We have enough pieces of the story of Rudolf Diesel’s life that remain consistent that we can fairly confidently construct his biography. But the way his life ended will forever be a mystery. 

Research:
Harford, Tim. “How Rudolf Diesel's engine changed the world.” BBC. Dec. 19, 2016. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-38302874
“Rudolf Diesel and his invention.” Mercedes-Benz. Feb 21, 2011. https://group-media.mercedes-benz.com/marsMediaSite/en/instance/ko.xhtml?oid=9361302
Bryant, Lynwood. “The Development of the Diesel Engine.” Technology and Culture, vol. 17, no. 3, 1976, pp. 432–46. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/3103523
“Dr. Rudolf Diesel Dead, It Is Feared.” The San Francisco Examiner. Oct. 1, 1913. https://www.newspapers.com/image/460520428/?terms=%22rudolf%20diesel%22&match=1
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Rudolf Diesel". Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Mar. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rudolf-Diesel
“Dr. Diesel Vanishes From a Steamship.” New York Times. Oct. 1, 1913. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1913/10/01/100408236.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“No Light on Diesel’s Fate.” New York Times. October 3, 1913. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1913/10/03/100650746.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“Diesel Family in Straits.” New York Times. Oct. 13, 1913. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1913/10/13/104913506.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“The Tragedy of Genius.” Holyrood Banner. Jan. 8, 1914. https://www.newspapers.com/image/485723537/?terms=%22rudolf%20diesel%22&match=1
“Diesel Was Bankrupt.” New York Times. Oct. 15, 1913. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1913/10/15/100651861.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“No Ray of Light in Diesel Mystery.” New York Times. Oct. 2, 1913. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1913/10/02/100408778.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“Reports Dr. Diesel Living in Canada.” New York Times. March 16, 1914. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1914/03/16/100084107.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
Lewis, Danny. “When the Inventor of the Diesel Engine Disappeared.” Smithsonian. Sept 29, 2016. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/when-inventor-diesel-engine-disappeared-180960635/#dzfOXtDDTgWXFGi4.99

We have enough pieces of the story of Rudolf Diesel’s life that remain consistent that we can fairly confidently construct his biography. But the way his life ended will forever be a mystery. 
Research:
<ul>
<li>Harford, Tim. “How Rudolf Diesel's engine changed the world.” BBC. Dec. 19, 2016. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-38302874</li>
<li>“Rudolf Diesel and his invention.” Mercedes-Benz. Feb 21, 2011. https://group-media.mercedes-benz.com/marsMediaSite/en/instance/ko.xhtml?oid=9361302</li>
<li>Bryant, Lynwood. “The Development of the Diesel Engine.” Technology and Culture, vol. 17, no. 3, 1976, pp. 432–46. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/3103523</li>
<li>“Dr. Rudolf Diesel Dead, It Is Feared.” The San Francisco Examiner. Oct. 1, 1913. https://www.newspapers.com/image/460520428/?terms=%22rudolf%20diesel%22&amp;match=1</li>
<li>Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Rudolf Diesel". Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Mar. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rudolf-Diesel</li>
<li>“Dr. Diesel Vanishes From a Steamship.” New York Times. Oct. 1, 1913. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1913/10/01/100408236.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>“No Light on Diesel’s Fate.” New York Times. October 3, 1913. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1913/10/03/100650746.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>“Diesel Family in Straits.” New York Times. Oct. 13, 1913. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1913/10/13/104913506.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>“The Tragedy of Genius.” Holyrood Banner. Jan. 8, 1914. https://www.newspapers.com/image/485723537/?terms=%22rudolf%20diesel%22&amp;match=1</li>
<li>“Diesel Was Bankrupt.” New York Times. Oct. 15, 1913. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1913/10/15/100651861.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>“No Ray of Light in Diesel Mystery.” New York Times. Oct. 2, 1913. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1913/10/02/100408778.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>“Reports Dr. Diesel Living in Canada.” New York Times. March 16, 1914. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1914/03/16/100084107.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>Lewis, Danny. “When the Inventor of the Diesel Engine Disappeared.” Smithsonian. Sept 29, 2016. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/when-inventor-diesel-engine-disappeared-180960635/#dzfOXtDDTgWXFGi4.99</li>
</ul>

Join Holly and Tracy as they bring you the greatest and strangest Stuff You Missed In History Class in this podcast by iHeartRadio.

