The hoax Captain of K�ick
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The hoax Captain of K�ick
The sham Captain of K� ick and his triumph of genius. 1. the sham captain signing the receipt for the municipal money; 2. the sham captain arresting Burgomaster Langerhaus in his own town hall. Wilhelm Voigt, impersonating a captain in the German army, commanding a squad of soldiers who were trained to follow superiors without question, gained considerable fame for his hoax. Date: 1906
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Media ID 14137308
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Arrest Arresting Burgomaster False Genius Hoax Identity Impersonating Impersonation Joke Kick Practical Receipt Sham Signing Triumph Wilhelm
EDITORS COMMENTS
The Sham Captain of Köpenick: Wilhelm Voigt's Triumph of Genius (1906) This intriguing photograph captures two pivotal moments in the audacious hoax perpetrated by Wilhelm Voigt, who became known as the 'Sham Captain of Köpenick.' In the first scene, Voigt, dressed in a full German army uniform, signs a receipt for municipal money, having successfully deceived the authorities into believing he was a captain in the German army. In the second scene, Voigt arrests the Burgomaster Langerhaus in his own town hall, further solidifying his false identity. Voigt, a humble cobbler by trade, had a keen sense of humor and a desire for adventure. He seized an opportunity to impersonate a captain when he overheard soldiers discussing their pay, which was being withheld due to a shortage of funds. With a few props and an impressive demeanor, Voigt managed to convince the soldiers under his command that he was their superior officer. He then proceeded to demand and receive the municipal funds, which he distributed among his unsuspecting soldiers. The hoax gained significant attention when Voigt, with his squad of soldiers, marched into Köpenick to arrest the Burgomaster for embezzlement. The unsuspecting Burgomaster, along with the town council, was taken aback by this unexpected turn of events. Voigt's audacious impersonation and the subsequent arrest of the Burgomaster made headlines across Germany and beyond, earning him both infamy and admiration. Wilhelm Voigt's hoax, which took place in 1906, is a testament to the power of charisma, the human tendency to follow authority figures, and the enduring appeal of a well-executed practical joke. This photograph serves as a fascinating reminder of this historical event and the man who pulled off one of the most memorable hoaxes in history.
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