Josef Stanek with electro-mechanical chess set, Germany
1974 - Pensioner Constructs Electro-Mechanical Game of Chess: The Inventor of the electro-mechanical game of chess is the 71 year old Josef Stanek from Heusenstamm near Frankfurt. Two years ago he applied for a trademark in the Patent Office and caused a sensation in an exhibition. Years ago he had the idea of inventing a special game of chess but to start work he had to wait until he was a pensioner. Under a large glass plate Stanek stuck black and brown squares, on two sides of the table there are small lamps as well as two switches in front of each player. Something special are of course the chess pieces and their function. Two small electric motors move a permanent magnet under the glass-plate which directs the chess pieces, fitted with a small iron ball
