Harold E. Puthoff
Encyclopedia
Harold E. Puthoff is an American physicist who, earlier in his career was involved in research on paranormal topics. In 1967, Puthoff earned a Ph.D. from Stanford University
. Puthoff is well known within gravitational physics circles for his papers on polarizable vacuum
(PV) and stochastic electrodynamics
topics, which are examples of alternative approaches to general relativity and quantum mechanics. In the 70s and 80s he directed a CIA/DIA-funded program at SRI International
to investigate paranormal abilities, collaborating with Russell Targ
in a study of the purported psychic abilities of Uri Geller
, Ingo Swann
, Pat Price, Joseph McMoneagle
and others. Both Puthoff and Russell Targ became convinced Geller and Swann had genuine psychic powers. More conventional explanations for the observed abilities have also been advanced. At about the same time, he founded an academically-oriented scientific research organization, Institute for Advanced Studies at Austin (IASA), also in Austin, TX, where he is Director (During this period of the mid to late 80's and ealier, Puthoff was working on theory with Bill Church and Kermit Laurent in Texas, considering the scientific study of the possibilities of the paranormal claims of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and some of his followers claims of personal and physical-body levitation.)
Puthoff has invented and worked with tunable lasers and electron beam devices, concerning which he holds patents, and he is co-author (with R. Pantell) of Fundamentals of Quantum Electronics (Wiley, 1969), published in English, French and Russian.
in the late 1960s and reached what was then the top OT VII
level by 1971. Puthoff wrote up his "wins" for a Scientology publication, claiming to have achieved "remote viewing" abilities. In 1974, Puthoff also wrote a piece for Scientology's Celebrity magazine, stating that Scientology had given him "a feeling of absolute fearlessness". Puthoff severed all connection with Scientology in the late 1970s.
Alleged Scientology connections:
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
. Puthoff is well known within gravitational physics circles for his papers on polarizable vacuum
Polarizable vacuum
In theoretical physics, particularly fringe physics, polarizable vacuum and its associated theory refers to proposals by Harold Puthoff, Robert H...
(PV) and stochastic electrodynamics
Stochastic electrodynamics
In theoretical physics, Stochastic Electrodynamics is a variant of Classical Electrodynamics which posits the existence of a classical Lorentz Invariant radiation field having statistical properties similar to that of the electromagnetic zero-point field of Quantum Electrodynamics...
topics, which are examples of alternative approaches to general relativity and quantum mechanics. In the 70s and 80s he directed a CIA/DIA-funded program at SRI International
SRI International
SRI International , founded as Stanford Research Institute, is one of the world's largest contract research institutes. Based in Menlo Park, California, the trustees of Stanford University established it in 1946 as a center of innovation to support economic development in the region. It was later...
to investigate paranormal abilities, collaborating with Russell Targ
Russell Targ
Russell Targ is an American physicist and author, an ESP researcher, and pioneer in the earliest development of the laser....
in a study of the purported psychic abilities of Uri Geller
Uri Geller
Uri Geller is a self-proclaimed psychic known for his trademark television performances of spoon bending and other supposed psychic effects. Throughout the years, Geller has been accused of using simple conjuring tricks to achieve the effects of psychokinesis and telepathy...
, Ingo Swann
Ingo Swann
Ingo Swann is an artist and author, best known for his work as a co-creator of the discipline of remote viewing, specifically the Stargate Project...
, Pat Price, Joseph McMoneagle
Joseph McMoneagle
Joseph McMoneagle was involved in remote viewing experiments conducted by U.S. Army Intelligence and the Stanford Research Institute. He was one of the original officers recruited for the top-secret program now known as the Stargate Project...
and others. Both Puthoff and Russell Targ became convinced Geller and Swann had genuine psychic powers. More conventional explanations for the observed abilities have also been advanced. At about the same time, he founded an academically-oriented scientific research organization, Institute for Advanced Studies at Austin (IASA), also in Austin, TX, where he is Director (During this period of the mid to late 80's and ealier, Puthoff was working on theory with Bill Church and Kermit Laurent in Texas, considering the scientific study of the possibilities of the paranormal claims of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and some of his followers claims of personal and physical-body levitation.)
Puthoff has invented and worked with tunable lasers and electron beam devices, concerning which he holds patents, and he is co-author (with R. Pantell) of Fundamentals of Quantum Electronics (Wiley, 1969), published in English, French and Russian.
Ventures in Austin
In 1985, Puthoff founded a for-profit company, EarthTech International in Austin, TX. At about the same time, he founded an academically-oriented scientific research organization, Institute for Advanced Studies at Austin (IASA), also in Austin, TX, where he is Director (During this period of the mid to late 80's and ealier, Puthoff was working on theory with Bill Church and Kermit Laurent, considering the scientific study of the possibilities of the paranormal claims of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and some of his followers claims of personal and physical-body levitation.) Independent of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, NJ, IASA pursues more focused research on topics specifically related to energy generation and space propulsion, with funding from anonymous donors.Scientology
Puthoff got involved with the Church of ScientologyChurch of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
in the late 1960s and reached what was then the top OT VII
Operating Thetan
In Scientology, the state of Operating Thetan is a spiritual state above Clear. L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, defined it as "knowing and willing cause over life, thought, matter, energy, space and time ". According to religious scholar J...
level by 1971. Puthoff wrote up his "wins" for a Scientology publication, claiming to have achieved "remote viewing" abilities. In 1974, Puthoff also wrote a piece for Scientology's Celebrity magazine, stating that Scientology had given him "a feeling of absolute fearlessness". Puthoff severed all connection with Scientology in the late 1970s.
EarthTech
Currently, Puthoff is the CEO of a privately funded research organization called EarthTech International. This organization is dedicated to the exploration of new frontiers in physics. The activities of EarthTech primarily center around investigations into various aspects of the Zero-point field. Among its technical activities EarthTech evaluates claims of devices (so called "over-unity" devices) that are said to release more energy, presumably extracted from the ambient Zero Point electromagnetic field, than they consume from conventional power sources.External links
- Earthtech International, Puthoff's company in Austin, TX
- Dr. Harold Puthoff (Remote Viewing) - From the Secret Life of Plants to The Play of Light
Alleged Scientology connections:
- Puthoff, Scientology, and the CIA, from Church of Spiritual Technology: IRS Approved, an anti-Scientology website