13) 19th C. Occult Technology

The 19th century brought the advent of Theosophy, Anthroposophy, the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO) and numerous other groups oriented to occult and magical knowledge. At the same time, the industrial revolution was taking hold in Europe and America. Perhaps the shadow of capitalism created a milieu in which the germination of occult technology was not only favored by many but also expected. John Jacob Astor (1864-1912), one of the richest men on earth, was willing to invest heavily in occult technology. He was also an inventor in his own right with a visionary mind. In the course of his life, he sponsored many of the most occult inventors of his era, including John Worrell Keely (1837-1898).

Keely's inventions are by today's standards 100% occult technology. This apparent liability did not prevent him from obtaining millions of mid-19th Century dollars in funding and extraordinary notoriety during his life. A recent biography by ……. Paijmans tells the remarkable tale of what occurs when an irrational technology is sponsored instead of squelched. The book contains numerous pictures of beautifully crafted machines made by Keely that he claimed drew on a completely unknown vibratory force. These devices, incorporating sonic, pneumatic and mechanical elements into the design were so well built they were capable of repeated public demonstration. As a result, Keely was able to attract not only John Jacob Astor but also William K. Vanderbilt and numerous other New York millionaires to invest in his technology. Unlike Radionics, Keely’s devices were all designed to do labor intensive work, all be it with a very other-wordly type of physics.

Keely claimed a device he called the "Liberator" extracted an "etheric vapor" or "inter-atomic force" that it could then be stored for various tasks. This force was claimed to "furnish power to the extent of ten tons to the square inch". One observer labeled it a "sympathetic etheric force" that could best be described as "coming nearer to the primal force of willpower of nature than any force yet liberated from her storehouse".

This force was applied pneumatically and harmonically to a host of inventions; a cannon, a means of disintegrating minerals for mining purposes, a locomotive force, and even a suspension of gravity capable of propagating air ships and even space flight. By many reports, Keely's demonstrations were more than convincing. They were repeated to thousands of visitors as his notoriety grew the stock in his various companies was publicly tendered.

Not everyone was convinced. Many famous contemporary inventors, including Nikola Tesla claimed there was nothing truly scientific in any of Keely's work. Others claimed outright fraud, and at one point Keely was briefly jailed. Various institutions and scientific publications were deeply skeptical, as his results could not be independently verified outside his own lab. No patents were ever issued, though many were promised. A few applications were even filed.

Nevertheless, enough satisfactory demonstrations with working devices were produced to convince a lot of people, including many of the engineers working with Keely. The possibility that any of these devices worked as claimed seems preposterous to us today. In Keely’s era however, mid way through the 19th Century with the Civil War behind them, Americans felt a great deal of exuberance and confidence. Technological progress was tantamount to Manifest Destiny. Perhaps given an almost divine prerogative to invent using unexplored forces of nature like electricity and subtle energy, it was not surprising to see some wild inventions developed. What is amazing is that so many credible people believed that they worked as claimed! Was an esoteric energy like prana or kundalini actually evoked by Keely and invested in his machines? Whether some truly unknown force was at work in his technology is still disputed to this day.