The Turk

The Turk was a machine created in the 18th century. It took the form and, apparently, mind of a human. The grand masters of Europe could play chess against the machine. (PROSE: The Adventuress of Henrietta Street)

Percy Shelley invested money in it prior to 1816. (AUDIO: The Silver Turk)

Behind the scenes
The Turk served as inspiration for Russell T Davies in devising the Clockwork Droids that appeared in 2006's The Girl in the Fireplace. The title of AUDIO: The Silver Turk also refers to the machine.