Stuff You Missed in History Class

We have enough pieces of the story of Rudolf Diesel’s life that remain consistent that we can fairly confidently construct his biography. But the way his life ended will forever be a mystery.

The Life and Disappearance of Rudolf Diesel

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/95ec1774-9bbe-4901-970c-aee8003a20a8/transcript

Holly and Tracy talk about how frequently the U.S. Post Office has stopped criminals, and about E. Virgil Neal using his intellect for shady business dealings.

Holly and Tracy talk about how frequently the U.S. Post Office has stopped criminals, and about E. Virgil Neal using his intellect for shady business dealings.

Behind the Scenes Minis: Piece of Work

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5dcc5609-22c2-434b-8949-b46500431d4f/transcript

In the early 20th century, Neal's company Force of Life was investigated for fraud. But somehow, Neal managed to get through the scandal and went on to found a cosmetics company that became very successful. 

Research:
“Can’t Find E. Virgil Neal.” New York Times. January 15, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/15/100496816.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“Claimed to Raise the Dead.” Kansas City Star. Jan. 13, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/653825670/?match=1&terms=%22Claimed%20to%20raise%20the%20dead%22
Conroy, Mary Schaeffer. “The Cosmetics Baron You’ve Never Heard Of: E. Virgil Neal and Tokalon.” Third Edition. Altus History Publishing. 2014.
“E. Virgil Neal Passes Away at Geneva June 30.” The Sedalia Democrat. July 3, 1949. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sedalia-democrat-e-virgil-neal-obit/185827307/
“False Advertising Chief ‘Stimulant’ in Nixated Iron.” New York Tribune. Dec. 16,1917. https://www.newspapers.com/image/894241833/?terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22
“Force of Life Charges Dismissed.” Buffalo News. April 24, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/329115069/
“FORCE OF LIFE'S WIND-UP.; E. Virgil Neal Still Missing, but Offices Are Being Dismantled.” New York Times. Jan. 17, 1906. https://www.nytimes.com/1906/01/17/archives/force-of-lifes-windup-e-virgil-neal-still-missing-but-offices-are.html
“Force of Lifers Sent Many Decoy Letters.” New York Times. February 7, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/02/07/101765677.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“Here’s a Hyopnotic Bank.” New York Sun. March 3, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/image/207217198/?match=1&terms=Columbia%20Scientific%20academy
“How Force of Lifers Did a Rush Business.” New York Times. Jan. 15, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/15/100496815.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“James R. O’Beirne.” Fordham University. Office of the President. https://www.fordham.edu/about/leadership-and-administration/administrative-offices/office-of-the-president/about/hall-of-honor/james-r-obeirne/
“Jury Disagrees Cartilage Case.” Buffalo Courier Express. May 5, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/352806300/?match=1&terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22
“Medical Mail-order Frauds.” American Medical Association. 1915. Accessed online: https://books.google.com/books?id=Cyq6AAAAIAAJ&vq=neal&source=gbs_navlinks_s
“Medicine: From Sedalia.” Time Magazine. Dec. 25, 1933. https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,746617-1,00.html
“A Message to the Sick.” Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Feb. 9, 1900. https://www.newspapers.com/image/135238292/?match=1&terms=vitaopathy
“Most Beautiful Woman in Paris.” The Times-Union. October 6, 1909. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1278623430/?match=6&terms=To-Kalon
Neal, E. Virgil and John H. Moore. “Modern Illustrative Banking.” American Book Company. 1904. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/modernillustrati00neal/modernillustrati00neal/
Neal, E. Virgil and C.T. Craig. “Modern Illustrative Bookkeeping.” American Book Company 1901. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/illustratimodern00nealrich/page/16/mode/2up
“Neal, of ‘Nuxated Iron’ Fame, Held on Fraud Charge.” Times-Transcript. April 15, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1106273916/?match=1&terms=%22Neal%20of%20Nuxated%20Iron%22
“Neal Returns for Business.” Post-Standard. April 30, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1091107180/
Bennet, James. “Tokalon.” Cosmetics and Skin. Jan. 26, 2025. https://cosmeticsandskin.com/companies/tokalon.php
“Gigantic Swindle Probably Bared.” Nebraska City Weekly. Jan. 16, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/728074626
“In Force of Life Case.” Houston Post. Jan 13, 1907. https://www.newspapers.com/image/94975109
“Nuxated Iron Sellers in Libel Suit.” The Times-Transcript. June 10, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1106285753/?match=1&terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22
“Part I: The 1906 Food and Drugs Act and Its Enforcement.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/changes-science-law-and-regulatory-authorities/part-i-1906-food-and-drugs-act-and-its-enforcement
“Personal Magnetism.” San Francisco Examiner. March 8, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/image/457762995/?match=1&terms=Columbia%20Scientific%20academy
“Pope Receives O’Beirne.” New York Times. Sept 25, 1910. https://www.newspapers.com/image/20505640/?match=1&terms=%22pope%20receives%20o%27beirne%22
Schwarcz, Joe, PhD. “The Prince of Quackery.” McGill Office for Science and Society. July 16, 2025. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/pseudoscience-history/prince-quackery
“Thought Waves Between ‘Em.” New York Sun. April 12, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-e-virgil-neal-and-the-a/185828789/
“Tribune’s Answer in Libel Suit Calls E. Virgil Neal a Quck.” New York Tribune. June 23, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/469171423/?match=1&terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22
“Vain Search for Neal.” New York Times. January 16, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/16/101763032.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“WORRIED ABOUT NEAL & CO.: Depositors, You See, Don’t Like Hypnotism in Banking.” New York Sun. March 4, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-e-virgil-neal-hypnotic/176427712/

