autopen

(pronounced: auto-pen)

A device used for the automatic signing of a signature. The irony is that even though it's automated, it's made to look like the signature was done by hand, as opposed to printing a reproduction of the signature, which is perceived as impersonal.

Historical perspective: It was a good week for automated leadership during June 2011, after the extension of the Patriot Act was signed by an autopen, a machine that can mimic the president's signature, because Barack Obama was in Europe. It's commonly used for more trivial matters, such as signing Christmas cards.