In the late 18th century, the promise of automata—mechanical devices mimicking human actions—captivated the imaginations of European intellectuals and aristocrats. Kempelen, a Hungarian inventor and engineer, introduced his creation to the Austrian Empress Maria Theresa. The Mechanical Turk appeared as a large wooden cabinet with a life-sized model of a human head and torso, dressed in Turkish robes and turban, seated behind a chessboard. This machine wasn't just a marvel due to its intricate de