Elizabeth Lopez

James Tilly Matthews's illustration of a gang of spies using an "air loom" to torment him at a distance early 1800s

“Matthews believed that a gang of criminals and spies skilled in pneumatic chemistry had taken up residence at London Wall in Moorfields (close to Bethlem) and were tormenting him by means of rays emitted by a machine called the "Air Loom" or gaseous charge generator. The torments induced by the rays included "Lobster-cracking", during which the circulation of the blood was prevented by a magnetic field; "Stomach-skinning" and "Apoplexy-working with the nutmeg grater" which involved the introduction of fluids into the skull. His persecutors bore such names as "the Middleman" (who operated the Air Loom), "the Glove Woman" and "Sir Archy" (who acted as "repeaters" or "active worriers" to enhance Matthews' torment or record the machine's activities) and their leader, a man called "Bill, or the King".”

“Rosenbach MS 1004/29, a 15th century medical almanac. The original manuscript includes several pages of moon phase charts, a urine wheel, and a bloodletting guide - everything a 15th century medical practitioner would need! “

Watching:

Me as a nerdy 12 year old watching this… that this was possible. Smiling back

Looking:

best at the Whitney Biennial, Zach Blas install

D&D

Listening:

Happy New Moon

Lichtenstein’s Haystack series after Monet

pretty old website…? Or not? Getting a great Ancient Aliens vibe and seriously considering pursuing a PhD in Archeoastronomy.

I love all this. I wish I could produce lottery tickets with the list of sites somehow…. But gain esoteric knowledge instead of money. You get to become a Rosicrucian or something if you match 4 “medicine wheels” in a row.

Rachel Comey spring 2026 and maps from The Historical Atlas of World War II