Robots are rapidly becoming part of our everyday life. You can order them from online stores, and when you go to the toy store they are all over the place. In 1980 they were new ideas and the first real wave of robots were coming off the production lines. Now they are everywhere and are used throughout our lifestyles. Although robots were once laboratory curiosities, they are now within anyone's reach. Yes, now you can own a robot, mechanical servant, entertaining companion. We are not quite there yet, but let us not forget the first wave and the pioneers that helped introduce them to us, and the hobbyist that still carry on some of the work.