History of Ghost in Timeline

A ghost, in folklore, is the soul or spirit of a deceased person or animal believed to appear to the living. Descriptions vary from invisible presences to lifelike forms. Attempts to contact spirits are known as necromancy or séances. Other associated terms include apparition, haunt, phantom, poltergeist, specter, and wraith.

1921: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Speculation

As early as 1921, carbon monoxide poisoning was speculated as a possible explanation for haunted houses, due to its ability to cause changes in perception within the visual and auditory systems.

1944: The Uninvited Film

In 1944, the psychological horror film "The Uninvited" was released.

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1945: Dead of Night Film

In 1945, the psychological horror film "Dead of Night" was released.

1947: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir Film

In 1947, the film "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" was released.

1963: The Haunting Adaptation

In 1963, "The Haunting of Hill House" was adapted into a cinematic version called "The Haunting".

The Haunting of Hill House (Penguin Classics)

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1968: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir TV Adaptation

In 1968, "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" was adapted into a television series.

1970: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir TV Series

In 1970, "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" television series had a successful run.

1980: The Fog Film

In 1980, the film "The Fog" was released, merging a ghost story with scenes of physical violence.

1984: Ghostbusters Film

In 1984, the comedy film "Ghostbusters" popularized ghost hunting.

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1989: Field of Dreams Film

In 1989, the film "Field of Dreams" was released, portraying a ghost as a benign guide.

1990: Ghost Film

In 1990, the film "Ghost" was released, depicting a ghost as a benign messenger.

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1993: Heart and Souls Film

In 1993, the comedy "Heart and Souls" was released, showing ghosts with unfinished business.

1995: Casper the Friendly Ghost Feature Film

In 1995, the benevolent ghost story of Casper the Friendly Ghost, created in the 1930s, appeared in a feature film.

1998: Ringu Film Release

In 1998, the Japanese horror film "Ringu" was released.

1999: The Sixth Sense Film

In 1999, the film "The Sixth Sense" was released, marking a return to classic gothic ghosts.

2002: The Ring Remake

In 2002, the US remake of "Ringu", titled "The Ring", was released.

2003: Wiseman et al. Study

In 2003, Wiseman et al. concluded in a study of two experiments into alleged hauntings, that people report unusual experiences in haunted areas due to environmental factors.

2005: Gallup Poll

According to a 2005 Gallup poll, about 32 percent of Americans believe in ghosts.

2009: Pew Research Center Study

In 2009, a study by the Pew Research Center found that 18% of Americans claimed to have seen a ghost.

2017: Investigating Ghosts: The Scientific Search for Spirits

In 2017, Benjamin Radford, from the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, published "Investigating Ghosts: The Scientific Search for Spirits". Radford notes the ghost hunters can't agree on what a ghost is or offer proof that they exist.

Investigating Ghosts: The Scientific Search for Spirits

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2019: Reference to Repha'im in Isaiah

In 2019, reference is made to Repha'im, appearing throughout the scriptures, which while describing the race of giants formerly inhabiting Canaan in many verses, also refer to the spirits of dead ancestors of Sheol in many others such as in the Book of Isaiah.