55: A CIRCA 1950 THE SHORT WAVE OSCILLOCLAST QUACK DEVICE

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Short Wave Oscillicast No. 3085 distributed by a company that called itself Electronic Medical Foundation. Dr. Albert Abrams, a charlatan of the first order who has been dubbed the 'Dean of All Twentieth Century Charlatans' took quackery to a new level in America in the 20th century, exploiting the public's lack of understanding as it pertained to new technologies like electricity and the ruse dubbed 'Radionics.' Having inherited well and doing not so badly at selling his 'medical devices.' He died a millionaire. Dr. Abram's left money in his will to found the 'College of Electronic Medicine' in San Francisco to carry on his work. The College later changed its name to the 'Electronic Medical Foundation.' Remnants of the organization survive as the 'National Health Federation', a lobbying organization for 'alternative medicine.' If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck...

The Portable Short Wave Oscilloclast: Manufactured by the Electronic Medical Foundation, San Francisco, c. 1950; Brown leatherette covered wood box 16' x 12' x 8'; Two 'Depolarizer' chrome electrodes with extension wires.

According to its instruction booklet the device produces a very low power signal of around 40MHz. What this signal has to do with Abram's original methods - that all had to do with resistance - can only be left to the imagination. One can be sure, though, that Dr. Abram's original black boxes would have not have impressed anyone in 1950. The floor model of this machine had an oscilloscope that displayed patterns from the 'Twilight Zone' to further impress the gullible.
Measures 12.5 x 15.5 x 9.75 inches.
Good condition.
$200 - $300