Keely's Theories.

In Keely's time ether theory was still in the scientific mainstream. It was not until the Michelson experiment in 1887 that the theory began losing credibility. In the 1920's most mainstream scientists rejected the concept altogether.

There are many even today that still maintain the existence of the ether. Some eminent scientists, including Einstein, saw no contradiction between the contemporary model and the existence of an ether. In the end it makes no difference. The whole question whether the whole universe floats in some penultimate soup or not is purely academic, since by definition we will never be able to deal with the ether directly, it being part of the observer as well as the observed and must therefore always be hidden from view. We are still stuck with studying the observable whether the ether is there or not.

Be that as it may, all of Keely's theories revolve around the ether and its properties as he saw it. This, combined with his archaic language, makes his writings impalatable to scientists and technicians of our time.

Before we go into his theories as such let us remember that the theories of the alchemists led to many discoveries including gunpowder and phosphorus. The phlogiston theory, fashionable in the 18th century, led to the discovery of hydrogen (phlogisticated air) and oxygen (dephlogisticated air).

Both theories are discredited today, nevertheless they had a degree of workability in their time.

Theories come and go, the discoveries and technical achievements coming from them stay with us. No doubt our current theories about things will undergo profound changes as new knowledge comes to hand. Bearing that in mind let us look at how Keely saw things.

The following abstract of Keely's Theories was published in "KEELY AND HIS DISCOVERIES" by Clara Bloomfield Moore in 1893.

It was written by Professor Brinton with Keely's full knowledge and approval. I am using this here rather than direct quotes from Keely himself as Keely says essentially the same, but is much more difficult to read and understand because of his obscure terminology. The paper is dated 12-08-1889 (mm-dd-yy by US convention)

Abstract of Keely's Physical Philosophy in its main features up to the point of practical application;
by Professor Daniel G. Brinton, of the Pennsylvania University
(subject to modifications and additions when Keely has made public his system.)

The fundamental conception of the Universe is force manifesting itself in rhythmical relations. This definition is exhaustive, including both thought and extension, matter and mind. The law for the one is the law for the other. The distinction between them is simply relative, i.e. quantitative, not qualitative. The rhythmic relations in which force acts are everywhere, under all conditions, and at all times, the same. They are found experimentally to be universally expressible by the mathematical relations of thirds.

These threefold relations may be expressed with regard to their results as,

I. Assimilative.
II. Individualizing.
III. Dominant or Resultant.

From these three actions are derived the three fundamental;

LAWS OF BEING.

I. Law of Assimilation: every individualized object assimilates itself to all other objects.
II. Law of Individualization: every such object tends to assimilate all other objects to itself.
III. Law of the Dominant: every such object is such by virtue of the higher or dominant force which controls these two tendencies.

Applying these fundamental laws to an explanation of the universe, as it is brought to human cognition, all manifestations of force may be treated as modes of vibrations.

The essential differences give rise to the three;

MODES OF VIBRATION.

I. The Radiative : called also the `Dispersing,' the `Propulsive,' the `Positive,' and the `Enharmonic.'
II. The Focalizing: called also the `Negative,' the `Negative Attractive,' the `Polarizing,' and the `Harmonic.'
III. The Dominant: called also the `Etheric,' or the `Celestial.'

These, it will be noted, correspond to the three laws of being. It is not to be understood that any one of these three modes of vibration can exist independently.

Each by itself is called a `current,' and all three must be present in every `stream' or `flow' of force. The relations of the currents in every flow are expressible in thirds, and it is experimentally demonstrable that the relation of the three are in the order named: as 33 1/3 : 66 2/3 : 100.

The evolution of what is called `matter' from the different modes of vibration is through the action of the second law, that of focalization, or `negative attraction,' or `negative affinity.'

Where the vibrations under this mode meet, and are maintained in a state of mutual affinity or equilibrium, there is established what is called a `neutral centre,' or, as otherwise expressed, a centre of sympathetic coincidence. The terms `neutral attraction,' `neutral affinity,' `negative attraction,' or `polar negative attraction,' are employed to express the property of a mode of vibration to direct its components toward such centre.

