CIA-RDP96-00788R002000130011-5

6cm
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TH. Detail Of Paranormal Metal-Bending
By J.B. Hasted and D. Robertson
Birkbeck College (University of London)
Based on a paper delivered at the Second International Conference of the
Society for Psychica! Research at Cambridge, March 1977. Reprinted by permis-
sion from the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, March 1979.
The detection of dynamic strain signals in paranormal metal-
bending 'action' (1) has enabled experimentation to be carried
out on the distribution of the action around the metal-bender.
A resistive strain gauge is mounted on or in a small metal
specimen, which hangs from its screened electrical connections;
electrical bridge, amplifier and chart recorder enable dynamic
strain data to be collected. It is found that the 'action' occurs
in
ts of extension or contraction, rather randomly distributed
in time, often at a rate of about fifty per hour.
An early result of experiments with several independent
embedded resistive strain gauges was the finding (2) that dynamic
strain pulses were frequently registered simultaneously on two en-
tirely separate metal specimens. The data were interpreted in
terms of a crude physical model of a 'surface of action', at
points on which strain pulses occur. The configuration and
movement of this surface with respect to the metal-bending
subject can then be studied.
A further series of studies (3) were conducted with several
independent strain gauges on a single piece of metal. The linear
array of gauges along a thin strip of metal respond simultaneously
to the 'action', but the signals are strongest in the centre of a
'region of action', which extends about ten inches, and can move
slightly from event to event. A series of experiments was also con-
ducted with strain gauges on apposite sides of the metal strip. For a
'pure bend' the signals should be in opposite directions, but these
conditions were only obtained in the limit of infinitely thin metal
strip; for strips of thickness in the region of 1 cm, one strain gauge
receives a much smaller signal than the other, as though the
penetration was incomplete.
Since there is no very strong reason for expecting the signals
to be of magnitude or sense uniformly distributed across the
thickness of the metal, it appears important to investigate the
profile of strains in thick metal specimens. We therefore mounted
six sensors throughout the thickness of a metal speciman, and
coprocted them to six separate battery-operated bridges and
If an array of synchronous paranormal bending signals re-
presents a pure bend with the top face convex, then they could be
shown graphically as a set of data points extending diagonally
from bottom left to top right. A pure extension would be re-
antiers, using two synchronized three-pen chart recorders.
Two different methods of fabricating the sensor were used: in one
the strain gauges were mounted inside slots milled in the metal; in
the other approved For Release 2001/03/07: CIA-RDB96-00788R00200013001445'ically one above the
interleaved with spacers stuck together with epoxy resin; both
methods are detailed in Figure 1. INCL 4
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1. Cross-sections of metal specimens a) Laminar, and b) Solid eutectic alloy,
containing six strain gauges for investigation of dynamic strain profile.
EXPERIMENT WITH STEPHEN N.
Three experimental sessions were held with thirteen-
year-old Stephen N., and simultaneous strain signals were re-
corded at six strain gauges. The thick metal strip was suspended
horizontally radially in front of the subject.
The subject was seated and was able to reach forward his
hand within a few inches of the end closest to him, but part of the
time he did not hold out either hand, and many signals were ob-
served during,these periods. One author would superintend the
working of the equipment, leaving the other free to witness the
action without touch produced by the subject. Members of the
subject's family were often present. The normal time for an ex-
perimental session was sixty to ninety minutes.
When a metal strip is bent, either elastically or plastically, the
convex face experiences extension (positive strain), whilst the
concave face experiences contraction (negative strain). At the
curved neutral surface, in the centre of the strip, there is no change
of strain. If a positive strain were represented by an arrow of length
proportional to its value pointing to the right and a negative strain
by an arrow pointing to the left, then the normal bending situation
could be represented by a series of arrows, as shown at the
left-hand side of Figure 2.
other.
The arrays of signals recorded in experimental sessions are
-
1
1

SN.S
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44
45
46
47
2. Typical profile of dynamic strain signals across the thickness of a metal
specimen. Also shown at the left is the profile that would result from a pure
bend. Signals correspond to quasi-forces of about 20 gm weight.
more complicated than the above. A selection of typical arrays,
actually a series from session S, are shown in Figure 2.
A simple classification of arrays may be made on the basis of
the number of changes of direction in the line joining the data
points. Arrays with no changes are bends; those with one change
are symbolized by the letter V, those with two changes by N, those
with three by W and those with four by M.
In table 1 the numbers of signals arrays of each type are listed.
The action inside the metal is more complicated than might have
been supposed. The phenomenon might more appropriately be
described as paranormal 'metal-churning' than 'metal-bending'. A
strain is localized to a depth of less than about a millimetre, and
may often be accompanied by a strain in the opposite sense at a
eighbouring strain gauge.
It is of course important to verify by other experiments that the
signals do not arise from paranormal action on the electronic
equipment or even on the pen of the chart recorder. Two
subsidiary experimental programmes were mounted for this
purpose. In the first a galvanometer mirror was mounted on a very
thin spring steel strip, with strain gauge attached. One end of the
spring was attached to a horizontal surface under a glass dome,
and an optical beam from a helium-neon laser passed through the
dome and was reflected through it again from the mirror and onto a .
scale. The optical path was about 5 m. Small movements of the
light spot were seen to synchronize with strain gauge signals, and
some ringing was observed, due to the long-period mechanical
resonance of the system.
NO SIGNALS IN DUMMY GAUGE
In the second experiment a dummy strain gauge was included
with real strain gauges on a metal strip. Typical signals were
observed on the real strain gauge chart record throughout the
TABLE 1. Numbers of signals sextets of different profile complexity in Stephen.
North sessions.
Sesston
9
T
Profile
Type
Specimen
type
.
b
Number of
Gradient
Changes
mnd or stretch
11
1
0
V
19
10
2
-
11
11
2
4
18
11
session, but no signals at all were recorded from the dur
gauge. A resistive thermal sensor (Micro-Measurements type
pected with series compensatic
one channel of
the electronics. Inphysical appearance the ther
sensor is very similar to the resistive strain gauge (Micro-Meas
ments type EAOG 125 BT 120) but its resistance is insensitiv
strain although highly sensitive to temperature. Sudden ternp
ture changes are unknown to us in paranormal metal-ben
sessions, although temperature drifts usually occur, arising
environmental causes. Paranormal strain signals, on the o
hand, are sudden, in that they are sharpfronted pulses.
Although these experiments have vindicated the inter
tation that the paranormal action is an internal strain in the m
or strain gauge or both, it must be stressed that dummy ga
techniques have not been used as standard practice in all the
periments reported here. It is our custom to introduce a dur
gauge at irregular intervals, averaging one session in ten.
We now describe the use of the strain gauge as a dete
of directional effects in paranormal metal-bending. The exp
ments on the distribution of signals along the length of a metal
-
Dr. John Hasted with Willi G.
(3) had been conducted using strips of width 8 mm, only jus
ficient to mount the strain gauges. The assumption was ma
analysing the data that the extensions and contractions
directed entirely along the long axis of the specimen (typical
cm x 7.5 mm x 0.75 mm). It was decided to test whethe
directed assumption would be valid on wider metal strips.
We therefore experimented with a strip just sufficiently .
for a strain gauge to be mounted across its width; the dimen
were 13.5 cm x 18 mm x 0.75 mm. Signals were in fact rec(
from action on this strain gauge, but they were much smaller
those recorded on the strain gauge mounted along the major
When a wider strip was used, larger signals were recorded. I
therefore decided to experiment systematically on the direc
of the dynamic strain vectors in sheet-metal specimens.
On long thin specimens, with high axial ratio, there cot
a psychological factor which favours the production of
vectors directed along the major axis. This factor, whose exis
has not been proven, might be investigated on a subse
occasion; but in the first experiments, the safest course wot
to investigate a round or square disc specimen in which the
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spect to the subject and to the horizontal.

AN IMPORTANT PHYSICAL FACTOR
There is also an important physical factor
strain. When tension (positive stress) is applied along a diameter of
a (
ular disc, an extension (positive strain) will be recorded
aloro that diameter, but an equal contraction (negative strain) will
be recorded along the orthogonal diameter. A more complicated
stress produces strains of different magnitudes along orthogonal
diameters. The strain tensor has many components, but it is
possible with three strain gauges to determine two orthogonal
components.
Figure 3 shows the arrangement of the sensors and defines
the angles and magnitudes of the strains. A solution of the problem
of determining the magnitudes and angles 0 and 0 +90 of the ex-
tension and contraction vestors le and Ic from the vectors 11, 12
and 13 recorded at the 'rosette' of strain gauges has been given by
Mr. Jankowski. The equations appear with Figure 3.
12
TT/2
0
1
A
le = atp, le =
2
a-₿
2
I,+ 12
a = 1,+ 12. ª = cos20
0 = > arctan
(213 - 11 - [2)
11+ 12
3. Directions of strain gauges 1,2,3, mounted in rosette. Equations connect the
measured signals / 1, 12, 13, with the extension le and orthogonal contraction Ic.
Two different configurations of the disc with respect to the
subject have been used. In the first the disc is hung vertically and
radially in front of the subject. In the second the disc and electrical
connections are strapped upon the bare forearm of the subject,
who is presented with another target for his 'action'. He normally
extends his arm to hold his hand about six inches from the target,
and the disc rests slightly above the hairs on the forearm.
