VSR-2: Talos FG as a high school science fair project, however, the research into affordable humanoid robotics began as far back as 2005 in his middle school years and included his former partner, Anthony Winterton. The prefix 'VSR-2' is an acroname meaning Variable Sequenced Robot - 2nd Model. The name 'Talos' originated in Greek mythology, and was a giant man of bronze who protected Europa in Crete from pirates and invaders by circling the island's shores three times daily while guarding it. It is sometimes referred to as history's first recorded concept of a humanoid robot. 'FG' is another acroname meaning Final Generation,
An Island in the Moon the prevailing belief as to the primary background of "An Island" is that it dramatises Blake's disassociation from the social circles in which he found himself. Critical work in the second half of the twentieth century, however, has often challenged the assumption that "An Island" originated in Blake's rejection of a specific social circle. Foremost amongst such work is that of David V. Erdman, who suggests instead that the main background to the "An Island" is Blake's belief in his own imminent financial success. In early 1784, Blake opened a print shop at No. 27 Broad Street with James Parker,