EU
  
You are currently viewing the European Union version of the site.
Would you like to switch to your local site?
125 MIN READ TIME

From the Spectral to the Spectrum Radiation in the Crosshairs

JEANNE GOLDBERG

Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen shocked the world in 1895 when he produced the first radiograph of the human body: an his wife’s hand. Whether intentional or that he chose her hand for this epic experiment was fitting because the hand has, through the ages, been an important cultural symbol. In this case, the radiograph of Anna Roentgen’s hand signaled a landmark scientific achievement that was rapidly adopted in many countries.

Roentgen’s discovery occurred during the Victorian Era, a time when other scientific discoveries such as the telegraph, photography, the electric light bulb, the telephone, and radio were made, to name just a few. The Victorian Era, extending from 1837 to 1901, was characterized at the beginning by the strong, pervasive religion of the Church of England. The tension between religion and science was minimal in the early years. As Aileen Fyfe noted, “… religious faith and the sciences were generally seen to be in beautiful accordance … mediated by some form of theology of nature” (Fyfe 2012). This era was one of increasingly robust scientific activity, however, and as the twentieth century approached, the tension between science and religion intensified. Some scientists began to express their opposition to the dogma of Christianity while simultaneously a culture of scientific romanticism thrived. The fact that the general public often didn’t understand the scientific bases for the discoveries contributed to suspicion and paranormal explanations.

Interestingly, Roentgen’s discovery of radiography provided one of the focal areas of convergence of the scientific discipline of physics with this psychic, romantic, paranormal, pseudoscientific movement. Keith Williams, in the article “Ghosts from the Machine: Technologisation of the Uncanny in H. G. Wells” describes the ambivalent feelings of Victorians (the anxieties in addition to the optimism) as scientific discoveries were made. Knowledge of the electromagnetic spectrum enabled the understanding of visible light and color; however, the fact that some of the waves on the spectrum were invisible and could penetrate solid substances (e.g., X-rays) kindled a combination of fascination, fear, and “otherworldly” images. Williams refers to H.G. Wells’s 1898 book The Invisible Man and his other writings as examples of a “strange liaison between spiritualism and science.” In fact, the Society for Psychical Research (SPR), founded in 1882, whose membership consisted of scientists and philosophers, was an example of this type of liaison (Wil-liams 2010).

Read the complete article and many more in this issue of Skeptical Inquirer
Purchase options below
If you own the issue, Login to read the full article now.
Single Digital Issue Sept/Oct 2018
 
€3,49 / issue
This issue and other back issues are not included in a new subscription. Subscriptions include the latest regular issue and new issues released during your subscription. Skeptical Inquirer
Annual Digital Subscription €19,99 billed annually
Save
5%
€3,33 / issue

This article is from...


View Issues
Skeptical Inquirer
Sept/Oct 2018
VIEW IN STORE

Other Articles in this Issue


Editor’s Letter
Why Belief Is So Powerful
For scientists and scientific skeptics, the most powerful word is
FEATURES
THE GOD ENGINE
Belief in the supernatural develops as a natural consequence of the way our brains work, so it should be no surprise that religion is both pervasive and enduring
Multi-Level Menace
Multi-level marketing companies use subtle influence techniques to capture and influence recruits—and you are at risk
I’ve Got Algorithm. Who Could Ask for Anything More?
The news has been filled with discussions of the so-called algorithms of Facebook and other software giants. Originally, the word algorithm had a precise meaning, but more recently it has been used to elicit undeserved respect—and perhaps to avoid deeper scrutiny
Biological Reasons Young-Earth Creationists’ Worldwide Flood Never Happened
Like the geological evidence, biological evidence demonstrates that a worldwide flood never happened 4,350 years ago, as young-Earth creationists believe
SPECIAL REPORTS
On the Set of Cosmos’s Season Two
A top a small hill south of Santa Fe, New
Ghostly ‘Black Monk’ or Random Tourist?
Several British tabloids and paranormal-themed websites reported that a ghostly
COMMENTARY
We Need a Paradigm Shift in Science Advocacy
Considering the Human Concerns of Trust and Tribe
NEWS AND COMMENT
Homeopathy Challenge: German Skeptics Offer 50,000 Euros If Test Is Passed
As most scientists and skeptics know, homeopathy is a sham
Some Good News on Climate: A Big Shift among TV Weathercasters
The U.S. Federal government under the current administration is purging
Crucifixion Evidence Debunks Turin ‘Shroud’
As if there were not already enough evidence debunking the
Small Town Virgin Mary ‘Miracle’: Olive Oil
On Sunday May 20, 2018, a statue of Mary allegedly
INVESTIGATIVE FILES
Outside the Box: Solving Diverse Mysteries
Joe Nickell, PhD, is CSI’s senior research fellow. He is
NOTES ON A STRANGE WORLD
A Telepathy Investigation
Massimo Polidoro is an investigator of the paranormal, lecturer, and
BEHAVIOR & BELIEF
Why Are Millennials Turning to Astrology?
Stuart Vyse is a psychologist and author of Believing in
REALITY IS THE BEST MEDICINE
The Care and Feeding of the Vagina
Harriet Hall, MD, also known as “The SkepDoc,” is a
SKEPTICAL INQUIREE
Caught Between the Possible and the Paranormal
Benjamin Radford is a research fellow at the Committee for
NEW AND NOTABLE
NEW AND NOTABLE
Listing does not preclude future review
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
While Steven Pinker is right in asserting that things are
THE LAST LAUGH
CRYPTOZOOLOGY 101: THE ACADEMICS HAVE A POINT, AND YET ONCE AGAIN THEY MISS A MUCH LARGER ONE
that have largely succeeded in ducking us for thousands of
Future Shock
REVIEWS
An Early ‘Monster’ with an Older History
In cryptozoological terms, the Jersey Devil doesn’t have the cachet
The Case That CAM Is Unethical
Edzard Ernst is arguably the world’s foremost expert on the
Climate Fundamentals: NOVA ’s ‘Decoding the Weather Machine’
NOVA, PBS, “Decoding the Weather Machine,” broadcast April 18, 2018,
This Is Your Brain on Social Media
The use of social media has risen dramatically in recent