Ghosts have appeared in drama for at least 2,500 years, with many innovations in stagecraft to make them appear more believable -- and spooky. In 1862, Professor John Henry Pepper perfected a new technique that ushered in a new age of special effects.

Sources

Jim Seinmeyer — Hiding the Elephant,  2004

Mary Luckhurst and Emilie Morin, Eds.— Theater and Ghosts, 2014

Wikpedia — "Pepper's Ghost"

J.A. Secord — "Quick and Magical Shaper of Science," from Science, Vol. 297, Issue 5587, pp. 1648-1649, Sep 6, 2002

Ed. — "The Patent Ghost," from The Mercury, Jul 21, 1863

Music

Shady Dave — Snowfall - final Kevin MacLeod — Calmant Kevin MacLeod — Meditation Impromptu 03 Kai Engel — June

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