In 1980 Stephen King in his novel Firestarter coined the term Pyrokinesis, or the ability to ignite and control fire by thought.
The fictional story was made soon after into a movie, but is this phenomena just a theme in popular fiction, or does it have a basis in reality?
The fictional story was made soon after into a movie, but is this phenomena just a theme in popular fiction, or does it have a basis in reality?
A Rare Ability?
What pyrokinesis may look like. We have all heard of Psychokinesis, or Telekinesis, the so-called ability to move objects or matter with the power of the mind or thought. Originally thought to be the work of spirits or supernatural beings, it is now theorized that the ability, if it is possible, may in fact be the work of the human mind, whether controlled or not.
But what about Pyrokinesis?
The ability to "speed up the naturally occurring vibrations of atoms in matter to alter temperature, possibly to the point of ignition if combustible by the power of thought or will" is one of many forms of Psychokinesis that has been observed and studied by parapsycholgists and scientists for the last 100-150 years.
It is a rare ability, with very few cases reported.
But what about Pyrokinesis?
The ability to "speed up the naturally occurring vibrations of atoms in matter to alter temperature, possibly to the point of ignition if combustible by the power of thought or will" is one of many forms of Psychokinesis that has been observed and studied by parapsycholgists and scientists for the last 100-150 years.
It is a rare ability, with very few cases reported.
Firestarter!
PEople with the ability can start fires with touch. One case of purported pyrokinetic ability came from Paw Paw, Michigan, in 1882, when a local doctor published an article in the local news about a 27 year old man he had been studying. The man, named A.William Underwood, had become a local celebrity by "generating fire through the medium of his breath, assisted by manipulations with his hands. He will take anybody's handkerchief, and hold it to his mouth, and rub it vigorously with his hands while breathing on it, and immediately it bursts into flames and burns until consumed."
However, it is now thought that Underwood would hide a piece of phosphorus in his mouth and, upon spitting it on said handkerchief, would use the heat from his breath and the heat from rubbing his hands together to ignite the phosphorus, creating the illusion of fire starting.
The case was so celebrated that even in 1974 musician Brian Eno released a song about Underwood entitled "The Paw Paw Negro Blowtorch!"
However, it is now thought that Underwood would hide a piece of phosphorus in his mouth and, upon spitting it on said handkerchief, would use the heat from his breath and the heat from rubbing his hands together to ignite the phosphorus, creating the illusion of fire starting.
The case was so celebrated that even in 1974 musician Brian Eno released a song about Underwood entitled "The Paw Paw Negro Blowtorch!"
Drew Barrymore in 'Firestarter'. The phenomena of pyrokinesis was bought to the attention of the public by horror novelist Stephen King in 1980 when his book 'Firestarter' was released. The story involved a little girl who was being stalked by a government agency who wanted to study and control her power. The novel was then adapted to the screen in 1984, starring a young Drew Barrymore.
The Human Torch, a comic book character in Marvel Comics, not only possesses said power but is made entirely of fire, and TV series such as The X-Files, Charmed and Fringe have had characters who have had the ability, sometimes used for evil purposes.
The subject is popular in fiction, however, it is still regarded as a rare form of Psychokinesis that has not been seen in most cases of psychokinetic activity and only speculated about.
The Human Torch, a comic book character in Marvel Comics, not only possesses said power but is made entirely of fire, and TV series such as The X-Files, Charmed and Fringe have had characters who have had the ability, sometimes used for evil purposes.
The subject is popular in fiction, however, it is still regarded as a rare form of Psychokinesis that has not been seen in most cases of psychokinetic activity and only speculated about.
The Power to Control Fire
Supposed footage of a fire started by a girls mind. However, in 2011, a 3 year old Phillippino girl created a media frenzy when it was claimed she could "predict" fires. The town Mayor and a large number of police and fire authorities are said to have witnessed the girl on a number of occasions possibly causing objects to ignite without physically touching them.
In decades gone it was believed that psychokinesis and its many variants were the work of spirits, angels, demons or other supernatural beings - could this still be the case?
Fires igniting and extinguishing themselves were apparent in the famous Enfield poltergiest case of the late 1970's. (I'll be writing about the 'Enfield Poltergeist' soon ~Ash)
Is there an external supernatural cause/s for said phenomena?
Or are we all capable of different kinds of psychokinesis, including the power to control Fire?
In decades gone it was believed that psychokinesis and its many variants were the work of spirits, angels, demons or other supernatural beings - could this still be the case?
Fires igniting and extinguishing themselves were apparent in the famous Enfield poltergiest case of the late 1970's. (I'll be writing about the 'Enfield Poltergeist' soon ~Ash)
Is there an external supernatural cause/s for said phenomena?
Or are we all capable of different kinds of psychokinesis, including the power to control Fire?
Matty Sweeney 2013
Put together by Ashley Hall 2013
Put together by Ashley Hall 2013
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