Paranormal abilities are designed to boggle the imagination of people. But any curiosity, mentioned many times, eventually ceases to amaze. Transmission of thoughts to a distance, the ability to move objects by willpower, vision of the future - all these talents are incredible, but at the same time paradoxical … commonplace. Well, who has not heard of telepaths and clairvoyants? What is special about them? But among the anomalous abilities of the human body, there are truly strange phenomena, little-known and practically unexplored. These include thoughtgraphy - the projection of images from a person's head onto photographic film.
A bird will fly out now
Even the description of thoughtgraphics smells slightly insane. A person points a Polaroid camera in his face and takes a picture. But it is not his own eyes and nose that appear in the photograph, but the image that he is currently holding in his head: say, the image of the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben. It would seem, why might such a specific gift be needed? Isn't it easier to look at real photos of famous buildings, of which there are a great many?
On the one hand, everything is correct, thoughtgraphy is not conducive to everyday use. On the other hand, images "from the head" are quite useful if the person-thoughtgraph was a witness to a crime or just an important event that for some reason was not filmed. In addition, not all miracles are required to be of unambiguous benefit. Some simply exist without asking our opinion.
Tragedy in Japanese
The history of the origin of thoughtgraphy is quite curious. It dates back to the end of the 19th century, when the so-called "perfume photographs" were very popular. This movement continues to this day. Thousands of hunters for anomalous phenomena visit haunted houses and take millions of pictures in the hope of capturing guests from the other world.
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Many books have been written and hundreds of films based on ghost hunting. And although thoughtgraphy does not set itself the task of photographing ghosts, it arose precisely due to the hype around them.
The very word "thoughtgraphy" did not appear immediately. This phenomenon was originally called "psychic photography" and was first mentioned in The New Photography by Arthur Chatwood in 1896. He noted that images of objects on the retina of the eye can be transferred to film if you look at it closely. The next reference is in Modern Psychical Phenomena by Hiward Carrington, a renowned journalist and parapsychologist. Heeward wrote that, according to his research, many only pretend to have mastered the technique of "psychic photography", creating fakes with the help of all sorts of tricks. But, nevertheless, the phenomenon itself exists …
The term "thoughtgraphy" was invented in 1910 by Tomokichi Fukurai, professor of psychology at the University of Tokyo. He conducted experiments related to the paranormal features of the human body, working with two telepathic girls - Chizuko Mifune and Ikuko Nagao. Judging by the professor's notes, Nagao could easily transfer pictures from her head to photographic film. This ability Fukurai called "nensha", which is precisely translated from Japanese as "thoughtgraphy".
Unfortunately, the end of the story was tragic. Fukurai published a book "Clairvoyance and Mindgraphy", where he spoke in detail about his work. The book met with a harsh reaction from critics, who called the scientist and his charges fraudulent. Mifune, unable to bear the shame, committed suicide. Nagao became seriously ill and died soon after. Tomokichi Fukurai himself stopped all experiments and left the university.
Ectoplasmic scandal
Fukurai surrendered, but his case was not forgotten. Around the same years, the German psychologist Albert von Schrenck-Notzing was closely engaged in the study of spiritualism and everything connected with it. During his life, he managed to gain fame as a brilliant scientist and a complete madman, and at the same time. His books on the analysis of anomalous phenomena made a splash and were banned several times in various parts of Europe. In 1913, Notzing worked with the medium Eva Carrier. She became famous for her intimidating ability to spew ectoplasm and project the faces of celebrities of the past onto her. Notzing, like many other researchers of his time (for example, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle), was convinced that Eve actually possesses a wonderful gift. He drew a direct parallel between the recently discovered thoughtgraphy and the images on ectoplasm from Miss Carrier, believingthat they are of the same nature. Alas, it was soon discovered that the faces of the "ghosts" on the ectoplasm of Eva Carriere perfectly match the drawings and photos from some well-known newspapers and magazines. The medium was showered with completely legitimate criticism and accusations of falsehood. It should be noted that Albert von Schrenck-Notzing defended Eve to the last, claiming that she did not fake ectoplasm, but simply read magazines, involuntarily transferring images to otherworldly material. If we assume that her gift was similar to thoughtgraphy, that could explain everything. But the scandalous public did not want to hear any theories. Well, then it was not at all up to thoughtgraphy: Hitler came to power. Notzing left Germany, and no one else heard of him.that the faces of the "ghosts" on the ectoplasm of Eva Carriere perfectly match the drawings and photos from some well-known newspapers and magazines. The medium was showered with completely legitimate criticism and accusations of falsehood. It should be noted that Albert von Schrenck-Notzing defended Eve to the last, claiming that she did not fake ectoplasm, but simply read magazines, involuntarily transferring images to otherworldly material. If we assume that her gift was similar to thoughtgraphy, that could explain everything. But the scandalous public did not want to hear any theories. Well, then it was not at all up to thoughtgraphy: Hitler came to power. Notzing left Germany, and no one else heard of him.that the faces of the "ghosts" on the ectoplasm of Eva Carriere perfectly match the drawings and photos from some well-known newspapers and magazines. The medium was showered with completely legitimate criticism and accusations of falsehood. It should be noted that Albert von Schrenck-Notzing defended Eve to the last, claiming that she did not fake ectoplasm, but simply read magazines, unwittingly transferring images to otherworldly material. If we assume that her gift was similar to thoughtgraphy, that could explain everything. But the scandalous public did not want to hear any theories. Well, then it was not at all up to thoughtgraphy: Hitler came to power. Notzing left Germany, and no one else heard of him.that Albert von Schrenck-Notzing defended Eve to the last, claiming that she did not fake ectoplasm, but simply read magazines, unwittingly transferring images to otherworldly material. If we assume that her gift was similar to thoughtgraphy, that could explain everything. But the scandalous public did not want to hear any theories. Well, then it was not at all up to thoughtgraphy: Hitler came to power. Notzing left Germany, and no one else heard of him.that Albert von Schrenck-Notzing defended Eve to the last, claiming that she did not fake ectoplasm, but simply read magazines, unwittingly transferring images to otherworldly material. If we assume that her gift was similar to thoughtgraphy, that could explain everything. But the scandalous public did not want to hear any theories. Well, then it was not at all up to thoughtgraphy: Hitler came to power. Notzing left Germany, and no one else heard of him.and no one else heard of him.and no one else heard of him.
