Charles Panati
Encyclopedia
Charles Panati is a former college professor, industrial physicist, author and science editor of Newsweek
. Panati has written about topics as diverse as the source of the cosmos to the origin of the Oreo
cookie. He has been a frequent guest on Oprah
, Regis
and Letterman
. One of his books was the basis for the television series “The Start of Something Big”, hosted by comedian Steve Allen
.
in 1971, Panati became interested in parapsychology and published his first book, “Supersenses: Our Potential For Parasensory Experience” (1974), which Nobel Laureate Doris Lessing called “a breakthrough look at extrasensory perception.” Its success led to an introduction to Israeli psychic Uri Geller, who suggested Panati collect and publish twenty-two research papers by scientists around the world who had investigated the spoon-bender's alleged abilities. “The Geller Papers” (1976), edited by Panati, caused controversy when it was published. Several prominent magicians came forward to demonstrate that Geller’s so-called psychic talents could be easily duplicated by magic. Panati’s interest in the field waned. Today he remains on good terms with Geller, whom he regards as a charismatic showman.
In “Death Encounters” (1979), Panati investigated the phenomenon of clinical death, in which subjects report being drawn toward a white light while wrestling with the will to live. The stories became the basis for the television show “In Search Of Life After Death,” produced by Alan Landsburg and nominated for an Emmy. Panati fictionalized one of those stories to produce his first novel of psychological suspense, “Links” (1978), optioned by Universal Studios. While working on the film (which was never completed), Panati became friendly with Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek.
Roddenberry was looking for a science project to adapt into a television series. Panati interviewed scientists he’d come to know over the years as Newsweek science editor and produced material for the show, as well as for another bestselling book, “Breakthroughs: Advances in Science, Medicine and Technology” (1980).
Viewers of the show wrote in each week asking questions about the origins of ordinary, everyday things, which gave Panati the idea for a second book of origins: Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things(1987). Isaac Asimov said of that work: “An extraordinary compendium. You’ll be astonished at an average of once per page.” Panati followed up with “Sacred Origins of Profound Things: The Stories Behind the Rites and Rituals of the World’s Religions” (1996). He then published “Sexy Origins of Intimate Things”‘‘(1998), and continuing with the origins theme, he looked at popular phrases such as “Honesty’s the best policy” and “Charity begins at home” in “Words To Live By: Origins of Common Wisdom Expressions” (1999).
A sixth book in the series, “Panati’s Parade of Fads, Follies and Manias: The Origins of Our Most Cherished Obsessions” (1991), presented a comprehensive survey of one hundred years of American popular culture.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Panati has written about endings in “Extraordinary Endings of Practically Everything and Everybody” (1989).
A second foray into fiction resulted in a psychological thriller, “The Pleasuring of Rory Malone” (1982), in which the lead character, a teenage boy with psychokinetic powers, discovers that his psychic energy becomes cross-linked with his awakening sexual energy to disastrous consequence. Panati denied suggestions made at the time that the protagonist was based on psychic Uri Geller.
, concerning a nuclear disaster, there was considerable public fear, so Panati decided to write a book explaining both the benefits and dangers of radiation, from X-rays to microwaves to nuclear. Teaming up with his brother, Michael Hudson, a fellow Newsweek writer, they produced “The Silent Intruder: Surviving the Radiation Age” (1981). Written in a Question and Answer format, the work is still considered a definitive popular examination of the interaction of radiation and human tissue.
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
. Panati has written about topics as diverse as the source of the cosmos to the origin of the Oreo
Oreo
Oreo is a trademark for a popular sandwich cookie by the Nabisco Division of Kraft Foods. The current design consists of a sweet, white filling commonly referred to as 'cream' or 'creme', sandwiched between two circular chocolate or golden cookie pieces....
cookie. He has been a frequent guest on Oprah
The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show is an American syndicated talk show hosted and produced by its namesake Oprah Winfrey. It ran nationally for 25 seasons beginning in 1986, before concluding in 2011. It is the highest-rated talk show in American television history....
, Regis
ReGIS
ReGIS, short for "Remote Graphic Instruction Set", was a vector graphics markup language developed by Digital Equipment Corporation for later models of their famous VT series of computer terminals. ReGIS supported rudimentary vector graphics consisting of lines, circular arcs, and text...
and Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman is a U.S. late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and is produced by Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants Incorporated. The show's music director and band-leader of the house band, the CBS Orchestra, is...
. One of his books was the basis for the television series “The Start of Something Big”, hosted by comedian Steve Allen
Steve Allen
Steve Allen may refer to:*Steve Allen , American musician, comedian, and writer*Steve Allen , presenter on the London-based talk radio station LBC 97.3...
