French inventor Dimitri Rebikoff developed the POODLE in 1953, the first tethered remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV). Based on his earlier diver propulsion vehicle, the POODLE was an unmanned, tether-controlled submersible that could perform tasks in hazardous environments, paving the way for the development of modern ROVs used in offshore oil and gas, salvage, and scientific research.

The POODLE, a precursor to a new generation of underwater robots, marked the beginning of a shift from direct human presence to remote sensing and intervention in the deep. This technological development influenced science fiction and speculative poetry, raising questions about the nature of exploration, the relationship between humans and machines, and the future of human engagement with the ocean, themes explored by writers like J.G. Ballard and Stanisław Lem.