Mechanical speaking figures are very popular in the 18th century. Purportedly they are not only able to answer questions but also to divine. The enlightened philosophers are alarmed in the face of apparent fraud fostering superstition. The most successful weapon against the charlatans seems to be the public imitation of their tricks. This leads to a division of labour between popularisers of science, instrument-makers and even some showmen, and natural philosophers. The former expose the imposture thanks to their special skills, the latter support these fraudbusting activities with their growing cultural authority. This paves the way for a close alliance between professional magicians and scientists in the 19th and 20th century exposing spiritistic mediums and spiritual healers.
...MoreDescription On mechanical speaking figures that were purported to divine, and on the attack on these suspected frauds by philosophers and magicians.
Article Eckart, Wolfgang U. (2004) Blender, Täuscher, Scharlatane: Betrug in den Wissenschaften, Einführung in das Symposium. Berichte zur Wissenschaftsgeschichte (p. 89).
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