Mechanical Turk: 1770 chess-playing device that concealed a human operator

In 1770 the device known as the Mechanical Turk debuted as a chess-playing machine that astonished audiences across Europe and the Americas. It played Benjamin Franklin and Napoleon Bonaparte.

The secret was a skilled chess player hidden inside its cabinet. Despite widespread suspicion, the illusion endured for decades. Its story offers a striking reminder that the impression of an autonomous mind can hide the reality behind it.