Lost 1897 Méliès Film Featuring Possible First Robot Discovered

Library of Congress unveils a 45-second 1897 George Méliès short, "Gugusse and the Automaton," now in 4K online.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A 45-second 1897 short film by pioneering French filmmaker George Méliès, titled "Gugusse and the Automaton," has been discovered after being lost for over a century. The film is believed to feature what may be the first depiction of a robot-like mechanical figure in cinema history. The film was found in a box of old movies owned by the great-grandfather of a man in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has now been digitized and made available online by the Library of Congress.

Why it matters

Méliès is considered a legendary figure in early cinema, known for his innovative special effects and fantastical films. "Gugusse and the Automaton" is an important historical find, as it represents one of the earliest known depictions of a mechanical, robot-like character in film, predating more famous science fiction works. The rediscovery of this lost short film provides a glimpse into the origins of cinematic depictions of artificial intelligence and automation.

The details

The 45-second "Gugusse and the Automaton" short film depicts a magician cranking up and then hammering down an automaton dressed as a clown. The film was made by Georges Méliès, a pioneering French filmmaker known for his innovative special effects and fantastical movies like "A Trip to the Moon." The film was discovered in a box of old movies owned by the great-grandfather of a man in Grand Rapids, Michigan, who had inherited the collection. The films and other materials had been passed down through the generations since the great-grandfather, William Delisle Frisbee, was a traveling showman who screened some of the world's first movies.

  • The film "Gugusse and the Automaton" was made in 1897 by Georges Méliès.
  • The film was discovered in 2026 in a box of old movies owned by the great-grandson of the original owner.

The players

Georges Méliès

A pioneering French filmmaker known for his innovative special effects and fantastical movies like "A Trip to the Moon."

William Delisle Frisbee

A western Pennsylvania potato farmer and schoolteacher who moonlighted as a traveling showman, screening some of the world's first movies in the early 20th century.

Bill McFarland

The great-grandson of William Delisle Frisbee, who inherited the box of old films and donated the collection to the Library of Congress in 2026.

Courtney Holschuh

An archive technician at the Library of Congress who unraveled and examined the rediscovered "Gugusse and the Automaton" film.

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What they’re saying

“This is one of the collections that makes you realize why you do this.”

— Courtney Holschuh, Archive Technician, Library of Congress (Timeless: Stories from the Library of Congress)

What’s next

The Library of Congress has made the newly discovered "Gugusse and the Automaton" film available to view in 4K resolution on its website.

The takeaway

The rediscovery of this lost 1897 Georges Méliès film featuring what may be the first cinematic depiction of a robot-like automaton underscores the importance of preserving and restoring historical films, as they provide invaluable insights into the origins of science fiction and the evolution of filmmaking.