Like any other discipline of science, parapsychology has a rich history. Numerous researchers contributed to its development in one way or another, but many of them are almost forgotten by now.

An influential person of the 19th century was industrial chemist Karl von Reichenbach (1788-1869) who is chiefly known for describing a universal and all-permeating force he called 'Od'. 

Although he would have not considered himself a parapsychologist, von Reichenbach’s theory of Od had an important impact on theories concerning spiritualism, psychical research and concepts of vital forces. 



Von Reichenbach's theory of Od was based on a huge number of practical experiments he conducted, but most of them must be considered doubtful from today’s perspective – like his theory of Od as a whole. Nevertheless, von Reichenbach also performed pioneering, but little known experiments into peculiar human faculties that seem to have stood the test of time.

For example, he claimed that certain 'sensitive' persons were able to see luminous emanations around magnets in the dark, and that some could also move a compass needle simply by nearing their fingers to it. I included a review of these little known lines of research in my paper on the work and the life of Karl von Reichenbach, and its aftermath (Nahm 2012).

Personally, I have once on my life, and never again, succeeded in moving a compass needle by nearing my fingers to it. For several minutes, I could repeat this effect as often as I wanted to. Hence, curious as it seems, people must indeed be able to generate a kind of emanation that is able to affect (electro-)magnetic properties of objects, and that is as yet unexplained.  




Karl von Reichenbach (1788-1869),
founder of the theory of "Od"

  
   It is intriguing that an industrial chemist like von Reichenbach influenced spiritualism, psychical research
   and concepts of vital forces. Nevertheless, there are other personalities who influenced psychical research
   and related areas, although they were not their areas of profession.
   A notable example is famous Swiss geologist Albert Heim (1849-1937), who followed numerous interests
   apart from his geological studies.
   For example, the collection of experiences made by falling mountaineers he published in 1892 is considered
   a pioneering study into near-death experiences, and he contributed significantly to advancing suggestion
   therapy, especially the treatment of warts by charming. In a recent article, I presented an overview on
   these little known activities of Heim, focusing on his contribution to studying the charming of warts
  (Nahm 2016).


 
  Another prolific writer and researcher who studied border areas of human existence including
   mediumship, out-of-body experiences and vital forces was Hereward Carrington (1880-1958).

   From a biological perspective, Carrington assumed a vitalistic postion in that he postulated that the
   physiology of organisms cannot be explained by biochemistry alone, but that an energetic or vital force
   must additionally come into play.   
 
   Similar views were held by other parapsychologists of earlier times.
   Carlos Alvarado especially has reviewed these aspects of the history of psychical research in numerous
   publications.




Publications on Influential Historical Personalities


Nahm M (2016). Albert Heim (1849-1937): The multifaceted geologist who influenced research into near-death experiences
       and suggestion therapy. Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing, 12, 256-258.

Nahm M (2012). The sorcerer of Cobenzl and his legacy: The life of Baron Karl Ludwig von Reichenbach, his work and its
       aftermath. Journal of Scientific Exploration, 26, 381-407.  

Alvarado CS, Nahm M (2011). Psychic phenomena and the vital force: Hereward Carrington on “Vital energy and psychical
       phenomena”. Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, 75, 91-103.