Star of chicago
The most striking example of thoughtgraphy was recorded in the middle of the 20th century, this time in the United States. Chicago messenger Ted Serios showed everyone photos of famous architectural structures created by the flash of the Polaroid and the power of his imagination. Serios' reputation did not shine with purity, he was known as an alokaholic, sociopath, and petty criminal. Almost no one believed in the authenticity of his photographs. Nevertheless, psychiatrist Juol Eisenbad decided to work with him - and achieved incredible results. The experiments in thoughtgraphy lasted more than three years. During this time, Serios took hundreds of pictures: some showed only blurred spots, but others showed people's faces, paintings, buildings, landscapes - everything that Ted Serios could remember or imagine. Over time, he even gave up a full-fledged camera,using an extremely simple device for focusing thoughts: a small plastic cylinder, partially covered with cellophane film, under which there was also a frame protected from light exposure. There and then there were skeptics who suspected a catch: it was quite possible to build a miniature camera into Ted's device, which produced pictures very similar to thoughtgraphic ones. But Dr. Eisenbad watched his ward with the utmost care, not allowing cheating. Ted Serios' reputation was terrible, but he was hardly a charlatan. He never used his abilities to make money - he only entertained friends and casual spectators in drinking establishments. Despite Eisenbad's requests, Ted was unable to give up drinking, and after a few years he completely spent his paranormal powers.a small plastic cylinder, partially covered with cellophane film, under which there was also a frame protected from light. There and then there were skeptics who suspected a catch: it was quite possible to build a miniature camera into Ted's device, which produced pictures very similar to thought-graphic ones. But Dr. Eisenbad watched his ward with the utmost care, not allowing cheating. Ted Serios' reputation was terrible, but he was hardly a charlatan. He never used his abilities to make money - he only entertained friends and casual spectators in drinking establishments. Despite Eisenbad's requests, Ted was unable to give up drinking, and after a few years he completely spent his paranormal powers.a small plastic cylinder, partially covered with cellophane film, under which there was also a frame protected from light. There and then there were skeptics who suspected a catch: it was quite possible to build a miniature camera into Ted's device, which produced pictures very similar to thought-graphic ones. But Dr. Eisenbad watched his ward with the utmost care, not allowing cheating. Ted Serios' reputation was terrible, but he was hardly a charlatan. He never used his abilities to make money - he only entertained friends and casual spectators in drinking establishments. Despite Eisenbad's requests, Ted was unable to give up drinking, and after a few years he completely spent his paranormal powers. There and then there were skeptics who suspected a catch: it was quite possible to build a miniature camera into Ted's device, which produced pictures very similar to thoughtgraphic ones. But Dr. Eisenbad watched his ward with the utmost care, not allowing cheating. Ted Serios' reputation was terrible, but he was hardly a charlatan. He never used his abilities to make money - he only entertained friends and casual spectators in drinking establishments. Despite Eisenbad's requests, Ted was unable to give up drinking, and after a few years he completely spent his paranormal powers. There and then there were skeptics who suspected a catch: it was quite possible to build a miniature camera into Ted's device, which produced pictures very similar to thoughtgraphic ones. But Dr. Eisenbad watched his ward with the utmost care, not allowing cheating. Ted Serios' reputation was terrible, but he was hardly a charlatan. He never used his abilities to make money - he only entertained friends and casual spectators in drinking establishments. Despite Eisenbad's requests, Ted was unable to give up drinking, and after a few years he completely spent his paranormal powers. But Dr. Eisenbad watched his ward with the utmost care, not allowing cheating. Ted Serios' reputation was terrible, but he was hardly a charlatan. He never used his abilities to make money - he only entertained friends and casual spectators in drinking establishments. Despite Eisenbad's requests, Ted was unable to give up drinking, and after a few years he completely spent his paranormal powers. But Dr. Eisenbad watched his ward with the utmost care, not allowing cheating. Ted Serios' reputation was terrible, but he was hardly a charlatan. He never used his abilities to make money - he only entertained friends and casual spectators in drinking establishments. Despite Eisenbad's requests, Ted was unable to give up drinking, and after a few years he completely spent his paranormal powers.
Cultural heritage
Many famous thoughtgraphs have met a sad fate, but others do not despair, following their path. Some of the experiments with "psychic photos" were declared fake, and some did not wait for refutation. Uri Geller is the most famous of the modern sorcerers who own thought-graphics, filming his thoughts on a 35-millimeter camera. In popular culture, thoughtgraphy found its reflection in the world famous horror film "The Ring". The recording on the damned videotape, after watching which, the man died in seven days, was a live transmission from the brain of the dead girl. The writer Koji Suzuki, the author of the book based on which The Ring was filmed, was inspired by the experiences of Tomokichi Fukurai and his concept of Nenshi. Also, thoughtgraphy was an important part of many works that mention the paranormal: remember at least "The X-Files" and "X-Men".
Even the most ridiculous and strange, at first glance, talent can play an important role not only in the lives of individuals, but also in world history. One thing is important - human thought remains the most powerful tool at all times …
Maxim Filaretov