In the early 20th century, Neal's company Force of Life was investigated for fraud. But somehow, Neal managed to get through the scandal and went on to found a cosmetics company that became very successful.&nbsp;
Research:
<ul>
<li>&ldquo;Can&rsquo;t Find E. Virgil Neal.&rdquo; New York Times. January 15, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/15/100496816.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>&ldquo;Claimed to Raise the Dead.&rdquo; Kansas City Star. Jan. 13, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/653825670/?match=1&amp;terms=%22Claimed%20to%20raise%20the%20dead%22</li>
<li>Conroy, Mary Schaeffer. &ldquo;The Cosmetics Baron You&rsquo;ve Never Heard Of: E. Virgil Neal and Tokalon.&rdquo; Third Edition. Altus History Publishing. 2014.</li>
<li>&ldquo;E. Virgil Neal Passes Away at Geneva June 30.&rdquo; The Sedalia Democrat. July 3, 1949. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sedalia-democrat-e-virgil-neal-obit/185827307/</li>
<li>&ldquo;False Advertising Chief &lsquo;Stimulant&rsquo; in Nixated Iron.&rdquo; New York Tribune. Dec. 16,1917. https://www.newspapers.com/image/894241833/?terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22</li>
<li>&ldquo;Force of Life Charges Dismissed.&rdquo; Buffalo News. April 24, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/329115069/</li>
<li>&ldquo;FORCE OF LIFE'S WIND-UP.; E. Virgil Neal Still Missing, but Offices Are Being Dismantled.&rdquo; New York Times. Jan. 17, 1906. https://www.nytimes.com/1906/01/17/archives/force-of-lifes-windup-e-virgil-neal-still-missing-but-offices-are.html</li>
<li>&ldquo;Force of Lifers Sent Many Decoy Letters.&rdquo; New York Times. February 7, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/02/07/101765677.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>&ldquo;Here&rsquo;s a Hyopnotic Bank.&rdquo; New York Sun. March 3, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/image/207217198/?match=1&amp;terms=Columbia%20Scientific%20academy</li>
<li>&ldquo;How Force of Lifers Did a Rush Business.&rdquo; New York Times. Jan. 15, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/15/100496815.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>&ldquo;James R. O&rsquo;Beirne.&rdquo; Fordham University. Office of the President. https://www.fordham.edu/about/leadership-and-administration/administrative-offices/office-of-the-president/about/hall-of-honor/james-r-obeirne/</li>
<li>&ldquo;Jury Disagrees Cartilage Case.&rdquo; Buffalo Courier Express. May 5, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/352806300/?match=1&amp;terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22</li>
<li>&ldquo;Medical Mail-order Frauds.&rdquo; American Medical Association. 1915. Accessed online: https://books.google.com/books?id=Cyq6AAAAIAAJ&amp;vq=neal&amp;source=gbs_navlinks_s</li>
<li>&ldquo;Medicine: From Sedalia.&rdquo; Time Magazine. Dec. 25, 1933. https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,746617-1,00.html</li>
<li>&ldquo;A Message to the Sick.&rdquo; Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Feb. 9, 1900. https://www.newspapers.com/image/135238292/?match=1&amp;terms=vitaopathy</li>
