History of Ghost in Timeline

A ghost is a spirit of a deceased person or animal believed to appear to the living. Ghostlore presents diverse descriptions, ranging from invisible presences to realistic forms. Attempts to contact spirits are known as necromancy or séances. Associated terms include apparition, haunt, phantom, poltergeist, specter, spirit, and wraith.

1921: Early Speculation on Carbon Monoxide Poisoning as Explanation for Haunted Houses

In 1921, speculation arose that carbon monoxide poisoning, which affects visual and auditory perception, might explain the phenomenon of haunted houses.

1944: Release of The Uninvited

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

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1945: Release of Dead of Night

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

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1947: Release of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir

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

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1963: The Haunting of Hill House adapted to The Haunting

In 1963, the novel "The Haunting of Hill House" was adapted into the film "The Haunting."

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1968: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir TV series adaptation

In 1968, "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" was adapted into a TV series that ran until 1970.

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1970: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir TV series adaptation continued.

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir TV series adaptation continued in 1970.

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1980: Release of The Fog

In 1980, the horror film "The Fog" was released, merging ghost stories with physical violence.

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1984: Release of Ghostbusters

In 1984, with the release of the comedy film "Ghostbusters", ghost hunting became a popular hobby, leading to the formation of ghost hunting societies and reality television series.

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1989: Release of Field of Dreams

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

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1990: Release of Ghost

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

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1993: Release of Heart and Souls

In 1993, the comedy film "Heart and Souls" was released, featuring a ghost as a benign guide.

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1995: Casper the Friendly Ghost Feature Film

In 1995, Casper the Friendly Ghost, originally created in the 1930s, appeared in a feature film.

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1998: Release of Ringu

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

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1999: Release of The Sixth Sense

In 1999, the release of "The Sixth Sense" marked a return to classic gothic ghosts with psychological dangers.

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2002: Release of The Ring and The Eye

In 2002, the US remake of "Ringu" named "The Ring" was released, as well as the Pang brothers' film "The Eye".

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2003: Wiseman et al. Study on Haunted Areas

In 2003, a study by Wiseman et al. concluded that people report unusual experiences in 'haunted' areas due to environmental factors such as local magnetic fields, location size, and lighting levels.

2005: Gallup Poll on Belief in Ghosts

In 2005, a Gallup poll revealed that approximately 32 percent of Americans believe in ghosts.

2009: Pew Research Center Study on Ghosts

In 2009, a Pew Research Center study indicated that 18% of Americans reported having seen a ghost.

2017: Publication of 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", asserting that ghost hunting lacks a consensus on the nature or proof of ghosts and is largely speculation.