Introduction

Anthony Enns

Shelley Trower

pp. 1-29

in: Anthony Enns, Shelley Trower (eds), Vibratory modernism, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2013

Abstract

Vibrations were central to some of the major developments in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century science. The idea that the universe was suffused by an invisible "ether" supported the idea that all phenomena, including sound, light, and even matter itself, consisted of vibrations of varying frequencies. Experiments in physics and physiology also revealed the existence of vibrations beyond the thresholds of human perception, such as X-rays and radio waves, and people suddenly became aware that the environment around them was saturated with invisible and inaudible vibrations. The discovery of these extrasensory vibrations seemed to provide a plausible scientific explanation for psychic and occult phenomena, such as telepathy and communication with the dead. The fact that new media technologies like photography, phonography, and wireless telegraphy were shown to be capable of capturing and recording these extrasensory vibrations encouraged speculation as to their potential applications in psychical research and spiritualist séances. The scientific study of vibrations thus introduced a new understanding of space, matter, energy, perception, and consciousness that dramatically changed the way people thought about themselves and the world around them.