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Dr von Zarkov
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« on: February 24, 2012, 04:29:29 pm » |
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"The Turk" was a mechanical man who astounded thousands by playing chess. Read about John Gaughan's reconstruction of this automaton and watch the video.
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"The fact that I wear the protective coloration of sedate citizenship is a ruse of the fox — I learned it long ago."
– Loren Eiseley
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Mr Peter Harrow, Esq
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« Reply #1 on: February 25, 2012, 09:25:02 am » |
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Wasnt it operated by a midget?
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Proudly giving the entire Asylum The Finger!
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pakled
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« Reply #2 on: February 26, 2012, 06:52:34 am » |
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It was indeed...
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Mr Peter Harrow, Esq
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« Reply #3 on: February 26, 2012, 09:28:11 am » |
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hopefully that can now be replaced with a widget.
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« Last Edit: February 26, 2012, 10:43:44 am by Mr Peter Harrow, Esq »
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Jedediah Solomon
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« Reply #4 on: July 05, 2012, 03:31:12 pm » |
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Perhaps one of the new Babbage machines connected to solonoids and gears might be fitted to simulate the actions of an actual person, and thus not require the need for a Midget. They are hard to come by anymore.
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Adventure awaits
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polyphemus
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« Reply #5 on: July 05, 2012, 08:33:01 pm » |
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Especially when you remember that being of the correct dimension was only half of the requirement. He also had to play master class chess. Or at least pretty good...
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Polphemus Pomfret
"Don't be silly. He wouldn't write,"Aaarrgghhh!"
"Perhaps he was dictating."
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Augustus Longeye
Daedric Lord of Biscuits
Board Moderator
Rogue Ætherlord
 United Kingdom
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« Reply #6 on: July 05, 2012, 09:03:46 pm » |
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You could do the Darren Brown method of winning the majority of chess matches against 9 masters. I won't spoil it for those who don't know, but those who do; you could rig up something along those lines, surely?  Or give the "turk" a headset and link it to a master chess player off-stage?  ~Longeye~ |
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I say you, chaps down there! Piss off, see? Haa ha! Love, Space Longeye <3 |
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Uncle Arthur
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« Reply #7 on: July 05, 2012, 09:06:20 pm » |
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According to the article it wasn't operated by a midget. Makes the illusion all that much more fascinating.
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If at first you don't succeed , CHEAT!
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Atterton
Master Tinkerer
Only The Shadow knows
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« Reply #8 on: July 05, 2012, 09:22:00 pm » |
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I don't think it was ever actually shown that it was operated by a little person.
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In space, no one can hear you steam.
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Captain Shipton Bellinger
Immortal
United Kingdom
Why the goggles..? In case of ADVENTURE!
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« Reply #9 on: July 06, 2012, 05:46:21 am » |
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In 1836 Edgar Allan Poe wrote a quite masterful analysis and debunking of Maelzel's Chess Player. |
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Capt. Shipton Bellinger R.A.M.E. (rtd) |
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oldskoolpunk
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« Reply #11 on: July 06, 2012, 07:49:36 am » |
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That's great! Poe was right about how the fake was done, of course. But his commentary on how a machine could not possibly play chess is amusing today. Today the situation has reversed. Cheating at chess tournaments by using computers is a big problem. |
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« Last Edit: July 06, 2012, 07:59:09 pm by oldskoolpunk »
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Crescat Scientia
Gunner
 United States
Fabricator and temporally confused.
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« Reply #12 on: July 06, 2012, 10:26:13 am » |
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The device is interesting as a part of the history of stage illusions. I regret the necessity of pointing out that the word "midget" is http://www.salon.com/2009/07/16/m_word/ ]considered most offensive among the community of little people.[/url] |
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Very rarely will he squarely push the logic of a fact to its ultimate conclusion in unmitigated act.
-- Rudyard Kipling
Have you heard? It's in the stars, next July we collide with Mars.
-- Cole Porter
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