Hubbard Electrometer

Object/Artifact

Museum Of American Heritage

Name/Title

Hubbard Electrometer

Entry/Object ID

1000.1573.5

Description

Hubbard Electrometer, quack device

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Delta

Notes

possible date made: 1970s (where did the 1970s estimate come from?) serial number: 4478? The dating of this machine is tricky. The E-meter was not invented by L. Ron Hubbard, but he did have it adapted for his church's uses after parting ways with the original creator. Based on patent info and Wikipedia, the Hubbard versions seem to have begun to be patented in the 1960s.

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

curated description

Label

Hubbard Electrometer Delta 1960s (first patented) Adapted by the Church of Scientology for use in its core practice of member “auditing,” the E-meter supposedly measures emotional reactions and electrical signals in the body to help locate and relieve spiritual impediments. Beginning in the 1960s, the FDA and the Church of Scientology faced off in a years-long legal battle over health claims associated with this machine.

General Notes

Note

Scientology use.