abstract:The Homeostat is one of the first devices capable of adapting itself to the environment; it exhibited behaviours such as habituation, reinforcement and learning through its ability to maintain homeostasis in a changing environment. It was built by William Ross Ashby in 1948 at Barnwood House Hospital.
No matterhowsleep deprived an animalorhuman may be, it would not be adaptive for the sleephomeostat to kickinand to make the animal fall sleepwhen it is in the midst of a flood or forestfire.