As no current or flow of force can be composed of one mode of vibration only, but must always be composed of three modes uniting in varying thirds, we have 1 x 2 x 3 = 6 as the total possible forms of sympathetic coincidence, or, to speak in ordinary terms, there can be six; and six only, possible forms of individualized being.

These are what Keely calls the six orders of atomic subdivision, or orders of vibratory motion, and he names them as follows:

I. Molecular.
II. Inter-molecular.
III. Atomic.
IV. Inter-atomic.
V. Etheric.
VI. Inter-etheric.

In this last the forms of matter are arranged in the mathematical sequence of the rapidity of the oscillations of their constituent members; the proportion being proved by experiment to be as follows: for the molecular orders: 1 : 3 : 9 : 27 : 81 : 243. This arithmetical progression changes in the atomic orders to a geometrical progression as follows: 3 : 9 : 81 : 6561 : 43046721, etc. This same method of progression is believed to hold in all the orders of vibrations above the molecular, and soon passes into mathematical infinity.

Actually, however, all matter of which we are capable of cognition through the medium of our senses is in one of three forms of aggregation:

I. Molecular
II. Atomic
III. Etheric;

in each of which the controlling mode of vibration is respectively,

I. The Enharmonic
II. The Harmonic
III. The Dominant

But it must be understood that each of these modes is a positive and real constituent of every atom and molecule. It will be seen that as every form of material aggregation is to be considered as a `neutral centre of attraction,' where the vibratory force of all three orders are held in `sympathetic coincidence,' that is, in balanced activity or harmonized motion, and not by any means cancelled or mutually destroyed, there is no diminution of force, but only temporary suspension of its radiating or propulsive activity or expression.

This is the foundation of Keely's doctrine of `latent force,' and of the indefinite power which can be obtained by breaking up the harmonious balance or equation of forces of every mode, which exists in every `neutral centre,' that is to say in every mass of matter.

Insomuch as every mass of matter consists thus, in fact, of vibrations in harmonic equilibrium, related by simple proportions of thirds, it follows that every mass of every description stands in harmonic relation to every other mass.

This is, in part, what is meant by the sympathy of all forms of matter and of motion; and it is through the study of the methods of increasing or diminishing this sympathy that we reach practical results in this field of research.

At present this is best accomplished by resonance ; that is, through the harmonic vibrations created by musical instruments, bringing out the acoustic world as the microscope reveals the hidden visual world.

Every visible or tangible mass of matter must be regarded as an aggregation of molecules ; the molecules being the true centres of the equated forces of `neutralized attraction.' These molecules have been experimentally proved by Keely to be formed of all three modes of vibration ; the proof being that they respond to all three modes when subjected to the tests of compound concordant impulses. It is through the disturbance of this oscillatory equilibrium, by means of resonant impulses, that Keely alters the relations of the vibratory impulses which constitute matter.

This he does by striking the same chord in three octaves, representing the third, sixth, and ninth of the scale. Of these, the sixth reduces the range of molecular vibrations or oscillations ; and, by thus bringing nearer to each other the neutral centres, increases solidifications. The ninth extends the range of molecular oscillation, and thus tends to give greater tenuity to the mass. It induces ` trajectile velocity ' form neutral centres, or ` neutral radiation. '

Experiment shows that molecular dissociation does not take place until the molecule attains an oscillation approaching, if not fully reaching, two-thirds of its diameter. This can be effected by means of the action of the ` enharmonic ' or ` radiating ' current applied to the mass, after its molecules have once been disturbed by an `introductory impulse; ' that is, by the musical note above mentioned. The third represents the ` dominant, ' and when brought under control of a harmonic resonant impulse induces a complete rearrangement of the modes of vibration and oscillation ; in other words, will transform the mass either into its component initial forces, or into some other form of matter.

It is the study of the dominant to which Keely has devoted his recent researches. He aims to control the power he evolves by altering the dominant or etheric mode of vibration in the triplicate flows of force.

As all molecules and masses are mere centres of harmonized vibrations, temporarily held in suspension by simple laws identical with those of resonance, it follows that these centres can be broken up or divided by certain orders of vibration impinging upon and disturbing them.

