The Automaton Chess Player, 1845. Creator: Unknown

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The Automaton Chess Player, 1845. Creator: Unknown

The Automaton Chess Player, 1845. A machine...invented in the year 1769. by Wolfgang de Kempelin...the concealed player was seated immediately under the chess board of the Automaton...the reverse of this chess board, which formed part of the ceiling of his narrow cell, was an exact representation of the chess board above, but to the side presented to the imprisoned player at every one of the sixty four squares was suspended, by the finest silk, a tiny metallic ball...as the chess men with which the Automaton played above had each of them a magnet inside, the moment any one of them was placed upon a square it attracted the little ball attached to the corresponding square below and fixed it to the board, so that...thirty two (the number of the pieces) of the balls beneath would be drawn up close to the under chess-board, while the other thirty two would remain suspended.... From " Illustrated London News", 1845, Vol VII

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Media ID 20551843

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Automatic Automation Automaton Board Game Chess Chess Player Game Hoax Machine Machinery Mechanism Robot Trick Turban Turbans Turk Turkey Turkish Wolfgang Head Dress Headgear Illustrated London News Pastime Robot Arm

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EDITORS COMMENTS
. This print showcases "The Automaton Chess Player" a remarkable machine invented by Wolfgang de Kempelin in 1769. The mysterious creator behind this ingenious contraption remains unknown to this day. In the image, we witness the concealed player seated beneath the chessboard of the Automaton. The reverse side of this board, forming part of his narrow cell's ceiling, features an exact replica of the chessboard above. Suspended from each square on this hidden board is a tiny metallic ball attached by delicate silk threads. The secret lies in magnets embedded within each chess piece used by the Automaton above. As soon as a piece is placed on a square, it attracts and fixes its corresponding ball below onto the hidden board. This mechanism causes thirty-two balls to be drawn up close to the under chessboard while leaving another thirty-two suspended. Published in "Illustrated London News" in 1845, this engraving sheds light on one of history's most intriguing hoaxes—a testament to human fascination with automation and deception during the nineteenth century. Through this photograph, we are transported back in time—immersing ourselves in an era where machinery and innovation captivated society's imagination. It serves as a reminder that even centuries ago, humans were capable of creating astonishing feats through their ingenuity and craftsmanship. (Photo credit: Unknown | Heritage Images)

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