fantastic, John. What motivates you to build your robots?

JR: When I decide to build a robot I am normally motivated by some idea that I have not done before. Now, this is not always the case; sometimes it's opportunity that drives me to build something. For example, if I were to get inside information (studio blue prints, or [being] able to take measurements from the actual prop) on how to build a famous robot from a movie, then I would build one also.

MU: How long have you been at it?

JR: I started building electronic and mechanical things back when I was 7 years old.

MU: You seem to know all about casting and electrical systems. Do you have an engineering background? Have you ever worked in the motion picture industry?

JR: I worked for 18 years in the electronics field, designing at board level everything from simple pre-amps to satellite broadcast/receive equipment. I also learned my prototyping skills at this time. The casting skills started with my first Robby the Robot project back in 1987, and have continued ever since. I did also do some electronic Prop work in TV/cable shows, but this was many years ago.

MLU: How can you afford such an extravagant hobby?

JR: Well, when I worked in the electronics field I was the head engineer for a world wide company so I had extra money, just very little extra time.

MLU: Where do you house all of your robots -- in your home, or did you have to construct a special building?

JR: I have a work shop now that is bigger than most people's homes, and I did construct a 2000 sq. ft. building just to hold my collection of over 3500 robots.

MLU: What future projects do you have in mind?

JR: I still have a few classic movie robots I want to build, but need to find the correct info first. Research is real important; you can spend the same amount of time and money doing something wrong as it would take to do it right -- so I always try to track down as much information on a project as possible first.

Visit John's Robot Hut museum here.