<li>&ldquo;Most Beautiful Woman in Paris.&rdquo; The Times-Union. October 6, 1909. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1278623430/?match=6&amp;terms=To-Kalon</li>
<li>Neal, E. Virgil and John H. Moore. &ldquo;Modern Illustrative Banking.&rdquo; American Book Company. 1904. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/modernillustrati00neal/modernillustrati00neal/</li>
<li>Neal, E. Virgil and C.T. Craig. &ldquo;Modern Illustrative Bookkeeping.&rdquo; American Book Company 1901. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/illustratimodern00nealrich/page/16/mode/2up</li>
<li>&ldquo;Neal, of &lsquo;Nuxated Iron&rsquo; Fame, Held on Fraud Charge.&rdquo; Times-Transcript. April 15, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1106273916/?match=1&amp;terms=%22Neal%20of%20Nuxated%20Iron%22</li>
<li>&ldquo;Neal Returns for Business.&rdquo; Post-Standard. April 30, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1091107180/</li>
<li>Bennet, James. &ldquo;Tokalon.&rdquo; Cosmetics and Skin. Jan. 26, 2025. https://cosmeticsandskin.com/companies/tokalon.php</li>
<li>&ldquo;Gigantic Swindle Probably Bared.&rdquo; Nebraska City Weekly. Jan. 16, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/728074626</li>
<li>&ldquo;In Force of Life Case.&rdquo; Houston Post. Jan 13, 1907. https://www.newspapers.com/image/94975109</li>
<li>&ldquo;Nuxated Iron Sellers in Libel Suit.&rdquo; The Times-Transcript. June 10, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1106285753/?match=1&amp;terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22</li>
<li>&ldquo;Part I: The 1906 Food and Drugs Act and Its Enforcement.&rdquo; U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/changes-science-law-and-regulatory-authorities/part-i-1906-food-and-drugs-act-and-its-enforcement</li>
<li>&ldquo;Personal Magnetism.&rdquo; San Francisco Examiner. March 8, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/image/457762995/?match=1&amp;terms=Columbia%20Scientific%20academy</li>
<li>&ldquo;Pope Receives O&rsquo;Beirne.&rdquo; New York Times. Sept 25, 1910. https://www.newspapers.com/image/20505640/?match=1&amp;terms=%22pope%20receives%20o%27beirne%22</li>
<li>Schwarcz, Joe, PhD. &ldquo;The Prince of Quackery.&rdquo; McGill Office for Science and Society. July 16, 2025. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/pseudoscience-history/prince-quackery</li>
<li>&ldquo;Thought Waves Between &lsquo;Em.&rdquo; New York Sun. April 12, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-e-virgil-neal-and-the-a/185828789/</li>
<li>&ldquo;Tribune&rsquo;s Answer in Libel Suit Calls E. Virgil Neal a Quck.&rdquo; New York Tribune. June 23, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/469171423/?match=1&amp;terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22</li>
<li>&ldquo;Vain Search for Neal.&rdquo; New York Times. January 16, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/16/101763032.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>&ldquo;WORRIED ABOUT NEAL &amp; CO.: Depositors, You See, Don&rsquo;t Like Hypnotism in Banking.&rdquo; New York Sun. March 4, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-e-virgil-neal-hypnotic/176427712/</li>
</ul>

