Today, we use the phrase “animal magnetism” as a figure of speech. It’s often used to convey someone’s congeniality or attractiveness. Believe us, when we’re looking for the latest magnetic news, it can get a little tricky with all of the metaphorical headlines. However, this wasn’t always the case. The term “animal magnetism” was coined in a very literal sense by Austrian physician, Franz Mesmer (hence the term mesmerizing). Although his ideas were a little (ok, really) outlandish, Mesmer paved the way for a lot solid magnetic research. The Life and Times of Franz Mesmer Mesmer was born in 1734 in southern Germany. Like many in his day, he was raised in a devout Catholic household and religion played a large part in his early education. However, once he enrolled in the medical program at the University of Vienna in Austria, Mesmer’s interests turned to more immediate celestial bodies. In 1766, Mesmer published his doctoral dissertation entitled, On the Influence of the Planets on the Human Body. It was his assertion that celestial bodies such as the moon and other planets had a direct influence on the body and even the diseases that plagued it. The aim of much of Mesmer’s early research was to expound upon ideas set in motion by Sir Isaac Newton. However, Mesmer’s findings may have been a little too close to the original, as many claim his thesis was largely plagiarized from an English contemporary. Franz Mesmer and Animal Magnetism Mesmer never outgrew his penchant for intrigue. Long before we used the phrase to express any metaphoric attraction, Franz Mesmer insisted that humans (and animals, and even plants) actually possessed a form of magnetism. He thought that many diseases and conditions could be treated by simply counterbalancing a person’s innate magnetism with external forces. The first instance of this came in 1774, when treating a woman with “hysteria.” Mesmer had the woman swallow a drink filled with iron filings. He then placed powerful magnets on various parts of the woman’s body. According to the afflicted woman, she saw a decrease in symptoms following the procedure. Although this procedure was not to be performed again, Mesmer was convinced that people with high levels of “animal magnetism” were predisposed to certain maladies, and he wasn’t the only one. Although Mesmer wasn’t ever able to prove the theory of animal magnetism, it did not dissuade others from studying the discipline. Devotees of this school would come to be known as Magnetizers. This new idea gained Mesmer international notoriety and he eventually found himself in the center of a controversy. A failed experiment saw him leaving Vienna for Paris. There, he attempted to secure approval for his research, but the French government was not impressed. To many, he was nothing more than a quack. Debunking Animal Magnetism Although Mesmerism lasted all the way to the early 20th century, it was scientifically discredited long before. In 1784, King Louis XVI of France had had enough and established a royal commission to determine the legitimacy of animal magnetism. Scientists from all over the world, including such heavy hitters as Benjamin Franklin, ultimately concluded that Animal Magnetism was essentially bunk. Despite its enduring popularity, subsequent commissions eroded Mesmer’s reputation. Until he was exiled from France. He died in Switzerland in 1815. There is still a lot we don’t fully understand about magnets and magnetism. However, we learning something new almost every day. For the latest magnetic news and breakthroughs, make sure to follow our Magnets in the News blog. Want to learn about other magnetic personalities? Read about other magnetic innovators here.