The Empire’s infamous walker has an origin story you might not expect.
Here’s how one of Star Wars' most iconic war machines was born.
This article originally appeared onDen of Geek UK.
Their introduction almost matches Darth Vaders grand entrance in the originalStar Warswhen it comes to sheer menace.
We see the walkers first as black dots against the planet Hoths snow-white horizon.
Then we see their huge, lumbering feet through a Rebels Electrobinoculars.
Compared to the Empires rank-and-file Stormtroopers, these monstrosities are a real force to be reckoned with.
When it came to pushing the boundaries of engineering, Mosher was something of a pioneer.
Those huge feet can also pivot to create wheels perfect for rolling over smoother ground.
you might read his description from Sentinel atCybernetic Zoo an online menagerie of early robots and cyber-animal concepts.
Effects artist and art director Joe Johnston, meanwhile, was more immediately inspired by Syd Meads illustrations.
The result was a breathtaking action sequence that immediately differentiatedEmpirefrom the originalStar Wars,and still captures imaginations today.
Research into four-legged vehicles, meanwhile, isstill going on well into the 21st century.
Maybe the notion of a walking war machine isnt so far-fetched, after all…
