1932: Alpha the robot
While the 1933 Chicago World's Fair had introduced the idea of the Homes of Tomorrow, the futuristic building exhibits within it featured nothing in the way of home automation. Instead, it was left to the likes of Alpha the robot, here, to sow the seed of a machine to do our bidding - even if, as in Alpha's case, that did come with a degree of attitude.
Originally an exhibit at the Dome in Brighton, Alpha was trained to answer a series of voice commands which included firing a pistol because, obviously, that's a perfectly sensible idea for a prototype machine in front of a live audience. Funnily enough, Alpha managed to shoot his creator but his less forgiveable crimes were his behaviour towards women, although Alpha would probably argue that he was just a product of his times. Either way, robot assistants had a long way to go.