Eisenbud, Jule

Dr. Jule Eisenbud (1908-1999), a researcher in psychoanalysis and psychology, met Ted Serios in 1961. Serios claimed that he had the ability to put images on film with his mind, a claim that Eisenbud later supported after a significant number of successful experiments under tightly controlled conditions. Serios produced the images by placing a paper tube, or "gizmo," on his head, supposedly to channel the paranormal energy, while a photograph was taken of his face from very close range by a second participant. This process was called "thoughtography," and Serios demonstrated his ability until the late 1960s when he seemed to have "lost his ability." Eisenbud wrote a book on his research with Serios titled "The World of Ted Serios" in 1967 and continued to give speeches and defend thoughtography until his death in 1999.

The images that Serios produced using thoughtography consist of "whities", blackies", and various forms of images, often buildings. These images are supposed to relate to randomly selected "target images" chosen without Serios's knowledge beforehand, of which he is asked to determine on his own and create. While some of his thoughtographs have corresponded to the target photos or verbal requests of the observers, the success rate in this regard is generally very low. For example, following a selected target photo of an iron, Serios produced an automobile that was mysteriously shaped like the same iron. In one of his more spectacular feats, Serios produced a clearly distinguishable image of Eisenbud's ranch right on the spot, after Eisenbud's wife Molly suggested that they take a trip there. The majority of the results are "whities" or all white images, and blackies "all black images", which are abnormal themselves because the image produced should have always been Serios. The majority of Serios's successful thoughtographs are of various buildings or landmarks, to which similar photos could often be found in travel books. The images are in various degrees of focus, with many in a "zoomed" in appearance of a small part of a larger image. In addition, many of the images have abnormalities, such as being slightly skewed, turned side-ways, or slight alterations from the corresponding image that could be found to match the thoughtograph.

From the description of Jule Eisenbud Collection on Ted Serios and Thoughtographic Photography, 1931-2001, bulk 1964-1989 (UMBC). WorldCat record id: 262845526