The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-18
PICTURESBY "HUMAN" LIGHT.
PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN FROM THE
RAYS OF A MANS HAND.
Prof. GoOdspeei OF the University or Penn.
syivania Presents Pictures He Took
With the Light From His Body-swlfter
Method Than the X.Ray Machine.

Method Than the X.Ray Machine
PHILADELPHIA, May l7.-Prof. Arthur
! w. Goodspeed OF the Randall Morgan lab
oratory OF physics at the University OF
Pennsylvania has discovered hitherto
unknown ray, which, emanating from the
human body, is strong enough TO make a
distinct photograph. Roentgen ray pho
tographs which ordinarily require an ex-
posture of half an hour can be taken in five
minutes with the application Of tho new
principle.
Prof. Goodspeeds discovery was COM
municated to the American Philosophical
socetyat a meeting Of that body on Friday
night, Photographs taken by the light
from his hand accompanied the paper read
thus:
All matter absorbs radioactive energy
in waves Of varying lengths and gives of
this same energy in waves of changed
and definite length. The energy that has
been thus transformed is characteristic
OF the matter that gives 1t forth. The
human body gives out the rays or waves
OF this energy with comparative freedom and
force. 1t is to be presumed that the charao-
ter Of the human rays vary in an infinitesimal
degree with the person and that each man,
woman and child gives forth not merely
the characteristic human light. but light
that is absolutely unique and identifying.
these rays from the human body are
not sufficient to be appreciated by the
human eye. 1t may be that they are seen
by the eyes Of certain Of the smaller animals.
For instance a mouse probably sees a man
in dark room by the light of the man
himself
While Crooke's tube was used by Prof.
Goodspeed in his experiments. the X rays
flowing from the tube were not permitted
to flow toward the Photographic plates.
The unusual wave disturbance was alb
sorbed by Prof. Goodspeed's own body,
and there transformed into the rays by
which the photographs were made, The
tube made possible the discovery by its
production of exaggerated wave condi-
tions, and their consequent absorpt ion
and diffusion with unusual force by the
human body.
The process of absorption and diffusion
goes on, however. says Prof. Goodspeed,
even though Crooke's tube be present TO
influence the matter from which the rays
emanate. The photographs shown 10 the
society by Prof. Goodspeed were pro-
duced, he says, by first putting Crooke's
focus tube in operation within its light-proof
black box. This box was placed in such a
position that the platinum plate directed
the rays upward. Upon the top OF the
box there were then placed five pieces Of
lead, piled one on top Of the other.
Lead is impervious to the X-rays. Upon
the top of the box containing the plate
was cylinder of brass with small aperture
in its side. Within the cylinder and resting
upon the lid Of the box containing the plate
were placed cent gold ring and piece
of aluminium. The top Of the cylinder
was sealed with two heavy pieces OF zino
The only place through which rays could
reach the objects to be photographed was
the aperture in the side.
All the time the room was in darkness
so dense that the human eye could discern
absolutely nothing. Prof. Gocdspeed then
held his hand distance Of three inchee
from the aperture in the cylinder for three
minutes At the end of that period the
plate was taken from its box, developed,
and the photographs of the ring, the cent
and the piece Of aluminium were found
upon 1t.
This Photograph" he said, was pro-
duced by this secondary activity emanating
from my hand under the influence Of the
Roentgen rays"
In another experiment two apertures
were made in the cylinder. Before one
of these was held the hand Of Prof Good
speed The other aperture was unob-
structed. The plate when developed
showed broad, brilliant stream Of light
where the rays from the hand had been
directed upon it, and only faint, brush
like streak marked the aperture that had
been uncovered. The faint streak may be
explained by the presence of the clothed
human body. Further experiments showed
that the rays from the human hand pass
with difficulty through glass and with
ease through aluminium.