It is a familiar fact that a cord in vibration tends to produce a similar vibration in a cord placed near it. This property belongs to all vibrations, whether resonant or not, and they exert it in proportion to the ` order ' to which they belong. The distance in space to which this power extends, or can be extended, is what is called ` the sympathetic outreach ' of the current or flow.

In this manner we have ` sympathetic negative attraction, ' and ` sympathetic positive propulsion, ' with reference to the ` outreach ' of the third or dominant current of the stream, which is allied to the order of etheric vibrations. Each molecule of a given mass of matter represents the same harmonic chord or note in its oscillatory motion. The ` chord of the mass ' is, therefore, the chord of every molecule the mass. But, as the condition of absolutely stable equilibrium is theoretical only, and does not exist in nature, the chord of the mass is constantly changing. Yet we must learn to control this ` chord of the mass ' by resonant induction, if we would gain command of the molecular forces.

Keely believes he has solved this problem, by the invention of a mechanical device which brings the chords of all masses within the conditions of a few simple acoustic tests. The range of molecular oscillation is affected differently in different substances when submitted to the same vibratory impulse, and these ranges can be measured.

In the three metals, silver, gold, and platina, we obtain the proportions --- 3 : 6 : 9 : --- As this is the primary relation of the modes of vibration, a wire made of these three metals is peculiarly adapted to transmit concordant impulses : and nodes made of these substances placed upon a wire, transmitting resonant vibrations, indicate, by the different orders of vibration induced in them, the rate of oscillations of the atomic constituents.

The phenomenon of rotation arises from the harmonic interaction of the dominant and enharmonic elements of the flow, in other words, the first and third, the third and ninth, etc; those whose vibrations bear the proportions to each other 33 1/3 : 100. A practical example of rotation is a wheel in revolution on its axis. This is force in its commercial or economic aspect. To accomplish this result by molecular vibratory action, we must gain control of the ` negative attractive ' or ` enharmonic ' current of the triple flow, and the problem is then solved up to any limit of power.

So much for the good Professor.

At first inspection the abstract appears quite clear. On a closer look it becomes quite obvious that Professor Brinton did not know much about music and harmonics, otherwise he would have clarified obvious ambiguities in his paper.

Take for instance:

Each by itself is called a `current,' and all three must be present in every `stream' or `flow' of force. The relations of the currents in every flow are expressible in thirds, and it is experimentally demonstrable that the relation of the three are in the order named: as 33 1/3 : 66 2/3 : 100.

What does he mean here? Is he talking about harmonics or amplitude when he talks about the relationship between the flows?

Further:

This he does by striking the same chord in three octaves, representing the third, sixth, and ninth of the scale.

Here he appears to be talking about harmonics. What is confusing is the term "chords". The first, sixths and ninth of a scale are harmonics of the same note. They do not represent a chord, unless he is talking about the third, sixths and ninth octave.

And:

It is a familiar fact that a cord in vibration tends to produce a similar vibration in a cord placed near it.

This sentence does not make sense whether he means cord or chord.

Then this:

In the three metals, silver, gold, and platina, we obtain the proportions --- 3 : 6 : 9 : --- As this is the primary relation of the modes of vibration, a wire made of these three metals is peculiarly adapted to transmit concordant impulses : and nodes made of these substances placed upon a wire, transmitting resonant vibrations, indicate, by the different orders of vibration induced in them, the rate of oscillations of the atomic constituents.

What on earth is that supposed to mean "nodes made of these substances placed upon a wire"?

And finally:

The phenomenon of rotation arises from the harmonic interaction of the dominant and enharmonic elements of the flow, in other words, the first and third, the third and ninth, etc; those whose vibrations bear the proportions to each other 33 1/3 : 100.

Here he is talking again of either harmonics or amplitude.

It would appear that the good Professor did not know what he was talking about, which is perhaps not strange since he was a medical doctor and presumably a theosophist.

There is of course one other explanation and that is that Professor Brinton's paper was tampered with at the direction of the Theosophical Society who judged the knowledge he was imparting too dangerous in the "wrong hands", as evident in Helena Blavatsky's book The Secret Doctrine, Chapter 10. But more of that in my chapter on Keely and Theosophy.

Next Chapter:
KEELY'S MODEL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE

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Hans von Lieven, copyright 2007