the memory palace Episode 213: The Light and the Spirits
Mar 7, 2024
Delve into the deception of the Davenport Brothers and the Spiritualism craze in 19th century. Explore the influence of gaslight on spiritualism and how it affected beliefs in ghosts. Discover the mystery behind the strange event involving musical instruments and bound teenagers in 1855 lower Manhattan.
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Davenport Brothers' Séance
- The Davenport brothers performed séances where they seemingly summoned spirits to play instruments in the dark.
- A policeman exposed their trickery by revealing them playing the instruments themselves.
Rise of Spiritualism
- Spiritualism thrived during the 19th century, driven by mediums claiming to connect with the dead.
- Competition among mediums led to increasingly elaborate tricks and illusions.
Light and Belief
- The flickering nature of gaslight, coupled with potential gas leaks, may have contributed to the belief in spiritual phenomena.
- The advent of steady electric lighting coincided with a decline in spiritualism.