Cach triplet of dynamic strain pulses represents a positive or
no dve strain in a direction0 and a corresponding strain at 0 +
900. These may be represented on a diagram by two radial lines of
lengths corresponding to the strain magnitude. The signals during
2
20
-
---
30
-
24
4. 'Star diagram' for Stephen North session N. Solid lines represent extensions,
broken lines contractions. Lengths represent magnitudes, numbers indicate the
session numbers of the two corresponding orthogonal signals. Calibrations
show that the largest signals correspond to a quasi-force of about 100 gm
· weight.
:
NO PREFERRED DIRECTION
In the sessions with Stephen N. there were no very strong
preferences of direction. In particular we note session U, in which
a square metal specimen was suspended vertically from one
corner. As appears from the histogram of Figure 5, there is no
particular preferred direction, neither horizontal, vertical, nor
parallel to either side of the square.
Similarly, there is no particularly preferred relationship be-
tween the magnitudes of the corresponding extension and ortho-
gonal contraction signals; for a circular disc suffering a single
radial stress vector we would expect the corresponding signals to
be approximately equal. The histogram of ratios, shown in Figure
5a, demonstrates the absence of preferred ratio. Indeed there are a
certain number of pairs of corresponding signals which are of the
same sign, that is, both extensions or both contractions. These are
not included in Figure 5a. Such signals arise from a stress more
complicated than a single radial vector, and consist of at least a
pair of orthogonal vectors (i.e. simultaneous pulling or pushing by
two pairs of hands). The proportions of such signals are to be found
in Table 2.
It would appear from both types of experiment that there is
turbulence in the strain, localized to distances of the order of a
millimetre or less. Perhaps on some occasions there is action on
the strain gauges alone, hardly penetrating into the metal. As has al
ready been noted, the phenomenon might be termed 'metal-
churning' rather than 'metal-bending'; and it is possible that the
churning takes place on a much smaller scale than we can resolve
with arrays of strain gauges. It requires metallurgical investigatior
of the structure to settle the question; but early investigations (4
disclosed no significant differences between paranormally and
mechanically bent metal specimens.
STRUCTUAL EFFECTS SUBSTANTIATED
The first well-substantiated claim that paranormal action cal
produce structural change was made by Crussard and Bouvaist (5
who investigated the adult French metal-bender Jean-Pierr
Girard. Probably the most significant report they published wa
that physical change could be induced in aluminium alloy
AU4SG-T351 and AU4G-T351, *without actual bending occur
ing. However there was some permanent deformation of th
that the strip became thinner by several microns. TI
microhardness of the metal; an easily detectable enhanceme
a sessiApproved ForRelease-2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP.96-00788R002000130011-5 at many points of th
diagram'. We can see by inspecting such a diagram just what was
action
the directional character of the signals in the session.
17 25
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reachApproved For Release 2001/03/07 CIA-RDP96-00788R002000130011-5
each of the two sides.
scope of the foils from the hardness-enhanced section revealed a
126 -
high density of loop and other dislocations.
122 +
10
SN,O, N,U,Z,CC
8
+
6
N
4
2
..
1
1
0
0-2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1
-
.-
·
-
SN.U
Vertical
Horizontal
N
Parrallel to sides
140 160 0
.20
40
60
80
100
e (deg)
5. a) Histogram of ratios of corresponding extension to contraction signals
obtained during Stephen North sessions. b) Histogram of directions of signals
(Irrespective of their magnitude) obtained in session SNU.
TABLE 2. Statistics of Directional Vectors.
Shape of
·portoen
Rupark#
Number of
extensions
accompanied
Number or
extension+
accompanied
Number of
contractions
accompanied
by contracti.
Square
"id= 5 cm
1)
0
SN Q
A
.
Tvo permanant
deformationp
37
4
1
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.
SN CC
Are mounting.
fractured
118
.
114
Hardness
(Vickers
130
VPN
HV3
126
kg/mm2)
122
118-
114
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
x(mm)
--
6. Paranormal hardness variation at centre of either side of aluminium alloy
Open data points taken by Dr. Desvaux (Leatherhead), closed data points
Bouvaist (Voreppe). Solid lines represent mean of pre-exposure data (ty
points shown as crosses).
This claim is of such significance that it has been a m
of great importance that it be confirmed or disproven.
therefore invited metal-bender Jean-Pierre Girard to London
under witnessing exposed a similarly prepared specime
AU4G-T351 to his action. A small decrease (3 um) in
thickness of the specimen was monitored during exposure. A
wards the microhardness of both sides of the specimen
independently measured by Dr. Desvaux at the Electrical
search Accociation and by Dr. Bouvaist at the Pechiney lab
tories. The comparison between their data is seen to be satisfac
in Figure 6, and a local hardness enhancement is clearly 5
Similar experiments with metal-bending children are in prog
When a metal is bent, physically or paranormally, the v
hardening at the bend is associated with new dislocations. T
are not usually loop dislocations, which can be produce
exposure to nuclear radiation. Metals in which dislocations
induced do not always bend, but internal strains are set up, a
these are of appropriate magnitude and configuration, pl
deformation can occur.
We could make a reasonable supposition that a 'prin
event in the paranormal metal-bending process is the formatii
loop and other dislocations. These need not necessarily rest
actual plastic deformation. In this way both hardness enha
ment and bending could be classed as the same type of e
differing only in geometrical configuration of the action.
PERMANENT DEFORMATION OCCURS
We have seen that the elastic dynamic strain signals
continually in their geometrical configuration (1,2,3). It is
that these represent the dynamic strains caused by the produ
of the dislocations; when there is a sufficient gradient of res
strain, the yield point is reached, and permanent deform
occurs.
Thus the paranormal metal-bending action, albeit lin
macroscopically to a 'surface of action'(2), which is still a t
essentially an in!
.
brought about dislocations in the lattice; this 'information'
wall bo connected with the role of the aliserver in any.
0
er about 30 mm was observed on

mechanics (7) and might be termed 'mentally induced tunnel
effect . OApproved For Release 2001/03/07 ªCIA-RDP96-00788R002000130011-5
force field acting on the metal.
The detailed structure of the surface of action is a kind of
ain of rainfall', enveloping certain lattice points and causing
the onset of loop dislocations. However, these produce hardening
and not softening of the metal, and we recall that there is good
evidence, both in early observations and in unpublished observa-
tions of Crussard and Bouvaist, of temporary and permanent
softening, sometimes so extremee that it has been referred to as
'plasticization' of the metal before fracture.
If we hypothesise that the surface of action is sometimes
capable of specific action at grain boundaries (taking on a kind of
irregular honeycomb configuration), then a softening mechanism
similar to the well-known quasi-viscous creep becomes possible.
In this high temperature process extremely thin layers of atoms at
the grain boundaries actually liquefy; but in the paranormal
plasticization the temperature rise is unobservable, thus implying
extreme specificity of the action, which would have to ensure that
only a minute proportion of the atoms ever reached the high
temperature phase. Electron micrographic evidence for the lique-
faction has been obtained by Crussard and Bouvaist in the
paranormal permanent softening process.
The direction of work in progress is to test the hypotheses that
the dynamic strain signals correspond in number and strength to
the density of dislocations produced in the lattice, and to the
degree of liquefaction at the grain boundaries.
We are grateful to the New Horizons Research Foundation,
and to the Society for Psychic Research for financial support of
these studies.
V B. HASTED, Ph. D. Professor of Experimental Physics;
Head, Department of Physics, Birkbeck College, University of
London, London, England. Pioneered research in opening up
the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum in
communications; specialized training in chemistry, Author of
books on atomic collisions, and on dielectrics, and many
professional papers, including MY GELLER NOTEBOOKS (to
be published).
O
*Aluminum with small proportions of copper and magnesium,
heat treated in a specified manner, for use in supersonic aircraft
REFERENCES
1. J.B. Hasted, "An Experimental Study of the Validity of Meta !- Bending Phenomena".
Journal of the Society for Psychical Research. Vol. 48, No. 770, 1976. pp. 365-383.
2. J.B. Hasted, "Physical Aspects of Paranormal Metal-Sending". Journal of the Society
for Psychical Research. Vol. 49, No. 773, 1977. pp. 583-607.
3. J.B. Hasted, "Paranormal Metal-Bending". in course of publication in New Horizons
(1978). "Features of Paranormal Metal-Bending" in course of publication in Zeit. fur
Parapsychologie und Grenzgebiete der Psychologie. (1978)
4. P. Barnes, J.W. Jeffery, O. Batemen, T. Gate, T. Southern, Birbeck College, University
of London, private communication, 1974.
5. C. M. Crussare and ). Bouvaist, Memoires Scientifiques Revue Metallurgique, 1978,
F
y, p. 117.
6. J.B. Hasted in The Celler Papers. Ed. Charles Panati, Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston.
1976, pp. 183-196, 197-212.
7. E.P. Wigner, "Remarks on the Mind-Body Question" in The Scientist Speculates, Ed.
1.J. Good, Heinemann, London, 1961. Symetries and Reflections, Indiana University
Press, Bloomington, 1967.
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One of Peter's Sculptures

Actually, the first observable thing that ever happe
me wasn't cracking or bending an object, it was mov
Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00788R002000130011-5opened by coincide
The Metal-Bending
school, when I was about seven years old.
