HISTORIC HUBBARD MATHISON DIANETICS SCIENTOLOGY EARLIEST E-METER CIRCA 1950 MINT

An EXTRAORDINARILY RARE artifact of an earlier time,
in fully functioning,  museum-quality, peerless condition.

On Consignment -

HISTORIC HM-4 HUBBARD / MATHISON ELECTROPSYCHOMETER E-METER

VINTAGE PRE-DIANETICS / PRE-SCIENTOLOGY  CIRCA 1950

FEATURING PRISTINE FULLY FUNCTIONING CONDITION AND  ORIGINAL COPPER (Predecessor to SOLO NOT's?) CANS / ELECTRODES

The predecessor to what became known as THE E-METER, which is used in religious ceremonies of Scientology, The Study of Knowing How to Know, and earlier, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.

Yes, the real thing.  The Great Grandfather of E-Meters.
Perhaps the first E-Meter? (Depending on how you define them.)

What follows includes what is reported from various sources. 
I wasn't there myself, so I cannot attest as to the veracity. 
That, you will have to determine for yourself.

This meter was discovered in the Pacific Northwest where LRH lived for a while. Makes one wonder if he might have used this in his early research? The model number "HM-4" indicates inventors "Hubbard-Mathison". It was discovered in pristine, seemingly little-used (there isn't even any "shine" around the tone arm) condition, complete with original COPPER CANS, which appear to be forerunners to SOLO auditing techniques? Who used this instrument, and is it "The First E-Meter"? Again, that's for YOU to determine.

E-METER / MATHISON METER HISTORY

Mathison & LRH (L. Ron Hubbard) are said to have worked together during the Pre-Dianetics era. (Pre 1950)Mathison was building electropsychometers to assist with his metaphysical/spiritual/mental theories. LRH worked with him. Mathison initially favoured a device sporting two meters. LRH favoured the single meter design, seen here, which evolved later into the Mark Series of E-meters, used in Dianetic and Scientology processes to this day (although supplanted by a different design in the late 70's) There are many other more complete sources of information on all of these subjects. If you need assistance in research, let me know and I'll assist if I can. Often, on Ebay, there are books, photos, etc. about Hubbard and Mathison.

Mathison is said to have been a chiropractor and psychoanalyst in the 1940's who used a Mathison Electropsychometer, with success, according to reports, in his work. He is said to have been favorably impressed with Mr. Lafayette Ron Hubbard who was writing and beginning to implement Dianetics. Mr. Hubbard is said to have used Mathison Meters until 1954. Mr. Hubbard's overtures to secure Mr. Mathison's patents were unsuccessful, reportedly.  Sometime later, Mr. Hubbard began advocating the use of a similar designed instrument dubbed the "E-Meter" or Hubbard Electrometer.

So for a very brief moment in time, Hubbard and Mathison were working together, and were happy enough to put both of their intials on the instrument herein described, and up for auction. Thus "H-M".

This in itself can be considered signficant. The fact the instrument was found, completely intact, in the Pacific Northwest portion of the United States where Hubbard reportedly lived for a period, which reportedly co-incides time-wise with when Mssr. Hubbard lived in the area, and the instrument was manufactured, along with the novel solo-style copper cans, suggests the possibility that the instrument was in use by or with Mssr. Hubbard during this formative historic time and place.

BELOW: Unique controls, in addition to the Tone Arm. Forerunner of the first Dianetics E-Meter.

BELOW:  Here is the Meter itself, unquestionably measuring something you cannot "see", but the meter allows you to perceive, and thereafter, interpret it.  Note the condition of the entire unit: even the edges are pristine and unmarred.  Because the device is AC powered, there was concern that over the years there may have been some electrical deterioration that could be a problem or affect operation. The entire unit was carefully gone through by an electronics engineer with 40+ years of experience and fully tested. Components that were subject to any change over the years were replaced with exact electrical equivalents. The circuit has not been altered in terms of its design or intent. It has simply been made safer, should the purchaser wish to plug it in. Because of the age of the unit, no warranty or expression of suitability for any particular purpose is expressed or implied. It is sold as-is.  It is made available solely for its historical significance and no therapeutic use is implied or suggested.

The psychometer, or E-Meter, is an electronic device based on a very sensitive electronic circuit known as the Wheatstone Bridge.  It measures very small value changes in an aspect of physical matter: resistance to electricity. The circuit is extremely sensitive, and configured as it is here, can rapidly optimize monitoring as "things change". The changes are considered to be a physiological response to the mind, or spirit, or thetan's condition at the time. An analog reflection as it were. Like waves radiating out in a pond, after a stone was cast into it. Or a vapour trail in the sky, after a jet has passed.  Physiological responses are most often not under the direct control of consciousness, or the mind, or the analytical or reactive mind in the parlance of Scientology and Dianetics.  So monitoring such is considered by some to be of value. There is a great deal more to this and there are many books on the subject.  E-Meter Basics and related manuals are a good place to start, in terms of how to use it effectively. For more on the underlying theories, consult Scientology, Dianetics, L.Ron Hubbard, Mathison.

BELOW: The TONE ARM

BELOW: The SOLO (?) N.O.T.S. (?) COPPER CANS.

I've monitored E-Bay for many years, and have never seen another meter like this ever available.
Hopefully its apparent historical importance will be recognized in a suitable environment.