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,
The Man Who Was Thursday than they are now. It was intended to describe the world of wild doubt and despair which the pessimists were generally describing at that date; with just a gleam of hope in some double meaning of the doubt, which even the pessimists felt in some fitful fashion". The costumes the detectives don towards the end of the book represent what was created on their respective day. Sunday, "the sabbath" and "the peace of God," sits upon a throne in front of them. The name of the girl Syme likes, Rosamond, is derived from "Rosa Mundi," meaning "Rose of the World"