It is said in one source that spirit photography got it's start in 1862 when William Mumler first captured a spirit on film. His photo, in which Mumler captured a spirit, shown as a transparent image of a person behind the individual he photgraphed, was the start of a revolution. Civil War families in his this time were is search of proof that, in some way they could still be in touch with their loved ones lost in the war. Spirit photography was highly criticized by skeptics of the era, despite the interest it sparked among those who were seeking proof that their loved ones "lived on" after death. Mumler was later taken to court for fraud by P.T. Barnum, the famous showman who thought his photos fake. It the courtroom Barnum had a friend of his, a photographer, present the picture above as proof that any competent photographer could create "spirit photographs" as convincing as those shot by Mumler. Barnum's photo showed a bust of him with the spirit of Abraham Lincoln standing behind him. This created more trouble for those who had taken legitimate spirit photos in a time of intense skepticism.
Taken from: http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/day/04_26_2001.html
-Evan
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