History Extra podcast A short history of ghost hunting
Dec 15, 2025
Ben Machell, a journalist and author of 'Chasing the Dark,' dives into the intriguing history of ghost hunting and spiritualism. He explores how the Fox sisters ignited a supernatural craze in the 19th century, becoming celebrities through their mediumship. Machell discusses the evolution of spiritualism, its ties to Christianity, and the role of mass media in spreading these beliefs. He also sheds light on modern investigations, including Tony Cornell's methods and the shift to online communities for sharing paranormal experiences.
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The Fox Sisters' Hydesville Breakthrough
- The Fox sisters in Hydesville turned mysterious rapping sounds into a communicative ritual by answering knocks.
- Their claims launched them as celebrity mediums and helped invent modern spiritualist performance.
Spiritualism's Flexible Belief Structure
- Spiritualism wasn't a single creed but an open set of beliefs about consciousness surviving death.
- That openness let people pick elements they liked, fueling its broad cultural appeal.
Science Created The Spiritualist Question
- Rapid 19th-century scientific and technological gains created an existential hole about consciousness and death.
- That 'mechanical universe' anxiety helped drive mass interest in spiritualist ideas.
