Talking dolls have been around for over a century, but the fascination with making inanimate objects seem human reaches back into our early history. What is it about creating a companion that can interact with us, especially for a child, that fascinates us so? And what will that look like as our technology continues to advance? Featuring Carlene Stephens, Curator for the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and Claire Gartland of the Electronic Privacy Information Center. MUSIC FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE Washedway by evolv Simple Things by Dexter BritainSummer Time by Night FeversGarden Graves by Nikolaus MeyerCrossing by Nikolaus MeyerBurning Man by SOLISLethal Shot by GenerdynThe Time to Run: Finale by Dexter BritainCourtesy of Musicbed. Enter the Musicbed Film Initiative with over $70,000 in cash, gear, and post-production to make your film idea a reality. Please take 20 seconds and complete our Listener Poll. Check out the new Defacto Sound website by Mast & Pocketknife, and be sure to tell your friends in the TV, Film, & Game industries all about it. Follow us on Twitter & Facebook. Our website is 20k.org. Consider supporting the show at donate.20k.org. Sign up for Blue Apron and get your first 3 meals free at www.blueapron.com/20k. Thanks for listening!