Many fans of the Transformers franchise often wonder about the origins of these robots in disguise. When we first encounter them on Earth, they famously take the forms of vehicles. However, this wasn’t always the case. To understand what Transformers looked like before they scanned cars, we need to delve into their backstory and their initial encounters with our planet.
In the early episodes of the original Transformers cartoon, a crucial detail is revealed: Transformers didn’t always transform into earthly vehicles. A prime example is Bumblebee. In the initial episodes, we witness Bumblebee and other Autobots transforming into their original forms. These forms were distinctly Cybertronian, reflecting their mechanical and alien nature, and were certainly not based on cars or any other Earth vehicles.
The shift to vehicle forms occurred when their spaceship, the Ark, crash-landed on Earth. This crash resulted in all Transformers on board becoming deactivated. Centuries later, in the 1980s, the Ark reactivated. Upon reactivation, a critical protocol was initiated: camouflage. To blend into their new environment, the Ark automatically altered the bodies of all present Transformers – both Autobots and Decepticons – to resemble the dominant vehicle forms of Earth at that time. This is why we see Optimus Prime as a truck, Bumblebee as a Volkswagen Beetle (and later other cars), and various Decepticons as jets and military vehicles.
Understanding the pre-Earth forms also requires knowing about their origins. The Transformers weren’t always autonomous beings. According to the lore, they were created by a race of aliens known as the Quintessons on their home planet Cybertron. Interestingly, Transformer society was initially divided based on their intended function. The Autobots were designed for labor and domestic duties, essentially industrial slaves. Conversely, the Decepticons were created for military purposes, acting as military slaves. This origin explains why Autobots often transform into transportation and utility vehicles, while Decepticons frequently take on combat-oriented forms like jets and tanks – even after scanning Earth vehicles.
Furthermore, it’s important to note that the Decepticons’ inherent evil wasn’t always a defining characteristic. As explored in some storylines, the Decepticons were initially corrupted, notably by Megatron. There are even accounts suggesting a process to temporarily revert Decepticons to their original state, though Megatron’s influence ultimately became permanent. This explains why Megatron might have initially targeted the Decepticon faction – the military force – to amass power, while the Autobots, despite being initially designed for labor, formed a resistance due to their strategic capabilities.
In conclusion, before scanning cars and adopting Earth vehicle forms, Transformers possessed original Cybertronian modes that reflected their alien origins and their societal roles as either laborers (Autobots) or military forces (Decepticons). The adoption of vehicle forms was a strategic adaptation for camouflage upon arriving on Earth, a necessity for survival and concealment in a new environment.
