Andrija Puharich

Andrija Puharich parapsychologist

Andrija Puharich (February 19, 1918 – January 3, 1995) was an American medical doctor, parapsychologist, and inventor. He is best known for his research on psychic phenomena and his work with psychics such as Peter Hurkos and Uri Geller.

Early Life and Education

Puharich was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Croatian immigrant parents. He attended the University of Illinois where he earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy. He later attended the Northwestern University Medical School, where he received his medical degree in 1947.

Career

After completing his medical training, Puharich served in the United States Army during World War II. Following his military service, he began researching parapsychology and psychic phenomena. In 1952, he founded the Round Table Foundation of Electrobiology in Glen Cove, Maine, where he conducted experiments on telepathy, clairvoyance, and other psychic abilities.

Work with Psychics

Puharich is perhaps best known for his work with Peter Hurkos, a Dutch psychic who claimed to have developed his abilities after falling from a ladder and suffering a head injury. Puharich conducted numerous experiments with Hurkos, testing his ability to solve crimes and locate missing persons.

In the early 1970s, Puharich began working with Uri Geller, an Israeli psychic known for his ability to bend spoons and perform other feats of psychokinesis. Puharich's research with Geller was controversial and received significant media attention.

Inventions and Patents

In addition to his work in parapsychology, Puharich was an inventor and held several patents. His inventions included a device for stimulating the brain with electrical impulses and a hearing aid for the deaf.

Later Life and Death

Puharich continued his research into psychic phenomena and other unconventional topics throughout his life. He died on January 3, 1995, in North Carolina.

Legacy

Puharich's work remains controversial, with some considering him a pioneer in the field of parapsychology and others viewing his research as pseudoscience. Despite the controversy, his contributions to the study of psychic phenomena have had a lasting impact on the field.

See Also

• Parapsychology
• Psychic
• Telepathy
• Clairvoyance
• Psychokinesis
• Uri Geller
• Peter Hurkos