Wolfgang Von Kempelen's Speaking Machine

The first attempts to produce human speech by machine were made in the 2nd half of the 18th century. Professor of physiology Kratzenstein in Copenhagen succeeded in producing vowels using resonance tubes connected to organ pipes.


At that time, Wolfgang von Kempelen from Hungary had already begun with his own attempts that led him to construct a speaking machine. Von Kempelen was an ingenious person in the service of empress Maria Theresa in Vienna.

Von Kempelen's machine was the first that allowed to produce not only some speech sounds, but also whole words and short sentences.