Controversy
in Literature and Lab
by SAT BIR SINGH KHALSA
I. INTRODUCTION
II. THE DATA ON PKMB
i) Uri Geller
a) Anecdotal Observations
b) Controlled Observations
ii) Other Individuals Manifesting PKMB
a) Anecdotal Observations
b) Controlled Observations
III. THE DISCUSSION OF THE DATA ON PKMB
i) The Criticisms
ii) The Defense
IV. THE DEEPER ISSUES
i) PKMB In Perspective
ii) Directions For The Future
1. INTRODUCTION
Since a large segment of the published literature on psycho-
kinetic metal-bending (PKMB) concerns itself with Uri Geller, the
first to "demonstrate" it, it is convenient to consider his material
separately in section II - The Data on PKMB. The majority of the
PKMB data has been reported in non-technical journals and is of
an anecdotal nature; the attempts at controlled observations are
therefore considered separately. Discussion of the data involves
issues which, for the most part, are common to both Geller and
the other individuals manifesting PKMB and are considered as a
whole, with presentation of the pro and con approaches respect-
ively. The final section will examine the overall approach to the
PKMB phenomenon, the controversy generated, and some of the
conclusions arrived at.
The goal of this review is to acquaint the reader with the
literature and so consists largely of extracts taken directly from it;
it is hoped that this will allow the reader to come away with more
of a first-hand experience of the issue.
II. THE DATA ON PKMB
i) URI GELLER
a) Anecdotal Material
PKMB first came to attention via Uri Geller whose stage
performances of his ability in Israel began his rise to worldwide
In class I noticed that my watch would show a d
hour than what it really was, which began to happer
frequently. I complained to my mother about the wris
being broken; she examined it and said that it kept god
for her. But it continued to happen, so one day in class 1
off and held it in my hands, watching it very closely. I be
notice that the hands would change their positions
instantaneously - very fast - like dematerializing from or
to another. When I tried the same thing alone, outside of
wouldn't happen; so I realized I had to be in class -
people - for it to happen.
Not long after that, the wristband bent and broke. TI
actually the first time I became aware of something b
and breaking near me. (1)
And then from his autobiography, MY STORY:
I soon began to notice other things besides the ha
watches moving and bending, which made me feel mor
freak. One time my mother had made some mushroom
There was good white bread with the soup, and I dipp
bread into it and ate. Then I started eating the soup w
spoon. I'm left-handed, so I held the spoon in my left ha
took several sips of the soup. My mother was standing
kitchen stove. I was lifting a full spoonful up to my mouth
suddenly the bowl of the spoon bent down and spilled h
into my lap. Then the bowl of the spoon itself fell off. I v
there holding on to the handle. (2)
Geller has had a passion to perform his talents and his pe
ances soon drew attention of the local media, of which h
As far as my performances in Israel are concerned, !
hundred shows and got nearly all positive reaction fro
press, although I was never checked in the laboratorie
scientists. Israel is a small place and by that time
everyone had seen me. But then a very negative article
out accusing me of using laser beams to bend and break
that I had pliers, mirrors, and springs hidden on n
However, the material on Geller from his time in 1:
fragmentary at best, and it was not until parapsych
Andrija Puharich met Geller and brought him to the
States that the published literature on Geller became '
inous.
Now a celebrity, he demonstrated off stage for scienti
journalists which effort has resulted in a large number o
dotal reports.
The classical anecdote of PKMB is one wherein Gelle.
strokes a key or spoon and it then is observed to bend
occasion to fracture. More convincing are those instances
PKMB was reported without physical contact, and exam
this will be presented. Alan Vaughan writes of his exp
with Geller and the editor of "PSYCHIC" magazine:
Taking a hotel room key, Bolen first attempted to be
manual means. He succeeded only in raising a blood
He handed it to Geller who, holding it by the handle, ha
to me. I grasped the key by the large end and put my oth
on top. Geller put his hand lightly on top of mine. He ask
my hands felt any sensation, but they did not. Then he as
to look at it. It was bent about 30 degrees and was still
bending as I watched. The whole procedure was witi
Bolen. (45)
Even more extraordinary was a filmed (movie) exp
ApprovedFor Release 2001/03/07sy-CIA-RDP96-00786R0020001300mysen he was visiting G
including clairvoyance and precognition, but it was the novelty
of PKMB which drew attention. In a 1973 interview he tells us:
Ossining, New York. Bolen first tested a fork to see if i
bend easily manually, but it did not. Then Geller took

and Bolen began to film Geller's actions. "Uri was moving his
.
left thApproved For Release 2009963/07 "CIA-RDP96-00788R002000130011-5eel coil dropped off
fork as I was filming him," says Bolen, "He then said the'metar
vas becoming soft and that it was beginning to bend. I zoomed
. on his hands and the fork. I asked him to open his fingers to
reveal the area. As he did, the prong part began falling away
slowly, as though the metal had become plastic where he had
held it. It then came completely apart, with the prong part
falling down, but as it fell it drew away a short threadlike piece
of metal. I examined both pieces of the fork at the break, which
looked as though it had melted apart. Uri did not seem to feel
any heat. He was excited and I was excited at having captured
this on film, apparently for the first time. It was a heady
experience." In another experiment, Bolen filmed Geller bend-
ing a key . . . (46)
Physicist Wilbur Franklin reported:
Dr. Edgar Mitchell and I first observed Geller fracture a
ring, after which the ring continued to bend by itself as I
observed it lying on the table beside me, on August 25, 1972, in
the home of the venerable psi researcher, Dr. Andrija Puharich.
Parapsychologist Stanley Krippner observed Geller in one of his
performances and wrote:
While a member of the audience grasped the earpiece of a
pair of glasses loaned to Geller by another spectator, Geller
held the volunteer's hand. I was sitting in the front of the room;
as far as I could see, Geller did not touch the earpiece itself.
Soon, the other earpiece began to bend as if tremendous heat
was being applied. The volunteer removed her hand from the
earpiece and the bending continued over the next few minutes,
even though neither Geller nor the volunteer was touching the
pair of glasses. (48)
In
"ENCE NEWS" we have the report:
During the interview, I held a heavy key between my
thumb and forefinger. The key began to bend-too slightly to be
perceptible - after Geller rubbed it lightly with one finger. The
key was then placed on the desk and it continued to bend
slowly for several minutes until it reached about a 20-degree
angle. There was no obvious way the key I supplied could have
been switched. Geller had no chance (by slight of hand or other
trickery) to bend the key by force. And he didn't have a laser up
his sleeve, as some have suggested. (49)
Occasionally, Geller has also been the apparent cause of
"teleportation" or "dematerialization" phenomena, However
we shall confine ourselves to PKMB, save for this report by
physicist Thomas Coohill in the company of 2 other physicists,
among others:
We did not ask Geller to bend anything for us at lunch, nor
did he suggest that he do so. However, after we had easten
Geller and I went into my living room and began talking about
caving (spelunking). After about a minute we both heard a
metallic "clink"; it sounded as though something metallic was
dropped on a solid floor. Looking around, I saw a spoon lying
behind my desk. It was bent.
As I held it in my hand and called the other people into the
room, the spoon suddenly began to bend in another plane (at a
right angle to the handle ... ). It seemed as if the spoon were
observed by all present. (50)
Another report reads:
Geller doesn't necessarily do what you ask him to do, but
ie can handle curve balls nicely - he likes the challenge.
Among other things, I took him a slinky (a spring steel coil
that kids walk down steps) with the idea that he should try to
charApproved For Release 2001/03/07 CIA-RI
deminsion-see Martin Gardner's THE AMBIDEXTROUS
UNIVERSE). Of course, Geller did not such thing. He was like a
boy. with a new toy. He played it like an accordian for a few
seconds then yo-yocd it up and down four or five times
onto the floor-all this right before my (and a friend's) eyes. Did
Geller have a chance to get at this ahead of time? No, that's the
point of bringing a "curveball" device. He doesn't know what
you've brought; can't prepare duplicates, or otherwise tamper
with the "props" as Johnny Carson calls them.
I showed Charlie Reynolds (a Geller critic) another of the
curve balls I had thrown Geller - a set of ceramic magnets.
Geller had made a crack through one of them and then made
half of the broken magnet disappear. Reynolds broke one of
the other magnets by hand. It took two distinct movements and
made a less jagged break: this had also been my experience.
Reynolds' response was that he'd like me to arrange a meeting
with Geller. Unfortunately, Reynolds had already accused
Geller of fraud at the TIME demonstration upon which TIME
partly based its scathing March 12, 1973 story. So Geller
wanted nothing to do with Reynolds. (51)
A common characteristic of Geller's attempts at PKMB is that
he is often unsuccessful, although it is difficult to judge how
often from the literature, since the media prefers to report only
successes. A brief reference to this is given by Dr. Joseph Hanlon,
after a sitting with Geller and Dr. Bernard Dixon:
I gave Uri my housekey, which he worked with unsuccess-
fully.
Dixon commented afterwards that he was struck by the
extent to which Geller stressed his failures - constantly saying
he did not think he could do it and telling us stories about his
failures on TV and elsewhere. Indeed, he talked far more about
failures than successes. (52)
A typical failure of PKMB was reported by Dr. Eldon Byrd:
The first thing I had Geller do was handle the block. (A
metal alloy called nitinol). I told him that I wanted to see if he
could alter the block's hardness. Also, I asked him if he would
try to alter the magnetic properties of the material. He said he
would try to do both.
