[Thoughtograph, or Psychic Photograph] 1894 - 1898

This small photograph, or thoughtograph, was made by Charles Lacey using techniques of early photography. It's a fragile object; you can see the emulsion lifting at the edges. Photography in this period was a complex blend of science and craft. The photographic process relies on an understanding of chemical reactions, the behavior of light, and precision. But it also relies on skillful execution, which is where Lacey comes in. This image purportedly captures psychic energy. Whatever you make of the claim, it's a testament to the perceived power of the photographic process itself – its almost magical ability to make visible what would otherwise remain unseen. The production of photographs also demanded a complex economy, as new forms of labor were required to mass produce the chemical apparatus, photographic paper, and other materials that made possible the rise of popular photography. This image might be considered pseudoscience, but it emerged from a very real set of conditions that blurred the boundaries between science, craft, and industry.