In the early 20th century, Neal's company Force of Life was investigated for fraud. But somehow, Neal managed to get through the scandal and went on to found a cosmetics company that became very successful. 

E. Virgil Neal: Hypnotist, Fraudster, Tycoon, Part 2

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/503f54b0-cfc5-4bec-a424-b463006a7029/transcript

E. Virgil Neal’s career started out with writing successful textbooks, but then took a turn into being a stage hypnotist and then a series of dicey mail-order businesses.

Research:
“Can’t Find E. Virgil Neal.” New York Times. January 15, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/15/100496816.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“Claimed to Raise the Dead.” Kansas City Star. Jan. 13, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/653825670/?match=1&terms=%22Claimed%20to%20raise%20the%20dead%22
Conroy, Mary Schaeffer. “The Cosmetics Baron You’ve Never Heard Of: E. Virgil Neal and Tokalon.” Third Edition. Altus History Publishing. 2014.
“E. Virgil Neal Passes Away at Geneva June 30.” The Sedalia Democrat. July 3, 1949. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sedalia-democrat-e-virgil-neal-obit/185827307/
“False Advertising Chief ‘Stimulant’ in Nixated Iron.” New York Tribune. Dec. 16,1917. https://www.newspapers.com/image/894241833/?terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22
“Force of Life Charges Dismissed.” Buffalo News. April 24, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/329115069/
“FORCE OF LIFE'S WIND-UP.; E. Virgil Neal Still Missing, but Offices Are Being Dismantled.” New York Times. Jan. 17, 1906. https://www.nytimes.com/1906/01/17/archives/force-of-lifes-windup-e-virgil-neal-still-missing-but-offices-are.html
“Force of Lifers Sent Many Decoy Letters.” New York Times. February 7, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/02/07/101765677.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“Here’s a Hyopnotic Bank.” New York Sun. March 3, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/image/207217198/?match=1&terms=Columbia%20Scientific%20academy
“How Force of Lifers Did a Rush Business.” New York Times. Jan. 15, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/15/100496815.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“James R. O’Beirne.” Fordham University. Office of the President. https://www.fordham.edu/about/leadership-and-administration/administrative-offices/office-of-the-president/about/hall-of-honor/james-r-obeirne/
“Jury Disagrees Cartilage Case.” Buffalo Courier Express. May 5, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/352806300/?match=1&terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22
“Medical Mail-order Frauds.” American Medical Association. 1915. Accessed online: https://books.google.com/books?id=Cyq6AAAAIAAJ&vq=neal&source=gbs_navlinks_s
“Medicine: From Sedalia.” Time Magazine. Dec. 25, 1933. https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,746617-1,00.html
“A Message to the Sick.” Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Feb. 9, 1900. https://www.newspapers.com/image/135238292/?match=1&terms=vitaopathy
“Most Beautiful Woman in Paris.” The Times-Union. October 6, 1909. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1278623430/?match=6&terms=To-Kalon
Neal, E. Virgil and John H. Moore. “Modern Illustrative Banking.” American Book Company. 1904. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/modernillustrati00neal/modernillustrati00neal/
Neal, E. Virgil and C.T. Craig. “Modern Illustrative Bookkeeping.” American Book Company 1901. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/illustratimodern00nealrich/page/16/mode/2up
“Neal, of ‘Nuxated Iron’ Fame, Held on Fraud Charge.” Times-Transcript. April 15, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1106273916/?match=1&terms=%22Neal%20of%20Nuxated%20Iron%22
“Neal Returns for Business.” Post-Standard. April 30, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1091107180/
Bennet, James. “Tokalon.” Cosmetics and Skin. Jan. 26, 2025. https://cosmeticsandskin.com/companies/tokalon.php
“Gigantic Swindle Probably Bared.” Nebraska City Weekly. Jan. 16, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/728074626
“In Force of Life Case.” Houston Post. Jan 13, 1907. https://www.newspapers.com/image/94975109
“Nuxated Iron Sellers in Libel Suit.” The Times-Transcript. June 10, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1106285753/?match=1&terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22
“Part I: The 1906 Food and Drugs Act and Its Enforcement.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/changes-science-law-and-regulatory-authorities/part-i-1906-food-and-drugs-act-and-its-enforcement
“Personal Magnetism.” San Francisco Examiner. March 8, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/image/457762995/?match=1&terms=Columbia%20Scientific%20academy
“Pope Receives O’Beirne.” New York Times. Sept 25, 1910. https://www.newspapers.com/image/20505640/?match=1&terms=%22pope%20receives%20o%27beirne%22
Schwarcz, Joe, PhD. “The Prince of Quackery.” McGill Office for Science and Society. July 16, 2025. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/pseudoscience-history/prince-quackery
“Thought Waves Between ‘Em.” New York Sun. April 12, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-e-virgil-neal-and-the-a/185828789/
“Tribune’s Answer in Libel Suit Calls E. Virgil Neal a Quck.” New York Tribune. June 23, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/469171423/?match=1&terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22
“Vain Search for Neal.” New York Times. January 16, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/16/101763032.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“WORRIED ABOUT NEAL & CO.: Depositors, You See, Don’t Like Hypnotism in Banking.” New York Sun. March 4, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-e-virgil-neal-hypnotic/176427712/

