I bought a thing at a yard sale

When I initially saw this at a yard sale, I thought maybe it was an old microscope or telescope. Figured I might pick it up as something cool for my bookcase.

Still in its original shipping container and 40 years old. Shipped in this box in 1979.

Wait. What does that say on the shipping label?

Scientology Mission of Bellevue Washington. Well what do we have here?

The Book Introducing The E-Meter by L Ron Hubbard

Inside were three handbooks. Plus an envelope from the Hubbard Electrometer Dept.

Scientology waits for no man. This document mailed out Christmas Eve 1979

Warranty card dated December 1989. With a reminder that it is not intended for any medical purpose.

Previous owner never completed the warranty card. Which also states that only a sincerely enrolled student or minister is permitted to obtain an E-meter. Seems I am not permitted to possess this one.

Apparently this one was made by Bob Montgomery. And is crafted of fine American walnut.

Technical diagrams

More technical info

“By itself, this meter does nothing.” Well that’s a relief.

Diagnosing common errors

Were you protesting??? Well were you? Answer the question!

Wow there are a lot of common errors

Did you go clear and no one would let you declare?

On to the books. Three of them. Clearing series one, three, and four. Wasn’t a two in the box.

A reminder again that this is a religious artifact and no doctor, scientist, or imgur shitposter is permitted to have one.

Apparent moist hands and wrong can size are the causes of many problems. I’m not making that up.

An ad to buy your own E-Meter. The internet tells me that $215 in 1979 is roughly $800 in today’s money. Someone payed the equivalent of $800 for this.

I’ve heard terms like “preclear” tossed around and always wondered. But this preclear checklist is amazing. If you don’t zoom in on any other pics in this post, please zoom in on this one.

Scientology is srs bsns. Now tell me which of these 98 colors you like best!

Finally some technical info. Or a picture of a guy holding a box anyway.

The resistance of a dead female body is... wait whut???

Printed circuit and fully transistorised for your pleasure.

Now that’s nifty. The lid comes off and flips around to stand it up better.

These must be the wrong size cans I’ve heard so much about.

Reminder that Tom Cruise believes squeezing tin cans like this is a religious experience.

To be successful, know your needle

Oh man I wish I could be there to see a rock slam in person.

Alright. Enough with the books. Let’s see what the equivalent of $800 bought you forty years ago. Looks like some cable and alligator clips.

My very own tin cans. I sure hope they aren’t the wrong size.

And the handmade American walnut box. Good job Bob Montgomery wherever you are.

Apparently it was last certified in January 1980 and has been expired since 1981. $215 bucks and back in the closet in a year.

By itself, this meter does nothing. This time in a pretty red label.

Finally she’s open. A reminder that this cost more than an Atari 2600 (which was just $199 in 1979).

Sure enough the lid flips as advertised. Really a nice feature.

Looks like they tried selling it before for $50 and then marked down to $30. I paid $25. But it’s worth it for the updoots I might get before the Scientology police break down my door for unauthorized possession of a religious artifact.

FP EDIT: Thanks for the updoots! Send whatever you like, I enjoy getting mail. Reports of my suicide have been greatly exaggerated.

No, I have not attempted to use the machine. It has 40 year old NiCd batteries that are supposed to be charged for 28 hours before using. Sadly, while the box did include the cans and machine and cable for the cans, it did not include the power cord to charge the batteries.

I was able to make it back to the yard sale before it closed and I asked if they had any other books related to the machine. Sure enough, after a bit of digging, I am now the proud owner of the third edition of the Volunteer Minister's Handbook. https://i.imgur.com/Q19PttX.jpg All 677 pages of it, complete with exactly the sort of beautiful color photos you might expect of Scientology Ministers. Leading a council of churches. Ministering to Catholic nuns. Sitting down with the Chief of Police to go over crime initiatives. If there is interest, I will give it its own post.

Until then, keep being awesome.