At the very end of the first video, Roger Ebert mentions that R2-D2 is inspired by the drones in Silent Running (1972).

I just had to google that....see for yourself.



Source: http://www.moongadget.com/origins/droids.html



Maybe not exactly R2's, but to me the drones in Silent Runing look like they could well be Power Droid's ancestors.

Thanks Dr, i really enjoyed those mate, those two critics were ahead of their time, cheers n thanks, great vids.

very cool Marco - I haven't seen that since it originally aired   

Solo , Vader and Greedo give it 3 thumbs up