He handled the block for some time. Finally, he said he
thought he would not be able to do anything to it because he
somehow did not have a "feel" for the material. In a last
attempt to influence the block, he asked for a piece of metal of
any kind, and a brass plate was given to him. He placed the
block on the plate and held his hand over it. Several times he
pressed down on the block, but gave up, saying that he did not
think he would be able to affect the material. (53)
Claims that Geller cheats (uses non-psychic abilities) are not
restricted to his time in Israel.
At least five people claim to have seen Geller actually
cheat. This is a difficult area, because if we cannot trust the
reports of observers who say Geller does miracles, why should
we give any more credence to those who say he cheated? (56)
b) Controlled Observations
There are indeed critics who would argue that there have
been no properly controlled experiments run with Uri Geller, but
for the purposes of this review we shall consider those tests
where investigators made serious attempts at controlled obser-
vation or where they have claimed them to be controlled. One of
Barliest attempts to observe PKMB was made by Russell Targ
and Harold
HAyete
NATURE the results of ESP tests with Geller,
..

One of their tests involved Uri's efforts to affect the weight
·Approved For Release 2001/03/0 7:CIA-RDP96-0078810020001306 1 trickery. (76)
mately a minute. The key was about 15 inches from my
covered by an aluminum can, also on the scale, and then the
Nitinol is a metal alloy Which "has a physical memory fo
shape in which it formed at the time of manufacture." Gelle
his second session with Geller:
entire scale with weight was covered by a glass bell jar to
eliminate the possiblity of deflection by air currents. The entire tested for PKMB with nitinol wire by Eldon Byrd and he writ
experiment was filmed. The first part of our protocol involved
tapping the bell jar; next tapping the table on which the
The diameter of the wire was about 0.5 mm. One
was used as a control and was not taken to Connecticut. /
tape recordings were made during all observations.
apparatus rested; then kicking the table; and finally jumping on
the floor, with a record made on strip chart of what these
artifacts looked like.
C
In this experiment Geller's efforts resulted in deflections
correponding to weight gains and losses on the order of one
gram, well out of the noise level. The signals he produced were
single-sided pulses of about one-fifth-second duration, unlike
the artifacts, which resulted in two-sided ocsillations that
slowly died out. In tests following this experimental run, a
magnet was brought near the apparatus, static electricity was
discharged against the apparatus, and controlled runs of day-
long operation were obtained. In no case were artifacts ob-
tained that resembled the effects that occurred during Geller's
efforts, nor could anyone else duplicate the effects. We have no
ready hypothesis on how these signals might have been
produced. (74)
Dr. John Taylor in England has reported a test which al-
though he feels cannot be regarded as "absolutely fraud proof",
avoids a number of possible fraudulent techniques available to
Geller.
... Geller stroked the upper surface of a strip of metal
which was screwed down to the top of a letter balance. The
pressure he was applying could be monitored directly by the
balance dial (accurate to 7 grams) as well as measured
automatically by a shielded metal plate placed vertically above
the metal top of the balance and connected to a quadrant
electrometer (sensitive to 5 oz.). A bending of 10ºoccurred in
one session, which I closely observed, during which no
pressure greater than 10 grams was applied. In any case the
bend was upwards. This experiment is presently being repeated
with videotape. (75)
Parapsychologist and magician William Cox is confident of
his test for PKMB with Geller. He reported in the JOURNAL OF
PARAPSYCHOLOGY:
My hope was to witness static PK under what could be
considered adequate safeguards. Being a magician myself,
unknown to Geller, I also wished to allow opportunity for
trickery in the event Geller intended to employ such means ...
For the first test we used a flat steel key of the safety-deposit
box type, untoothed and much too hard to bend by hand. I
intentionally allowed Geller to handly it, whereupon he asked
if I did not have an ordinary key instead. I said "No," and he
replied, "Well, I'll try to do something with this one." He laid
my key on a glass coffee table in front of the couch on which he
was sitting, and we both noted its absolute flatness upon the
glass. I was seated at one end of the coffee table. I placed my
right forefinger lightly on the larger end of the key, and Geller
gently stroked the remainder with his right forefinger. The key
began to bend slowly at a point just beyond my finger, stopping
at above 6º. Any pressure he might have applied would have
been against the direction of bend. I removed my finger and let
him rock the bent key upon the glass table.
I then placed a small mirror in the palm of my left hand and
held it under the glass of the table so that I could have a clear
view of the under side of the key. I then returned the key to its
Approved For Release 2001/03/07 & CIA-RDP96-00788R00200010001145on it:
to a total of 121/4º. His stroking was light, since it did not cause
the key to rock beneath my forefinger. All of this took approxi-
i held one of the other pieces by both ends as
previously done and Geller stroked it as before. A kink for
took a second piece of wire, held it by one end, and (
stroked it unilaterally. It, too, developed a kink. The third
of wire was given to Geller to do with as he pleased. He ro
between his thumb and forefinger and it kinked shar
Geller had clearly influenced the alloy nitinol in a
unusual way: it was as if the kinks he produced had ac
been manufactured into the wires, even though it had
conclusively determined before any experimentation th
permanent configuration of the wires was that of straight
No explanation has been given by nitinol experts, who
been consulted as to how kinks could have been fo
without using high temperatures and mechanical stress
chanically produced kinks in nitinol leave obvious mar
the surface of the wire. Geller-formed kinks do not.
Byrd concludes:
All of the bends that Geller had produced thus for a n
wire have been permanent deformation - the wires ca
crumpled or twisted into any shape by hand, but on
heated to a temperature of about 210ºF. all the wires ret
the shape Geller had imposed upon them.
How did Geller achieve such results? At the pre
have no scientific explanation for what happened during
testing periods. I can say that the possibility of fraud on Ge
part can be virtually ruled out. (77)
A team of scientists in England consisting of John Ha
David Bohm, Edward Bastin and Brendan O'Regan observe
following phenomenon:
The plasticization, by handling, of about 2 cm of the
of a stainles steel teaspoon (phenomenon 7) took place
course of informal conversation around a desk. The teas
which had previously been handled and bent through
thirty degrees by a child who also displays PK ability, was
by Mr. Geller for a few seconds, when the center be
floppy. A witness was able to take from Mr. Geller the two
of the spoon in either hand while the center was still pla
was then handled very much as a heated glass tube is whi
bent to a desired angle in the laboratory. In this wa
plasticity could be clearly verified by movement of the ha
the witness. The witness attempted to set the spoon at an
angle, and to put it down on the table; it retained itself
piece on the table for a few minutes, but due, presumal
thinning of the neck by the flow of metal, its strength v
small that a slight disturbance fractured it. The weight
the fractured spoon was almost within the estimated €
mental error. Electron micrographs of this fracture are
preparation; the procedures used are similar to those t
another study of a similar fracture obtained in the experi
of Professor J.G. Taylor. (78)
John Hasted reported a PKMB test attended by physici.
Sarfatti:
Geller likes to have such specimens on a metal plat
sheet of steel was laid on the table, and the following se
1. Two key rings with keys attached to them.
2. Four loose latchkeys.

.
3. A thin steel tube containing a thermocouple.
NEW SCIENTIST, and his overall evasiveness, Joseph Hanlon
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5. A single crystal ingot of vanadium carbide.
6. A single crystal disc of molybdenum, 0.22 mm thick and
1 cm in diameter.
7. A single crystal bar of silicon.
8. A length of steel rod, one inch in diameter.
9. An annealed copper disc with a hole in the middle.
None of these objects had been in Geller's hands, and he
did not touch them while they were laid out. Jack Sarfatti
stretched his hand out above the objects, and Geller then put
his hand on top of Sarfatti's. After a few seconds, Jack reported
feeling a sharp tingle in his hand, and when both hands were
withdrawn we examined the objects. The only one showing an
obvious change was the molybdenum single crystal disc,
which had been perfectly flat beforehand, but was now bent
slightly.
This single crystal, and some others we have used, had
been given to us by Dr. Tony Lee, of the Cavendish Laboratory,
Cambridge. It was of high purity, better than 0.99999. Some
weeks later, when I showed the crystal to David Rooks, who
was going to photograph it, we noticed that it was very slightly
attracted to the tweezers he was using. Of course molybdenum
should not be ferromagnetic, so I suspended the crystal be-
tween the poles of an electromagnet and found it to be quite as
ferromagnetic as commercial molybdenum, which contains
eighty parts per million of iron. I therefore sent the single crystal
for neutron activation analysis to the Scottish Universities
Reactor Centre. How this impurity got into pure crystal is still a
puzzle. (79)
Finally we have a report by physicist Wilber Franklin using a
strain gauge apparatus.
The experiment was videotaped, using three TV cameras
at different angles.
A steel specimen, a" thick by 1/2" wide by 8" long, was PKMB, also has served as the catalyst for the other individuals
clamped to a tripod in the set-up shown in Fig. 1. After 29 found to have the ability. However, there is one historical case
minutes of unsuccessful effort by Uri, a highly-structured reported by D. Scott Rogo in an article by Mrs. I.K. Reno in 1905:
strain-gauge reading was recorded, shown in Fig. 2. This
occurred just as the scientists and Uri stepped back a few feet
'from the apparatus, when the strain-gauge recorded the psi-
effect. Meanwhile, another probe (see Fig. 1) attached to the
end of the beam -- which was sensitive only to vertical displace-
ments-recorded no bending.
Geller had little or no knowledge of the experiments I
would conduct, or of the one i would choose for him to
concentrate on doing.
