• Evilcoleslaw@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      26
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      8 months ago

      The machine consisted of a life-sized model of a human head and torso, with a black beard and grey eyes,[6] and dressed in Ottoman robes and a turban—“the traditional costume”, according to journalist and author Tom Standage, “of an oriental sorcerer”. Its left arm held a long Ottoman smoking pipe while at rest, while its right lay on the top of a large cabinet

      So, I mean, as a reference to the historical device perhaps not racist but the origin of the name is probably kinda racist.