Tik-Tok, introduced in ‘Ozma of Oz’ (1907), is often cited as one of the earliest robots in fiction. He operates through clockwork mechanisms and requires winding for thinking, speaking, and moving. Baum’s mechanical man predates many 20th‑century robot archetypes and influenced later depictions of artificial beings.
Loved this fact? Discover more Wizard of Oz lore in my new book – The Emerald Signal of Oz, available on Amazon!
Source: Ozma of Oz (1907)