When the results of this highly controlled test are con-
sidered-along with the large number of repetitive results
observed by Hasted and by at least four other laboratories-the
influence of the volition of human subjects on metallic strain,
and/or the associated equipment, seems to have met the
requirements of scientific validity. In other words, the force of
will can and does, in my opinion, affect matter. (80)
As in the anecdotal literature, Geller is not able to reproduce
PKMB totally at will in every controlled situations. This was a
problem that the Stanford Research investigation Targ and Put-
hoff ran into: .
We spent the next several weeks attempting to film or
videotape any sort of metal-bending under controlled labo-
'atory conditions. One of Geller's main attributes that had been
eported to us was that he was able to bend metal from a
distance without touching it. In the laboratory we did not find
him able to do so. When he was permitted to touch the metal,
beApproved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP06-00788R00200013001w5elt the spoon drooping
Beyond this difficulty investigators had further problems in
working with Geller. Conceming a planned experiment with
Uri has backed out on a written commitment to work with
the NEW SCIENTIST. He backed out on a verbal commitment to
work with the Maimonides Medical Centre Division of Para
psychology and Paraphysics in Brooklyn, New York. (83)
In a letter, Charles Honorton of Maimonides confirms:
Dr. Hanlon correctly states that Geller backed out of a
verbal commitment to work in our laboratory.
Geller, of course, did not show up and after several
repeated inquires, we learned from his staff that there had been
a "miscommunication" regarding our commitment; that while
he very much wanted to work with us, Uri was too busy to do
so. He has continued to be too busy to do so. (84)
Geller's personality has indeed been in the way of invest-
igators and the PKMB phenomoma, so much so that a number of
parapsychologists feel that Geller is not a viable subject for study
even though they may be confident that he can exhibit PKMB.
Stanley Krippner writes:
Geller has been of little help in the field of psychoen-
ergetic research; however, if he has drawn enough attention to
the paranormal to interest some capable scientists in studying
PK effects, his career will have served a useful purpose.
Researchers may have learned lessons from the Geller affair
and do better when a similar subject comes along. Researchers
should think twice before spending their time and lending their
prestige to an entertainer. (85)
(ii) Other Individuals Manifesting PKMB.
a) Anecdotal Data.
Uri Geller who is not only the most well known agent for
The Reno article concerned a rather conventional polter-
geist outbreak centering on a family who lived in southern
Georgia. The first manifestations noted by the family were
spontaneous object-throwings. However, shortly after the in-
ception of the poltergeist, the family witnessed a series of events
which seem identical to what we have now labeled the "Geller
effect." The article reports: "Frequently during the meal hour,
milk, tea, coffee, and soup were flung into the faces of those at
the table, several times inflicting painful scalds and burns.
Spoons were broken, or suddenly twisted out of shape in their
hands." (86)
Otherwise the manifestation of PKMB by an individual has
begun after learning of Geller's ability, especially after exposure
to a media program where Geller has performed. This phe-
nomena has perhaps been most widely documented in Britain. A
second hand report of a youth named Matthew Manning reads:
One night, being then seventeen, he was watching a TV
special, "Uri Geller: Is Seeing Believing?" in which the Israeli
psychic was demonstrating his metal-bending techniques
when suddenly his mother exhorted him to see if he could
match Geller. He didn't expect anything to happen, but to
please his mother he grasped a stainless steel spoon and, while
Geller was on the tube, started to rub it.
For a good ten minutes, not a thing happened. Then the
boy's father walked into the room, and as happens in so many
cases of this kind, the sudden distraction, the break in concen-
like heated wax, and it continued to bend until it resembled a
hairpin. (103)
...

Another report from Britain relates a typical incident:,
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Cantor study). Children and adults throughout the country
Finally, is an excerpt from a report to the Swiss Soci
television appearance:
described their own PK gift. One seven-year-old boy made Parapsychology, the phenomenon occurring after Geller"
front-page news in a national paper, the DAILY MIRROR. "I
decided to have a go after seeing that man on TV," he said. "1
just think about the fork bending and it does. It was bit
frightening at first-but there's nothing to it." The child's
mother commented: "It has to be seen to be believed. It's just as
well my husband runs two cafes, or we would be out of cutlery
within days." Her husband admitted he was skeptical, "until I
saw him perform the feat. Now I've seen him bend half-a-
dozen forks without any failures." One of the paper's journal-
ists saw the boy demonstrate. After twenty minutes a fork "was
virtually bent double," he wrote. (104)
In the journal NATURE, Harry Collins and Brian Pamplin
reported:
Sir, -We have investigated six young people who claimed
the power of the bending objects by stroking in the manner
demonstrated on television recently by Uri Geller and others.
In this report we will call these people A,B,C,D,E, and F.
Subsequently, Dr. Pamplin appeared on BBC "Points
West" local television news programme when B demonstrated
her ability quite convincingly. The parents of DE and F
subsequently contacted Dr. Pamplin claiming that their child-
ren could also bend cutlery by stroking.
Most of the subjects were first visited in their own homes
where they showed their ability in the casual atmosphere of
their sitting rooms. A succeeded in bending a weighed and
measured rod of mild steel of 3/10ths inch diameter supplied
by the experimenters as well as her own cutlery. (105)
From Denmark there is more anecdotal material provided by
›arapsychologist R.D. Mattuck in RESEARCH IN PARAPSYCHO-
LOGY 1976:
Lena Ilsted D, is an 18-year-old Danish girl who discover-
ed her PK abilities after Uri Geller's visit to Copenhagen in
January 1974. At the time of this investigation, she was studying
languages at a gymnasium (junior college) in Denmark. Lena
and I conducted 11 experimental sessions together, during the
period April 1974 to March 1975, in the presence of her
parents. In the first seven sessions, she was able to achieve
striking effects, but not when adequate controls were exer --
cised. Some of her insufficiently controlled phenomena were:
bending 3.2 mm iron nails through 45º, changing the position
of the hands on a watch by several hours, and causing 15
deflections of a compass needle. (106)
.
From Germany, parapychologist Lusi Wendlandt is quoted
conceming two more children manifesting PKMB:
"One boy was able to mentally stop an electric saw that
was cutting down a tree near his home," she reports. "We ask
parents and witnesses for accounts of the phenomenon, but one
of the biggest problems we have is obtaining better documen-
tation.
"We gave the other boy, who lives in Switzerland, metal
teaspoons placed in plastic flasks. These are first sealed by an
attorney. At first we used glass bottles, but he returned them
broken:
"At that time we thought he was just another trickster, but
he denied this, claiming the bottles broke while flying around
the room during the bending.
"After we switched to plastic containers," she continued,
"a strange thing occurred." The spoons inside two of the flasks
Approved For Release 2001/03/07vedGIARDP96-00788R002000130041+5 strain pulses are pro
"However, even though the seals appear untouched when
the flasks are returned, professional magicians claim they can
break and reseal flasks. So we still can't call this foo
"After we completed the second test, Edith Aufder
complained of a severe headache. Now, she and I we
ourselves. The others had left. While we were sitting
living-room table, Edith picked up a teaspoon. Slowl
began to rub it, almost as if she were caressing it.
watching her closely. After a few moments the spoon be
bend, without any physical pressures whatever. Durin
next few hours she repeated this performance with two
tional teaspoons, as well as with a solid steel pin and a
steel nail clippers." (108)
Many of those individuals manifesting PKMB other
Geller are children (they have been dubbed "mini-Gelle
some), however there are similarities to Geller other tha
PKMB itself. As with Geller, the ability seems to wax and
and is not 100% reproducible on command. In addition the
also reports of cheating on the part of some of the chil
Examples of the two characteristics will follow a sun
controlled observations on the other individuals manife
PKMB.
b) Controlled Observations
As with Geller, successful controlled observations a
plentiful, however what has been published indicates abili
least equal to those reported for Geller. In Britain, John !
working with a number of children has reported much
work.
Hasted's subjects succeeded in a wide range of e
ments, including the psi-bending by children of small dia
wires encased in hollow glass globes, usually withi
minutes. Curiously, the bending always required a hole
globe (2-10 mm), although skilled craftsmen, using s
tools, could not bend the wires as quickly as could the ch
using no tools. Some children could psi-twist long thin m
bars at the rate of 2-3 rotations per second while one of hi:
subjects recorded a torque at the limit of human strength,
Another report reads:
In one of his experiments, Hasted made simulta
electronic measurements of the PK "strain" on three
which were suspended from the ceiling of the labor
equidistant and out of reach of his young subject. The
show a comparable, but not exactly identical, force aff
all three keys simultaneously.
In another study, aluminum strips which were left al
a room became twisted and braided like pigtails within a
of seconds. The subject was in an adjoining room. Elec
strain gauges recorded a force on the metal unlike anythit
would be seen by normal human bending. (120)
Finally is a report by Hasted RESEARCH IN PARAPSY
LOGY 1976, where a sensor consisting of a resistive strain ;
was the measuring instrument. Andrew G. is one of the ch
in the Cantor study:
This apparatus has been used with several subjec
cluding Nicholas Williams (age 17) and Andrew G. (ag
Use of two and of three sensors simultaneously with Wi
at seven sessions has produced synchronous signals .
when an otherwise undetectable moving "active su
encounters and passes through the sensors. The sensc

suspended from their electrical connections so as to define a
line Approved For Release 2001/03/07 .CIA-RDP96-00788R002000130011sent metal forks and
who is, so far as is possible, kept relatively st
seated at a working surface and occupied in building model
aircraft. He knows of the positions of the sensors and is asked to
bend the latchkeys. The typical distance from the subject to the
sensors is five meters, and between the sensors, one to three
meters. The subject does not in general have direct contact with
the latchkeys.
