That Time Apple Jacks Was in the Ghost Hunting Business: A Friday Funny

Source: Mr. Breakfast

As a paranormal investigator, I'm always on the lookout for affordable, out-of-the box tools and techniques for detecting ghosts. Way back in 1989, a 'free,' VERY portable, and quite unique little device became available for would-be ghost hunters...but it would come from a very unlikely source.

That year, Kellog's Apple Jacks cereal offered up an in-box (heehee) prize that definitely would have appealed to six year old me had I seen it. It was a small, hand-held GHOST DETECTOR! According to the back of the package: "The Ghost Detector is a toy created for play and amusement. There are no real ghosts, but you can still have lots of fun with your friends. If the Ghost Detector turns upright in your hand, flops over after a few minutes, or crawls off your hand, there are no ghosts in the room."

Kids had a chance at receiving one of three varieties---a neon green, pink, or orange image of a ghostly, shrouded figure on thin black plastic. When the device was placed in the hand, it would react strangely, curling and flopping around, ensuring to the child that there were no ghosts present. But why did this strange little piece of plastic react so erratically when held?  Well, science!

These things operated on the same principle as the Fortune Teller Miracle Fish. Fortune Teller Fish, those red, plastic toys found as carnival prizes and stuffed down English Christmas crackers, were a favorite of mine as a kid, and back then, I loved to watch them writhe and flip and twist in my hand, while consulting the guide to see what each unique movement had to say about my personality and future. What I didn't know was that there was a perfectly logical explanation as to why they reacted the way they did. 

Fortune Teller Fish, and presumably the Ghost Detectors were made with sodium polyacrylate, a special salt that will grab onto any water molecule it comes into contact with, changing the shape of that molecule, and thus the shape of the fish. Your palm is full of sweat glands, so there's plenty of moisture to grab onto, making sure that the fish (or ghost detector) WILL move. (Article on how Fortune Fish work)

Personally, I think I would have changed up the marketing and claimed that the movement indicated a ghost WAS present, and that the different movements maybe meant different types of ghosts or different temperaments of the ghost, but I guess that may have been a little too scary for most kids. Six year old me, however, would have been fascinated. I was always a strange kid, though. 

Anyway, hope everyone has a safe and spooky weekend and please let me know...what are some of YOUR favorite cheap and non-traditional investigative tools? Let me know in the comments below, or find me over on Facebook at Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State. Stay spooky, ya'll! 

Cheap Ouija

This is another Friday Night Funny image that really speaks to me, lol.  I remember way back in middle school, making Ouija Boards with a pen and notebook paper, during math class.  To be honest, I'm pretty sure I've used a Dorito as a planchette at one point or another.  

I've come a long way since those days, lol.  I love the art and beauty of Ouija and similar talking boards and have amassed a small collection.  I still appreciate those quick, impromptu boards made in pre-Algebra, though!  

If you're a fan of Ouija history and art, check out the Talking Board Historical Society's website! 

Budget Ghost Hunting Equipment

So, this meme is supposed to be funny, but it does highlight an important aspect of paranormal investigation:  You don't NEED to spend thousands of dollars on equipment....especially when you're first starting out!  

My very first 'ghost hunting kit' contained a 35mm camera (often supplemented by one of those old disposable cameras), a flashlight, a notebook and pencil, a microcassette recorder that I borrowed from my mom's office, and a cheap compass.

As time went on, I upgraded quite a bit, but to this day, I still haven't really broke the bank on equipment.  It can be fun trying out the latest gadgets featured on your favorite ghost hunting shows, but the truth is, most of that stuff is not really scientifically proven to be able to detect ghosts!

If you're just starting out, I highly suggest you hold off on making any huge purchases for awhile.  Look around your own house and see what you already have that can be used on an investigation.  Most people either own or have access to basic stuff such as flashlights, video and still cameras, voice recorders, temperature recording devices, and basic means of taking notes.  And although I don't normally recommend using a smart phone for investigation purposes, in a pinch they provide access to everything I've listed above, plus a myriad of apps that some ghost hunters swear by.

If you decide that paranormal investigation/ghost hunting is a hobby you'd like to pursue further, THEN start thinking about investing in some higher quality, more specialized equipment. However, DO YOUR RESEARCH!  Don't waste your time or money on fun, flashy gadgets that aren't really of any scientific merit, just because you saw someone else use them.

Be wary of equipment that is specifically marketed towards ghost hunters.  This is for two reasons:  1. As I've said before, there is no way to prove ghosts exists, so its only conjecture at best that these devices can actually detect ghosts.  And, 2. These devices are usually going to be more expensive.  In the case things like cameras and EMF detectors, shop around to see if you can find the same or similar device, NOT being marketed to the paranormal community, for less.  

Also important to note...make sure you know how to use any equipment you might acquire.  Equipment is only as good as the person interpreting its data, so train yourself on how to use your stuff properly.  Know its limitations and potential issues. Finally, take care of your stuff---you're paying for it, so make sure you keep it in good working order. 

And, just a quick bonus tip:  People tend to want to start out in this field by buying a ton of really cool equipment.  Unfortunately, many quickly lose interest in paranormal investigation and end up selling off their stuff for much less than what they paid for it.  Or, as they find that they enjoy the field and want to go further, they upgrade their equipment and sell off their older stuff.  Shop around.  Take a look at places such as eBay and Amazon to try to find the best deals on gently used equipment!