.
Early life
Charles Panati was born in Baltimore, Maryland (March 13, 1943), and raised in Atlantic City, New Jersey. His family has had a long professional relationship with the Miss America Pageant, and Panati, in his early twenties, served as an escort for several contestants. After graduating from Villanova University (1961–1965) with a B.S. in physics, Panati obtained a master’s degree in Radiation Health Physics (1966) from Columbia University and worked in cancer research at the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.Writing career
After joining NewsweekNewsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
in 1971, Panati became interested in parapsychology and published his first book, “Supersenses: Our Potential For Parasensory Experience” (1974), which Nobel Laureate Doris Lessing called “a breakthrough look at extrasensory perception.” Its success led to an introduction to Israeli psychic Uri Geller, who suggested Panati collect and publish twenty-two research papers by scientists around the world who had investigated the spoon-bender's alleged abilities. “The Geller Papers” (1976), edited by Panati, caused controversy when it was published. Several prominent magicians came forward to demonstrate that Geller’s so-called psychic talents could be easily duplicated by magic. Panati’s interest in the field waned. Today he remains on good terms with Geller, whom he regards as a charismatic showman.
In “Death Encounters” (1979), Panati investigated the phenomenon of clinical death, in which subjects report being drawn toward a white light while wrestling with the will to live. The stories became the basis for the television show “In Search Of Life After Death,” produced by Alan Landsburg and nominated for an Emmy. Panati fictionalized one of those stories to produce his first novel of psychological suspense, “Links” (1978), optioned by Universal Studios. While working on the film (which was never completed), Panati became friendly with Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek.
Roddenberry was looking for a science project to adapt into a television series. Panati interviewed scientists he’d come to know over the years as Newsweek science editor and produced material for the show, as well as for another bestselling book, “Breakthroughs: Advances in Science, Medicine and Technology” (1980).
Origins' book series
In the early 1980s Panati was approached by producer Al Masini (creator of “Entertainment Tonight” and “Star Search”) about turning his latest book, “The Browser’s Book of Beginnings” (1984), into a weekly TV show. The book became the basis for the Sunday night hit “The Start of Something Big,” co-written by Panati and writer-celebrity Robin Leach (“Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”), and hosted by Steve Allen.Viewers of the show wrote in each week asking questions about the origins of ordinary, everyday things, which gave Panati the idea for a second book of origins: Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things(1987). Isaac Asimov said of that work: “An extraordinary compendium. You’ll be astonished at an average of once per page.” Panati followed up with “Sacred Origins of Profound Things: The Stories Behind the Rites and Rituals of the World’s Religions” (1996). He then published “Sexy Origins of Intimate Things”‘‘(1998), and continuing with the origins theme, he looked at popular phrases such as “Honesty’s the best policy” and “Charity begins at home” in “Words To Live By: Origins of Common Wisdom Expressions” (1999).
A sixth book in the series, “Panati’s Parade of Fads, Follies and Manias: The Origins of Our Most Cherished Obsessions” (1991), presented a comprehensive survey of one hundred years of American popular culture.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Panati has written about endings in “Extraordinary Endings of Practically Everything and Everybody” (1989).
A second foray into fiction resulted in a psychological thriller, “The Pleasuring of Rory Malone” (1982), in which the lead character, a teenage boy with psychokinetic powers, discovers that his psychic energy becomes cross-linked with his awakening sexual energy to disastrous consequence. Panati denied suggestions made at the time that the protagonist was based on psychic Uri Geller.
Three Mile Island nuclear accident
As a radiation health physicist, Panati was deeply concerned about the accident at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in March, 1979. A partial core meltdown resulted in the most significant accident in the history of American commercial nuclear power. Coming on the heels of a popular movie called The China SyndromeThe China Syndrome
The China Syndrome is a 1979 American thriller film that tells the story of a reporter and cameraman who discover safety coverups at a nuclear power plant. It stars Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, Michael Douglas, Scott Brady, James Hampton, Peter Donat, Richard Herd, and Wilford Brimley.The film was...
, concerning a nuclear disaster, there was considerable public fear, so Panati decided to write a book explaining both the benefits and dangers of radiation, from X-rays to microwaves to nuclear. Teaming up with his brother, Michael Hudson, a fellow Newsweek writer, they produced “The Silent Intruder: Surviving the Radiation Age” (1981). Written in a Question and Answer format, the work is still considered a definitive popular examination of the interaction of radiation and human tissue.