Virtual Königsberg Gets its First Inhabitants

As part of the “World of Immanuel Kant” project, IKBFU researchers create a virtual model of late 18th century Königsberg. Right now the city’s “population” is actively growing.

Real historical figures will inhabit the virtual Königsberg. Among them are Russian historian Nikolai Karamzin, who visited Immanuel Kant in the summer of 1789, Prussian chemist Karl Gottfried Hagen, and the burgomaster of Königsberg Theodor Gottlieb von Hippel. Ordinary townspeople are also present.

Natalia Boldyreva, the project's historical consultant, spoke more about the development of characters who appear in virtual Königsberg — the knifegrinder and his client.

Natalia Boldyreva described the difficulties the team faced during the development.

The engraving chosen for the reference appears uncomplicated. Yet we had to spend a lot of time thinking — how was the grindstone bult? How did it look from all angles? What were the small buckets on it for? What material was used to make the base of the machine and the treadle? What texture was the sharpening stone? How were the knifegrinder and his client dressed? What were their clothes made of?

This is the only way to get closer to people who met on the streets of Königsberg in the last quarter of the 18th century.

At the initial phase we had to study European clothes at the end of the XVIII century. After making faces and clothing it was necessary to give the 3D models a specific pose, which would highlight the attitude of each character.