From Magic Lanterns to Pepper’s Ghost

The Evolution of Ghostly Illusions: From Magic Lanterns to Pepper's Ghost

Lisa Morton explores the historical evolution of ghostly illusions in entertainment, tracing techniques from ancient methods using smoke and mirrors to the invention of the magic lantern in 1659 by Christiaen Huygens. She highlights key performances by Johann Georg Schröpfer and Etienne Gaspard Robertson, leading up to John Henry Pepper's famous 'Pepper's Ghost' illusion, which is still used in modern attractions like Disneyland's Haunted Mansion.