Vic Tandy

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Vic Tandy
Born 1955
Died 2005
Nationality British
Occupation Lecturer
Known for Paranormal Research

Vic Tandy (1955–2005) was a lecturer in Information Technology at Coventry University in Warwickshire and British engineer. He was best known for his research into the relationship between infrasound and ghostly apparitions.

In 2001 Tandy was asked to investigate the cellar of Coventry's Tourist Information Centre[1][2] and in 2004 he was part of a research group looking for paranormal activity in Warwick Castle.[3] In both cases he found high levels of infrasound present.[3][4] Tandy also conducted large-scaled experiments including one supernatural experiment on 750 participants at London's Royal Festival Hall.[1]

Tandy also wrote a computer column for the Coventry Telegraph.[1] He was also an associate member of the Society for Psychical Research.[5]

Leamington And Warwick Magic Society

Vic Tandy had a deep interest in stage magic and was a member of the Leamington and Warwick magic Society.

Death

Vic Tandy died on Saturday 23th July at the age of 50.

Work with infrasound

In the early 1980s Tandy was working in a research laboratory for a medical manufacturing firm, when, in his own words: "I was sweating but cold, and the feeling of depression was noticeable – but there was also something else.[6][7] It was as though something was in the room with me." Tandy then claimed to have seen a spirit emerging in his peripheral vision, but when he turned to face the figure, it vanished.[7]

He discovered the cause of the 'haunting' by accident. The next day Tandy, a keen fencer, was polishing his sword when he noticed that the blade was vibrating even when clamped in a vice.[8][9] From this Tandy stumbled upon the idea that infrasound might be present in the laboratory.[6] Further experimentation showed that the infrasound trapped in the laboratory was at its highest next to Tandy's desk, right where he had seen the ghost. The infrasound was found to have come from a newly installed extractor fan.[8][10]

Tandy went on to recreate his experience, and with the assistance of Dr. Tony Lawrence, he was able to publish his findings in the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research.[11] Their research led them to conclude that infrasound at or around a frequency of 19 Hz,[2][9][12] has a range of physiological effects, including feelings of fear and shivering.[6][13] Though this had been known for many years, Tandy and Lawrence were the first people to link it to ghostly sightings.[7][13]

Tandy also appeared in the 'Ghosts on the London Underground' documentary.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Helen Cotterill (July 28, 2005). "Pioneering Ghost Hunter Vic Dies". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Simon Dudman (March 11, 2003). "GHOSTBUSTER; RESEARCHER REVEALS THE SCIENCE BEHIND OUR HAUNTED TERRORS". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Bid to find Evidence of Ghosts at Castle". Coventry Evening Telegraph. November 2, 2004. 
  4. ↑ Lucy Wilson (November 2, 2000). "Vic's Theory on Eerie in TV Spotlight". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 
  5. ↑ "Boffin's Pocket Tool for Spooks". Coventry Evening Telegraph. February 16, 2001. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Samantha Lyster (February 12, 2001). "INVENTOR HOPES DEVICE WILL GIVE UP THE GHOST". Birmingham Post. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Robert Matthews (June 29, 1998). "Science finds reasons for ghostly 'hauntings': Ultra-low sound waves blamed for visions, feelings of terror". Ottawa Citizen. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Charisse Ede (July 21, 1998). "LECTURER HAS LOWDOWN ON GHOSTS; IT MAN SAYS SOUNDS CAN HELP TRIGGER VISIONS". Birmingham Post. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Mark Pilkington (October 16, 2003). "LIfe: Far out: The fear frequency". The Guardian. 
  10. ↑ Paul Simons (September 4, 2006). "Ghostly sightings in science lab". The Times. 
  11. ↑ Andy Coghlan (December 19, 1998). "Midnight watch". New Scientist. 
  12. ↑ "Explaining the Tandy Effect". Coventry Evening Telegraph. March 11, 2003. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Matthew Hickley (June 29, 1998). "Sound sense that could lie behind ghostly apparitions". Daily Mail. 
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