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Farkash KempelenHungarian inventor of a chess-playing machine with a man hiding inside.
Date of Birth: 23.01.1734
Country:  Hungary |
Content:
- Wolfgang von Kempelen
- Early Life and Education
- Administrative Roles
- Technical Innovations
- Speaking Machine
- Chess-Playing Automaton
Wolfgang von Kempelen
Wolfgang von Kempelen (1734-1804) was a Hungarian inventor and author renowned for his creation of a chess-playing automaton and his contributions to various technical fields.
Early Life and Education
Born in Pressburg, Hungary, Kempelen studied philosophy and law in Bratislava, Győr, Vienna, and Rome. He was fluent in seven languages, including Latin, German, and French. His translation of Maria Theresa's legal code from Latin to German gained him recognition and royal patronage.
Administrative Roles
At the age of 25, Kempelen was appointed director of salt mines in Hungary by Maria Theresa. He implemented significant modernizations in the salt industry, improving efficiency and productivity. In 1770, he was knighted, and in 1775, he was elevated to hereditary baron with the title "de Pázmánd." In 1786, he became president of the Hungarian-Transylvanian Court Chancellery.
Technical Innovations
Kempelen was entrusted with numerous technical projects, including the cultivation of flax in Banat and the construction of a wool factory there. He also oversaw the reconstruction of Budapest's fortifications and supervised the relocation of the University of Trnava to Budapest in 1777. Additionally, he designed and built a water supply system for Bratislava, constructed a pontoon bridge in the city, and implemented irrigation on Žitný Ostrov.
Speaking Machine
In 1788, Kempelen created a speaking machine, a wooden box with bellows and a complex system of valves and pegs. It reproduced the voice of a young child and was later improved by Johann Maelzel in Berlin.
Chess-Playing Automaton
Kempelen's most famous creation was his chess-playing automaton, which gained widespread attention. The automaton, disguised as a Turk, sat at a chessboard and played skillfully. It was later revealed that a skilled chess player was hidden inside the machine. The automaton played against notable opponents, including Frederick II and Napoleon. It remained a subject of fascination and controversy until it was destroyed in a fire in Philadelphia in 1854.
