Vic Tandy
Encyclopedia
Vic Tandy was a lecturer in Information Technology at Coventry University
in Warwickshire and British engineer. He was best known for his research into the relationship between infrasound and ghostly apparitions
.
In 2001 Tandy was asked to investigate the cellar of Coventry's Tourist Information Centre and in 2004 he was part of a research group looking for paranormal activity in Warwick Castle
. In both cases he found high levels of infrasound present. Tandy also conducted large-scaled experiments including one supernatural experiment on 750 participants at London's Royal Festival Hall
.
Tandy also wrote a computer column for the Coventry Telegraph. He was also an associate member of the Society for Psychical Research
.
He discovered the cause of the 'haunting' by accident. The next day Tandy, a keen fencer
, was polishing his sword when he noticed that the blade was vibrating even when clamped in a vice. From this Tandy stumbled upon the idea that infrasound might be present in the laboratory. Further experimentation showed that the infrasound trapped in the laboratory was at its highest next to Tandy's desk, right where he had seen the ghost. The infrasound was found to have come from a newly installed extractor fan.
Tandy went on to recreate his experience, and with the assistance of Dr. Tony Lawrence, he was able to publish his findings in the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research. Their research led them to conclude that infrasound at or around a frequency of 19 Hz, has a range of physiological effects, including feelings of fear and shivering. Though this had been known for many years, Tandy and Lawrence were the first people to link it to ghostly sightings.
Coventry University
Coventry University is a post-1992 university in Coventry, West Midlands, England. Under the terms of the Further and Higher Education Act of 1992, the institution's name was changed from Coventry Polytechnic to Coventry University...
in Warwickshire and British engineer. He was best known for his research into the relationship between infrasound and ghostly apparitions
Apparitional experience
In psychology and parapsychology, an apparitional experience is an anomalous, quasi-perceptual experience.It is characterized by the apparent perception of either a living being or an inanimate object without there being any material stimulus for such a perception...
.
In 2001 Tandy was asked to investigate the cellar of Coventry's Tourist Information Centre and in 2004 he was part of a research group looking for paranormal activity in Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle is a medieval castle in Warwick, the county town of Warwickshire, England. It sits on a bend on the River Avon. The castle was built by William the Conqueror in 1068 within or adjacent to the Anglo-Saxon burh of Warwick. It was used as a fortification until the early 17th century,...
. In both cases he found high levels of infrasound present. Tandy also conducted large-scaled experiments including one supernatural experiment on 750 participants at London's Royal Festival Hall
Royal Festival Hall
The Royal Festival Hall is a 2,900-seat concert, dance and talks venue within Southbank Centre in London. It is situated on the South Bank of the River Thames, not far from Hungerford Bridge. It is a Grade I listed building - the first post-war building to become so protected...
.
Tandy also wrote a computer column for the Coventry Telegraph. He was also an associate member of the Society for Psychical Research
Society for Psychical Research
The Society for Psychical Research is a non-profit organisation in the United Kingdom. Its stated purpose is to understand "events and abilities commonly described as psychic or paranormal by promoting and supporting important research in this area" and to "examine allegedly paranormal phenomena...
.
Work with infrasound
In the early 1980s Tandy was working in a research laboratory for a medical manufacturing firm, when, in his own words: "I was sweating but cold, and the feeling of depression was noticeable – but there was also something else. It was as though something was in the room with me." Tandy then claimed to have seen a spirit emerging in his peripheral vision, but when he turned to face the figure, it vanished.He discovered the cause of the 'haunting' by accident. The next day Tandy, a keen fencer
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
, was polishing his sword when he noticed that the blade was vibrating even when clamped in a vice. From this Tandy stumbled upon the idea that infrasound might be present in the laboratory. Further experimentation showed that the infrasound trapped in the laboratory was at its highest next to Tandy's desk, right where he had seen the ghost. The infrasound was found to have come from a newly installed extractor fan.
Tandy went on to recreate his experience, and with the assistance of Dr. Tony Lawrence, he was able to publish his findings in the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research. Their research led them to conclude that infrasound at or around a frequency of 19 Hz, has a range of physiological effects, including feelings of fear and shivering. Though this had been known for many years, Tandy and Lawrence were the first people to link it to ghostly sightings.