The total number of strain pulse events recorded was 81.
Many contained considerable "fine structure," which indi-
cates flexibility of the "surfaces." Typically, no visible bend
results. The most usual configuration of the surface is vertical,
and extending outwards from the subject, as opposed to
extending around him. To a small extent the subject has learned
to produce synchronous signals in other configurations. Since
synchronous signals can be obtained with sensors on opposite
sides of the subject the surface may be considered to contain
his person. A surface has been known to extend in length to
about 10 meters. The rate of travel of a surface between sensors
is in the range of 10 to 100 cm/sec. On encountering a
screening obstacle a surface flexes its shape around it, so that
partial screening of the sensor advances or delays a strain
pulse; a metal screen can augment the intensity of the strain
signals and bring about bending and fracture.
The folding of pairs of thin metal strips and the twisting of
pairs of wires have been recorded on many occasions. (121)
From Japan we have indications of controlled experiments
from a brief notation:
After the visit of Uri Geller to Tokyo, Japan, in 1973,
thousands of Japanese children apparently manifested similar
paranormal powers. Eight of these children were investigated in
1974 by Dr. Shigemi Sasaki, professor of psychology at the
Denki Tsushin University, Tokyo with a team of fifteen re-
searchers. Laboratory tests were devised to test PK (psycho-
kinetic ability) and metal-bending. One 12-year-old (jun Seki-
guchi) demonstrated an amazing ability to bend spoons para-
normally, and also recharged dead electric batteries by merely
holding them. Dr. J.B. RHINE of Durham, N.C., commented:
· "The tests in Tokyo have shown that PK power exists among
many of their children. The research is of great significance."
(122)
As mentioned earlier all of these individuals cannot perform
PKMB completely at will, and again as with Geller, the critics have
been quick to point out that failures are more common under
controlled conditions. A.J. Ellison together with a select group of
investigators could only report little success with child subjects.
We started these experiments with the children's attempts
at the familiar spoon bending with closed-circuit television
recording, and then went on to the single crystal specimens.
Every specimen was accurately weighed before and after each
trial. We had little success except that one of the single crystal
specimens fell in half while being stroked. (127)
Cheating has been observed with child metal-benders after
an investigation of those claiming to have PKMB ability. Hans
Bender reports:
This enterprise made us acquainted with a number of
persons, mostly youths, who claimed to be able to bend metal
objects repeatedly, especially spoons. Most of them were
tricksters. One demonstrated spoon bending before our eyes
but failed when we tried to film it. Another moved metal objects.
under his hand; we were able to document the phenomenon on
Since 1975 I have done experiments with the Swis
designer Silvio, the most important genuine metal-bender we
spoons by holding them between two fingers have beer
recorded on videotape, as well as sessions in which he has ben
a plastic spoon, silver coins, and an untouched spoon. In one
session, Silvio was studied by Dr. Betz of the Institute of Physic
of Munich University; he remarkably increased the resistance
of an electrical device. The collaboration with physicists wil
be continued. (123)
In France, another adult subject has appeared by the name o
Jean-Pierre Girard. The research here is by several teams o
investigators and appears to be of high quality. The parapsycho
logist and magician, William Cox reports:
Jean-Paul Girard, a Parisian chemical firm employee who
claims to be able to bend metal by PK, gave filmed demon-
strations at Freiburg, West Germany, on September 4 and 5
1976. Prof. Hans Bender was an observer and W.E. Cox was the
experimenter. Nine bendings occurred in six bars (5/16 in. to
5/8 in. in diameter and under 1 ft. long) under close scrutiny
and without any apparent physical explanation. (124)
William Wolkowski of the University of Paris, after prelimi
nary observations with Girard writes:
We then embarked on a more sophisticated experimen
which consisted of sealing different metal objects in Pyrex glas
tubes; these were completely sealed with a torch. They were
weighed with a precision of 10-4 grams and measured with
precision of 10-4 meters, and were left with Girard. Inside we
had placed different metal objects such as metal paperclips and
steel springs of the coil kind; when they were returned to u
they were quite remarkably bent, from 10º to 30º. The stee
spring, for example, which was straight at the beginning, wa
now so distended that at one point it could no longer move
freely in the Pyrex tube. All the tubes were still the same weight
and the same dimensions, and the glass blower could not detec
any tampering. (125)
In February, 1978 an extensive research report appeared i
the French metallurgical journal MEMOIRES SCIENTIFIQUE
REVUE METALLURGIE concerning the PKMB of metal specimer.
by Girard. The authors were C. Crussard and J. Bounvaist. A sho
extract (translated) reads:
Here we will describe the test made on the thickest ba
This was.a bar 17 mm in diameter and 300 mm long made (
alloy AU2 (2.05 c/c copper) in state T4 (hardened in cold wate
and aged for one year). Reference marks were engraved in th
mass of this bar, and the placement of small characteristic flav
were noted.
During the tests, the two experimenters sat at about a me!
away on either side of J.P. Girard, who worked in shirtsleeve
with his sleeves rolled up, without contact. J.P. Girard d
formed this bar four times in succession by holding one end
his right hand and lightly touching the free part with his le
hand ..... or by placing his left hand five cm above the specime
After each deformation, one observer took the profile of the te
bar, while the other remained next to J.P. Girard. The ty
largest deformations ..... could be seen with the eye: both we
produced toward the bottom during a time on the order
10-20 seconds. After each deformation, it was verified that
heating up could be detected by touching the bar with t
hand, and that the bends made without force by J.P. Gira
Approved For Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00788R002000130gidgy 34 relative to the init
The European parapsychologist Hans Bender has also report-
ød on an adult subiect in a research brief.
bending plane mentioned above), marked by the groos
indicated above. (126)

III. THE DISCUSSION OF THE DATA ON PKMB
ApprovedFF81 Release 2001/03/07 : CIA-RDP96-00788R00200013001145absurd, also manifests
In considering the criticisms of the recorded data on PKMB
we shall confine ourselves to the "controlled data" where para-
psychologists and other scientists are the experimenters, since it
is these observations which will carry the most weight if conclus-
ions are to be arrived at. Research in this area is unique in that
fraud can exist at the level of the subject being observed. One
can therefore assess the quality of an experiment in PKMB by
refering to the two factors which can screen out the possibility of
fraud, namely, physical controls and experimenter competence
in detection of fraud. Indeed, the criticisms involve one or both
of these.
In addressing the topic of adequate controls and safeguards,
parapsychologist D. Scott Rogo has written:
While I am open to the possibility of there actually being a
PK-mediated "Geller effect," to this date I have found little
evidence of such a process either in my own investigations or
when critically evaluating the evidence and tests of others.
(133)
A critique of work on PKMB done by South African parapsy-
chologist E. Alan Price reads in part:
Objects already secretly bent can be held even by a child
to appear straight until the "power" is to take effect. Weakened
metal can be bent more easily with concealed pressure. Old
timepieces can often begin running again after a hidden
shaking. A discussion of numerous other methods would fill
books; in fact such books are present on magicians' shelves and
have become more frequently available to lay people.
Dr. Price seems to be well aware that carefully controlled
laboratory experiments will be required to obtain definitive
evidence of the "Geller effect." In providing possible subjects,
his report is no doubt valuable. These reports themselves may
be preliminary evidence of great undiscovered abilities. It
should be understood, however, that phenomena "occurring in
good light in the presence of responsible, outside observers"
may just as likely be evidence of another ancient and well-
known ability-the ability to deceive. (134)
The experimenter competence in detecting fraud has been
substantially written by the critics. Martin Gardner of SCIENTIFIC
AMERICAN is a confirmed skeptic.
Any magician will tell you that scientists are the easiest
persons in the world to fool. It is not hard to understand why. In
their labortories the equipment is just what it seems. There are
no hidden mirrors or secret compartments or concealed mag-
nets. If an assistant puts chemical A in a beaker he doesn't
(usually) surreptitiously switch it for chemical B. The thinking
of a scientist is rational, based on a lifetime of experience with a
rational world. But the methods of magic are irational and
totally outside a scientist's experience.
The general public has never understood this. Most people
assume that if a man has a brilliant mind he is qualified to detect
fraud. This is untrue. Unless he has been thoroughly trained in
the underground art of magic, and knows its peculiar prin-
ciples, he is easier to deceive than a child. (137)
In writing of the Geller controversy, Bernard Dixon, editor of
NEW SCIENTIST, adds that experimenter bias is a contributing
factor to experimenter competence to detect fraud.
Another lesson of recent months has been that scientists
are not necessarily as critical, sceptical, and obervant as their
craft should require them to be. Putting aside the quite separate
question of active willingness to believe, many trained scien-
at its face value. The curious fact here is that the closed n
shown by the scoffer who dismisses all talk or evidence o
among researchers who are drawn into positive belief fo
very reason that the evidence appears to conflict with
previous conceptual picture of the world. There is, surel
intriguing field here for psychological research into the
chinery of belief. (139)
Another factor is one of viewpoint in the experim
situation.
