Russia - Little is known of Dimitri Polovov, a Russian medium who first known appearance was in the Spring of 1953. It was then that he began a series of unofficial lectures on the use of extra sensory powers in East Berlin. Dimitri contended that everyone had these abilities but they were latent and that by using techniques designed by him, one could master these powers. Dimitri's signiture feat was his ability to bend a metal spoon by holding it between his thumb and forefinger and concentrating on it.

Only known photograph of Russian Dimitri Polovov

Shows were given free of charge and attracted small groups of the curious where Dimitri used dim lighting and showmanship not normally seen behind the iron curtain to win over skeptics. The only known photograph of the medium was taken at one of these shows by a visiting West German Soon tributes of food and other small nessecities were being paid to Dimitri by his students for a chance to learn his technique.

By the summer of 53 he had attracted the attention of the local government who barred further appearances and took Polovov into custody. He was not heard of again until 1954 when his name surfaced on a list of "official reaserchers" at the Physical Sciences Academy of Kiev. It was known at this time that the Communists were seriously looking into the possibilty of using paranormal powers as a weapon. No work was published by this group of researchers and it was disbanded by the state in 1955. Dimitri was not heard of again.

sources

"Spoon Bending" Strange Facts of the Unknown World published in 1978 by Register Press

photo courtesy of Strange Facts of the Unknown World