A Chicago bellhop claimed to create photos with his thoughts. No one could prove they weren’t real
CHICAGO -- Ted Serios was a bellhop at the Conrad Hilton Hotel on Michigan Avenue, though probably not the kind of employee they expected. When he worked as a valet, he had a habit of joy riding in the guests’ cars. When he manned cash registers, he took home a dollar or two. He ran into police now and then. He had a history of alcoholism, and erratic behavior and was declared schizophrenic during a brief stay at Chicago State Hospital.
He also claimed to have incredible powers.
Paranormal abilities, some said.
He would stare hard at a camera. He would convulse and growl and twist his arms and contort his expression and, by claiming to focus his thoughts, project an image from his mind onto undeveloped film. At least, that was his claim. “Get in there, baby,” he would whisper at cameras. “Come on, you son of a ...” Then he’d collapse back in a chair, tired.
It was very dramatic, pretty easy to roll your eyes at.
Except, Serios would do this with Polaroid instant film, a relatively new process. And
