• Evilcoleslaw@lemmy.world
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      10 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.