The matter of who is actually in control may objective
quite different from the vantage point of the experimente
the subject. When Houdini escaped from a prison c
presume the prison warden thought he was in control an
Houdini. When Randi fooled the editor of PSYCHIC NEW
: editor presumed he was in control. The whole point of de
tion is to secretly have control in a way unknown to the
tator/experimenter. (140)
Through Randi some professional scientists have seen
hand the full meaning of competence to detect fraud.
certifying Geller as manifesting PKMB, physicist Jack Sa
retracted in SCIENCE NEWS:
I have witnessed The Amazing Randi fracture meta
move the hands of a watch in a way that is indistinguish
from my observation of Geller's "psychokinetic" demor
tions. Also, I am advised of Randi's demonstration of ca
bursts in a Geiger counter and of deflecting a compass nec
reported in a letter from Kings College, University of Lo
(July 11, 1975) signed by Maurice Wilkins, F.R.S., and
other faculty associated with the Department of Biophy
(143)
The critics have put much of PKMB research into a
perspective, and although demonstrating that fraud was p
ble, it does not prove that fraud occurred: Scientists do red
strong quarantees of fraud proof conditions, both physical
experimenter based.
ii) THE DEFENSE
In response to the criticisms, it seems that the major
parapsychologists have agreed, and have attempted to i
porate suggestions. Parapsychologist A.J. Ellison in a lett
NEW SCIENTIST states:
I fully agree that physical scientists can be exceed
naive when outside their own fields -well known to magi
and parapsychologists. Experience of working with a varie
genuine psychics, preferably over some years, is esse
training for an investigator. There are many factors invo
primarily relating to psychological matters and especiall
unconscious mind. It is sad to see recently "conver
physical scientists trying to investigate parapsychological
ters outside their field of experience. A year or so ago son
us formed a multi-disciplinary committee to study the so-c
Geller-type phenomena and included physical scientists,
chologists, a doctor, and a magician (with a second ex
ionaly knowledgeable consultant), several of those men
having deep experience of parapsychology. Experiments
ned by such a committee for Geller and the many others cl
ing similar faculties in the light of all that is known abou
diffcult and recondite subject seem to me to be most like
lead to something useful. (146)
Approved For Release 2001/03/07 - CIA-RDP96-00788R002000130011-5reported where this
more willing than might be supposed to accept the unexpected has been confronted. Hans Bender reports:

A professional magician, Rolf Mayr, drew our attention to
a 33-year-old Swiss designer, Silvio the wanted to hide his
family Approved For Release 2001/03/07 - CIA-RDP96-007881002000120011-5
who, to his great surprise, convinced him of the genuineness of
is performance. In a most welcome collaboration with this
.nagician we started an investigation of Silvio's metal-bending
abilities with the intention of documenting his performances by
films and videotapes. We brought along a professional camera-
man and provided spoons and forks that we had examined and
marked. Our first success came in December 1974. Silvio held
the object between his index finger and thumb at its thinnest
part; from time to time he held the thumb of his left hand over
the fingers of his right hand. Without the spoon's being rubbed,
the scoop of the spoon bent with a bending radius of over 70
degrees. In this first sitting, Silvio bent five spoons, breaking two
of them; he also bent a massive fork in an upward direction, as
had intended.
We feel that our collaboration with the professional ma-
gician is a very favorable condition for obtaining results which
ought to convince even professional skeptics. We hope that the
secular controversy between parapsychologists and magicians
can one day be transformed into the kind of cooperation we are
achieving in our Berne experiments. (148)
Data with Geller as subject and magicians as experimenters
are documented. Arthur Zorka of the Occult Investigations
Committee of the Atlanta Society of Magicians reports:
The tests took place in a room which contained no mirrors,
no windows, and one door, by which we entered. The door was
locked behind us. Mr. Dickson (also a member of the com-
mittee), Mr. Geller, and I sat facing each other. No one else was
present or in the near vicinity of the testing area.
The first test involved Uri Geller's attempt to bend a fork
/hich I provided. The fork was made of forged steel, with a
nylon reinforced handle. I specifically selected this fork be-
cause of its extreme resistance to physical stress. I placed the.
fork into Mr. Geller's outstretched left hand. His fingers curled
around it, and in moments, without the fork leaving my sight for
even an instant, it literally exploded, sending fragments of the
handle across the room. (149)
Magician Leo Leslie reports:
After his demonstration of telepathy Geller tried psycho-
kinesis. A nickel-plated, enameled key was given to Geller. He
asked the journalist who was present to hold the key between
two fingers. Geller then rubbed it a couple of times, very lightly,
with his forefinger. "I can't do it," he suddenly said. "You have
done something to this key. I cannot get in contact with the
metal." I immediately suspected that Geller probably uses a
chemical to soften metal, and that with the coating on the key
he felt defeated. I took the key from the journalist and studied it
closely. But while I sat looking at the key the enamal suddenly
started to crack, and a second later strips of the nickel plating
curled up like small banana peels, while the key actually
started to bend in my hand. (150)
There are critics who are beginning to look more favorably at
some of the PKMB research. Concerning Jean-Pierre Girard and
his investigator C. Crussard, Joseph Hanlon wrote:
Crussard involved a magician at an early stage-the
French illusionist Ranky has issued a public statement saying.
that in the tests he watched, he could not see how Girard could
have used tricks. And his involvement more recently of Randi,
probably the best spoon-bender in the magic business, con-
tinues to show that these experiments are on a much higher
level. Chris Evans commented: "I was impressed by their
honApproved
very strongly that they al
eir determination to do things properly. I feel
manner -- quite different from any other so-called scientific
studies of this that I have seen. Evans tenants a compass
skeptic, but he admits that "Girard is quite the best I have ever
was very clever." (152)
Experiments with people are very hard to do and require
years of skill and patience. It does not help, then, that most
parascientists are physical scientists with little or no behavior-
al science background. Their initial tests are often laughably
sloppy. They think, for example, that if they crowd enough
observers into a room then everything will be OK, when Geller
proved it much easier to cheat in those circumstances.
Yet, the past four years have seen a major improvement in
experimental techniques; one-way glass, tight controis of
materials, and even controls of the experimenters. And we have
seen recently the archest of sceptics agree with one of the
strongest proponents on protocol. We seem to be rapidly
approaching a definition of the dragons to be slain.
Sadly, as conditions get tighter, the phenomena seem to
disappear. But if parascience has so far produced precious
little, neither has the much better funded cancer research. And
there is a curious similarity between the laetrile and para-
science controversies-both rest on anecdotal data that do not
stand up to traditional scientific scrutiny. Could it be that our
science is wrong-that some things are only amenable to
uncheckable personal report? To accept that would be as
revolutionary to science as the Protestant reformation was to
Rome or the inevitable socialist revolution to Britain. Clearly a
lot of people think that such as overthrow of science is called
for. But if they do, then there is little point in, at the same time,
trying to enter the inner circle of institutional science. (153)
This brings us back to a phenomenon observed in the data
on PKMB. It seems as though certain kinds of controls can be
inhibitory to the manifestation of PKMB effects and parapsy-
chologists have gone as far as labelling-it "the shyness effect."
The team of Hasted, Bohm, Bastin and O'Regan addressed this
topic well in their NATURE paper:
We have come to realize that in this domain the experi-
mental situation is different in certain crucial ways from that
which has been common in scientific experimentation. This is
because the phenomena under investigation have to be pro-
duced from the minds of one or more of those who participate.
Relationships among the participants therefore play a much
more essential role than is usual in traditional scientific fields.
One of the first things that reveals itself as one observes is
that psycholkinetic phenomena cannot in general be produced
unless all who participate are in a relaxed state. A state of
tension, fear, hostility, on the part of any of those present
generally communicates itself to the whole group. The entire
process goes most easily when all those present actively want
things to work well. In addition, matters seem to be greatly
facilitated when the experimental arrangement is aesthetically
or imaginatively appealing to the person with apparent psycho-
kinetic powers.
We have found also that it is generally difficult to produce
a predetermined set of phenomena. Although this may some-
times be done, what happens is often surprising and unex-
pected. We have observed that the attempt to concentrate
strongly in order to obtain a desired result (the bending of a
piece of metal, for example) tends to interfere with the relaxer
state of mind needed to produce such phenomena.
Thus, if any of those who participate in a physical experi
ment are tense and hostile, and do not really want the
experiment to work, the chances of success are greatly dimin
For Release 2001/03/07- CIA-RDP96-00788R0020001300Tal __ the experimental setup
often helps to maintain interest and enthusiasm, whereas ar
Co

attitude that consistently tends to damp these latter is evidently
detrimental to the whole enterprise. In the study of psycho-
Approved For Release 2001
Barly much
important than in the natural sciences, because the perso
f/0310
CIA, RDP96-00788R00209013001-1.5ng up the spirit world
produces these phenomena is not an instrument or a machine.
Any attempt to treat him as such will almost certainly lead to
failure. Rather, as indicated earlier, he must be considered to
be one of the group, actively cooperating in the experiment,
and not a 'subject' whose behaviour is to be observed 'from the
outside' in as cold and impersonal manner as possible.
And concerning the involvement of magicians they continue;
It has been our observation, however, that magicians are
often hostile to the whole purpose of this sort of investigation,
so that they tend to bring about an atmosphere of tension in
which little or nothing can be done. (154)
This factor of experimental conditions is also noted by
Joseph Hanlon:
One of the potential difficulties of parapsychological
investigation is the sensitivity of the whole phenomenon, and
the inability of even "good" subjects to perform under many.
seemingly reasonable, controlled conditions. If one accepts the
existence of parapsychological abilities, this is not surprising.
