Comedians Gareth Reynolds and Dave Anthony explore John Murray Spear and his controversial life and beliefs. They discuss his unique apprenticeship experiences, the creation of the controversial Hangman game, his involvement in spiritualism, his mission to build a robot baby god, and his excavation project in search of a lost race of humans.
John Murray Spear uses mediumship to communicate with spirits and build a perpetual motion machine called the new motor.
Spear becomes a central figure in the spiritualist community, establishing committees to fulfill the desires and visions of the spirits.
Spear and his followers attempt to build a mechanical Messiah called the Electrical Infant, inspired by spirits and meant to bring spiritual enlightenment.
Following the failure of the God Motor, Spear and his spiritualist followers embrace free love as a means to create a new kind of human and continue to promote their ideas.
Deep dives
John Murray becomes a medium for spirits
John Murray becomes a medium for spirits and is guided by them to heal and communicate with the dead. He starts a club called the Association of Beneficents and receives messages from famous spirits like Benjamin Franklin.
John Murray is tasked with building a perpetual motion machine
The spirits instruct John Murray to build a perpetual motion machine called the new motor, which is said to bring immense changes to Earth. John's followers leave their jobs to work on the invention.
John Murray's visions and messages from spirits gain popularity
John Murray's speeches and writings through his mediumship gain popularity and he becomes a central figure in the spiritualist community. He establishes committees and is guided by spirits to fulfill their desires and visions.
The spiritualist community focuses on the creation of a mechanical Messiah
The spirits inspire John Murray and his followers to work on building a mechanical Messiah, a robot called the Electrical Infant, that is meant to bring spiritual enlightenment and freedom to humanity.
The Failed God Machine: A Bizarre Quest to Birth a Motorized Messiah
John Murray Spear and his followers embark on a mission to build a motorized Messiah. They believe that the machine, called the God Motor, will bring about a new age of enlightenment and salvation. They construct the intricate motor with the help of instructions from spirits, including Benjamin Franklin. The machine's purpose is to harness a divine energy transmitted through magnets, creating a gate for spirits to enter the world. However, despite their efforts, the God Motor never becomes operational, leading to disillusionment and ridicule from the public.
Embracing Free Love and Spiritualism
Following the failure of the God Motor, John Murray Spear and his spiritualist followers embrace free love as a path to creating a new kind of human. They believe that practicing free love will birth elevated beings who embody the qualities of the spirits they communicate with. Spear himself enters into a relationship with Caroline Hinckley, a fellow spiritualist, and they have a child together. Despite facing criticism and ridicule from society, they continue to promote their spiritual message and explore concepts of free love.
Retirement and Legacy
After many years of spiritual activism and advocating for their unique beliefs, John Murray Spear eventually retires from being the mouthpiece of the spirits. He passes on his role to another spiritualist and writes a pamphlet about his experiences. Even in retirement, Spear and his wife Caroline remain active in the spiritual community, attending meetings and conventions, and continue to promote their ideas. Ultimately, John Murray Spear passes away in 1887, leaving behind a legacy of unconventional spiritual pursuits and a failed attempt to birth a motorized messiah.
