Wilson Bryan Key
Encyclopedia
Wilson Bryan Key, Ph.D. was the author of several books about subliminal advertising and subliminal messages. Controversial from the start, the books were widely read, particularly at universities, where he would often lecture. He obtained his doctorate in communications from the University of Denver
and taught journalism for a short period of time at the University of Western Ontario
. He was a colleague and friend of Marshall McLuhan
. His results and conclusions have been challenged; see, for example , , .
Key died following complications resulting from surgery. He is interred at the Northern Nevada Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Fernley, Nevada. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.
In a 1990 a Reno, Nevada court case against Judas Priest
regarding subliminal messages and a suicide pact between two young men gained international attention. Key was a witness in this case; however, the case was dismissed against Judas Priest and their record company, CBS
.
Key was also a member of MENSA.
University of Denver
The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings....
and taught journalism for a short period of time at the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
. He was a colleague and friend of Marshall McLuhan
Marshall McLuhan
Herbert Marshall McLuhan, CC was a Canadian educator, philosopher, and scholar—a professor of English literature, a literary critic, a rhetorician, and a communication theorist...
. His results and conclusions have been challenged; see, for example , , .
Key died following complications resulting from surgery. He is interred at the Northern Nevada Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Fernley, Nevada. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.
In a 1990 a Reno, Nevada court case against Judas Priest
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
regarding subliminal messages and a suicide pact between two young men gained international attention. Key was a witness in this case; however, the case was dismissed against Judas Priest and their record company, CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
.
Key was also a member of MENSA.
External links
- The Straight Dope: "Are subliminal messages secretly embedded in advertisements?" (1987)
- Wilson Bryan Key's words? Or Joan Peyser's?
- Interview with Wilson Bryan Key. Source Material for Brainwash: The Secret History of Mind Control. D.Streatfeild. ISBN 0340831618