The Science Behind a Famous Victorian Illusion: Pepper’s Ghost
by Evelyn Maguire
Picture this: It’s the 19th century, you’ve never seen — let alone conceptualized — a horror movie, you have a very limited knowledge of science, you are quite open to the concept of the undead, and a man has projected a ghost in front of your very eyes. Astonishment! Frenzy! Insatiable curiosity!
This man was English scientist John Henry Pepper, a traveling “Science Performer” who perfected the art of the illusion now known as “Pepper’s Ghost.” In 1862, Pepper debuted this ghostly trick in London, and would go on to confound countless audiences — selling out shows and captivating public attention.
Pepper’s Ghost involved ingenuous staging to capitalize on light refraction through glass. There were two “stages.” The first built to be seen by the audience, and the second, built below or to the side of the main stage, was where the ghostly performer would wait. When the hidden room was dark, no reflection would be made upon the main stage. But when a bright light was shone on the ghost performer, the angle of the glass (arranged in such a way to be hidden to the audience) would project a translucent figure onto the main stage — winning gasps of terror from the audience.
Pepper used this invention to stage plays, often where a sword-wielding actor would confront the ghost, only for the audience to watch his sword slip right through the apparition. The shows were wildly popular. It’s been reported that Pepper himself would often greet the audience by appearing, as if by magic, onto the stage at the start of the performance.
In fact, the illusion was so successful that after the Prince of Wales attended an 1863 performance, he was so impressed that he restored London Polytechnic Institution—the institution which sponsored Pepper’s work— to the Royal Polytechnic Institution.
Ironically, after the hype surrounding the performances had quieted somewhat, Pepper used the invention to debunk the same spiritualism of which he had capitalized on to fill so many seats. By publicizing just how he achieved the apparition effect—and expanding on his explanations to include the trick of levitating tables—Pepper illustrated the true science behind those who claimed the ability to commune with spirits.
Pepper’s Ghost is still in use today — The Haunted Mansion in Disney World being a memorable example.
To learn more about the smoke and mirrors of the Victorian era, visit the Emlen Physick Estate for the Magic & Mystery House Tour, and delve into the rich history of iconic illusionists, infamous mysteries, and much more.