One would, presumably, be dealing with a talent like musical
ability, and it would be not unreasonable "to find a skilled
violinist, for example, being adversely influenced by playing
before a group of people he knew to be hostile critics. Also,
because we are dealing with "mental energies", it is not
unreasonable to suppose that a confirmed critic could use his
psychological powers to block those of the sensitive.
Thus, the phenomenon will require somewhat different
procedures than other forms of research. Some concessions
will have to be made to keep the subject happy and com-
fortable, for example. (155)
Indeed, it is clear to see that setting up experimental controls
without reference to this fact may lead to a lack of positive results.
It is perhaps clearer to see the point if one makes analogy to
intuitve or non-rational psychological functions such as ro-
mance, "Psychic powers, too, tend to emerge spontaneously, if
at all, so that it has been about as much use asking a man to
exhibit them in a laboratory as it would to ask him to fall in love at
first sight with the lab. assistant." (156)
I do not defend or deny ESP or other parapsychic phe-
nomena. I offer an analogy.
In the past I have written some poems of quite good
quality. Whole poems or the major part of them have seemed to
be deliverances of a subconscious region of the mind. They
came spontaneously as though they wrote themselves.
A skeptic could say: "This is nonsense. I cannot believe it
unless Hoffmann writes a genuine poem under carefully con-
trolled conditions."
Under such conditions I would be seated under observa-
tion by psychologists. Instruments would be fastened to me to
record blood pressure, cephalic electric waves, cardiographic
pulsations, and maybe other recordings. Then I would be told:
"We are ready now. Write a poem."
Under such conditions I would not be able to write any-
thing but some exasperated cusswords. Consequently I would
have been proved a fake and a fraud. (157)
IV THE DEEPER ISSUES
ii) PKMB IN PERSPECTIVE
When the phenomenon of PKMB is considered in terms of
practical relevance, aside from philosophical implications for the
Incidentally, young Uni snidies a ChidlaCienisue ni com
with everybody who claims to exercise occult powers, whi
that he only uses his remarkable gifts for the most trivial
never do more than extract small talk from his contacts ir
Great Beyond. "Tell Aunt Edie to be sure to wear her w
vests in this cold weather," and so on. Uri fiddles around
cutlery and trinkets and the rest. As a good Israeli he ought !
out there by the canal twisting the barrels of the Arab gur
that they fire backwards. (178)
In a letter to NEW SCIENTIST we have:
Sir,-When he heard that Uri Geller's accomplishm
were to be examined by a panel selected by NEW SCIENT
John Wade, a distinguished member of the inner council o
Magicians' Circle said to me: "What a number of us would
to know is not how Geller bends forks and keys and things
why?" (179)
Author John White makes an apparent point:
His psychic functioning has so far not been put to be
·cial use for humans, Uri has not, to my knowledge, he
anyone or relieved human suffering. He hasn't used hi
ability to straighten bent forks. (After all, who needs bent fo
(180)
He has perhaps suggested a possibility. Perhaps it
abilities are useable, they may be useful on biological syst
Psychic healing is also a considered possibility in parapsy
logy.
Looking back over the data and the controversy, we
voluminous evidence suggesting the validity of PKMB, we
seem to have equally voluminous evidence denying it. N
parapsychologists feel that the data is at least leaning in fav
PKMB. John Beloff and Charles Tart who are well-respected ir
field comment respectively:
Let us start with the question that must be asked of e
paranormal claim, namely, the question of authenticity. To
reviewer, at least, the Geller case has long since passed
point where it is sensible to doubt that Geller posse
paranormal powers except, that is, in the purely theore
sense in which all psi phenomena are open to doubt. If aski
justify such a statement, my first impulse would be to reply
no one in the world could be that clever! However, I re.
that this intuitive judgment is scarely going to satisfy
skeptics.
The case for regarding the specific "Geller effect
authentic (i.e., the paranormal bending of metal objects) st
me as even more indisputable if only because here there a
many independent witnesses. (181)
Whether Geller is "pure," as some believe, or wheth!
uses conjuring sometimes but occasionally shows parano
abilities, as many parapsychologists now believe, is of
consequence. More than 500 methodologically tight, ex
mental studies that show various paranormal effects alr
exist, none of them depends on the ability of Geller, wl
probably only a passing fad.
The known physical laws indeed appear to bend sc
times and the implications of such paranormal effects fo
understanding of ourselves and the universe may be enorm
Geller has drawn enough attention to the paranormal to
some very bright scientists interested. If it takes key
spoon-bending to get us started on a large-scale scier
investigation of the paranormal, the career of Uri Geller
have served a useful purpose. (182)
What is more interesting however, is that a few of the c.
paraApproved ForRelease 2001/03/07.0IA-RDP9600788R0020001000115worthy of study. Jo:
have viewed this whole affair in a refreshingly lighthearted way: Hanlon, who remains skeptical of PKMB, still has written:
60

I feel strongly that the next interesting breakthrough
science may well come not from expensive research by huge
tion and sloppiness are vital in examining heterodoxy. Impat-
.team ApproveddForRelease 2004/03/07du@IA-RDP96-00788R002000160014-5roductive, and anti -.
and small teams into the interaction of people and themselves
pathetic to the spirit of science. (186)
and their surroundings.
Through biofeedback, we now have control over our
bodies of a sort that not so long ago was almost universally
agreed to be impossible. Negative ions in the air seem of affect
our attitudes. And so on. In the past few years, these areas and
others such as parapsychology have become less the province
of hopeful amateurs and more the area of trained scientists.
(183)
And sober critic Ray Hyman has written of the paranormal:
Parapsychologists are doing much more sophisticated
research than many critics and indifferent scientists realize;
and if nonparapsychologists took the time to read the current
parapsychological journals, most of them would discover that
the field contains a solid core of dedicated, serious, and
competent experimenters. Furthermore, it is difficult to read
through this literature without coming to the conclusion that
"something" is there. (184)
Perhaps the best stance one can take towards the issue of
PKMB and its controversy is at least one that is not closed.
Editorials in two of the most distinguished scientific journals
have encouraged openness to the field, and perhaps it is the
safest stance. In NATURE is printed:
:
The parasciences may not yet have unearthed much for
which there is a cast-iron case for scientific explanation, but
there is ample material crying out for verification, and the
lessons learned over the last few years should have improved
techniques and procedures for getting to the heart of the
deception/reality question. Now, surely, is thetime for scientists
n large numbers to take a more practical interest in these
obstinate issues. If we fail to do so, parascience will recede
further into the mystic's world and will take with it much of the
public's sympathy.
Investigation in the para-world is neither easy nor always
agreeable. Public interest, however, dernands, rightly or
wrongly, that scientists come to grips with the propositions
being made. And if scientists won't come in with rational
attitudes and, where necessary, rational explanations, they can
hardly be surprised if the forces of irrationalism take over. (185)
And in NEW SCIENTIST we have:
The temptation is always to be negative, to dismiss bizarre.
notions as impossible and unexamined evidence as inade-
quate. And researchers who have once invested valued time in
a fruitless pursuit of bent cutlery or empathetic tomatoes can
become even more haughty than those who have never been
blooded in these woolly areas.
Patience and persistence form a better stance. Science
must remain open to strange possibilities, even when they
come from the most unlikely quarters. Scientists must remain
cool, and committed to determined proselytising on behalf of
IV. DIRECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
We must consider how best to proceed further. Perhaps
continued validation of PKMB is not the most productive. Speak-
ing to the pro/con controversy Author Hastings writes:
These two positions have given rise to a controversy with
attacks, charges, and countercharges. The issue is the nature of
Geller's abilities. Is he a trickster using magic? Is he a genuine
psychic? Is he a person with some real psychic ability and who
also uses deception when he wishes or has to?
I think it will prove better not to draw any of those
conclusions, or any conclusions at all on that level. It is too late
for that. The argument over Geller has become a Gordian knot,
in a rope that we do not need. (187)
Parapsychologists Ted Bastin and Charles Honorton have
offered us what may be the optimium approach to PKMB. Bastin
writes:
I think that, at the present moment, it is a good thing for at
least some investigators of the paranormal, with material now
coming to hand in an unprecedented volume, to aim to get
information about the regularities and shapes that are discern-
ible in the material, rather than endlessly to repeat proofs of
their existence. One important way to demonstrate the exist-
ence of a field is to map it out. (188)
Honorton writes:
There are those who believe that satisfactory explanation
of the anomalies studied in parapsychology will require major
modifications in scientific theory. This is debatable. What is not
debatable is that the anomalies will remain anomalous so long
as attention is maintained on "conclusive proof" of the claims
of flamboyant psychic superstars, rather than the systematic
delineation of positive attributes and necessary conditions for
the phenomena in less spectacular but more cooperative
subjects. (189)
However, this reviewer has preferred this eloquent express-
ion by a philosopher:
Research into the paranormal is bogged down in the
boring question of whether it exists to the exclusion of the
question of what it is. Neither does this remark prejudge the
former question, for if it does not exist then it will prove
impossible to say what it is and we answer the boring question
by our failure to answer the interesting one. This I submit is a
better method. (190)
MR. SAT BIR SINGH KHALSA, graduate student in neurophysiology at the Uni
versity of Toronto who at my request in 1978 became involved in the meticulous ant
time consuming task of further reviewing the diverse literature on this topic. Hi
tireless dedication to this difficult project has provided much valuable information
and he has gained my deep respect.
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