Ousiograph
Encyclopedia
An ousiograph or oustograph is a fictitious device purported to detect messages that are sent directly to one's brain. Arising from the State v. Green case in the Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee
, the messages are sent to a person's brain to "direct them" and possibly control their behavior for an undetermined purpose.
The device was first imagined by Steven Green, who murdered police officer
Harry Wilcox in Tennessee
in 1982 and was subsequently excused on a plea of insanity. FBI Agent Ray Hanrahan was the first to hear of the device, when Green approached him one year before he murdered Wilcox. Green apparently believed that a doctor from New York
was sending messages to his brain to control his behavior, and he wanted Hanrahan to research the existence of the device. Talk of the device resurfaced, when a note containing the word "ousiograph" was found at the scene of Wilcox's murder.
Green was declared a paranoid schizophrenic
by medical examiners at the trial, which ultimately proved his insanity plea. Expert testimony showed that Green was "hearing voices," which explained his paranoid belief that messages were being transmitted directly into his brain.
Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals
The Court of Criminal Appeals is one of Tennessee's two intermediate appellate courts. It hears trial court appeals in felony and misdemeanor cases, as well as post-conviction petitions. Appeals in civil cases are heard by the Tennessee Court of Appeals....
, the messages are sent to a person's brain to "direct them" and possibly control their behavior for an undetermined purpose.
The device was first imagined by Steven Green, who murdered police officer
Police officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
Harry Wilcox in Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
in 1982 and was subsequently excused on a plea of insanity. FBI Agent Ray Hanrahan was the first to hear of the device, when Green approached him one year before he murdered Wilcox. Green apparently believed that a doctor from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
was sending messages to his brain to control his behavior, and he wanted Hanrahan to research the existence of the device. Talk of the device resurfaced, when a note containing the word "ousiograph" was found at the scene of Wilcox's murder.
Green was declared a paranoid schizophrenic
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
by medical examiners at the trial, which ultimately proved his insanity plea. Expert testimony showed that Green was "hearing voices," which explained his paranoid belief that messages were being transmitted directly into his brain.