E. Virgil Neal&rsquo;s career started out with writing successful textbooks, but then took a turn into being a stage hypnotist and then a series of dicey mail-order businesses.
Research:
<ul>
<li>&ldquo;Can&rsquo;t Find E. Virgil Neal.&rdquo; New York Times. January 15, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/15/100496816.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>&ldquo;Claimed to Raise the Dead.&rdquo; Kansas City Star. Jan. 13, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/653825670/?match=1&amp;terms=%22Claimed%20to%20raise%20the%20dead%22</li>
<li>Conroy, Mary Schaeffer. &ldquo;The Cosmetics Baron You&rsquo;ve Never Heard Of: E. Virgil Neal and Tokalon.&rdquo; Third Edition. Altus History Publishing. 2014.</li>
<li>&ldquo;E. Virgil Neal Passes Away at Geneva June 30.&rdquo; The Sedalia Democrat. July 3, 1949. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sedalia-democrat-e-virgil-neal-obit/185827307/</li>
<li>&ldquo;False Advertising Chief &lsquo;Stimulant&rsquo; in Nixated Iron.&rdquo; New York Tribune. Dec. 16,1917. https://www.newspapers.com/image/894241833/?terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22</li>
<li>&ldquo;Force of Life Charges Dismissed.&rdquo; Buffalo News. April 24, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/329115069/</li>
<li>&ldquo;FORCE OF LIFE'S WIND-UP.; E. Virgil Neal Still Missing, but Offices Are Being Dismantled.&rdquo; New York Times. Jan. 17, 1906. https://www.nytimes.com/1906/01/17/archives/force-of-lifes-windup-e-virgil-neal-still-missing-but-offices-are.html</li>
<li>&ldquo;Force of Lifers Sent Many Decoy Letters.&rdquo; New York Times. February 7, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/02/07/101765677.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>&ldquo;Here&rsquo;s a Hyopnotic Bank.&rdquo; New York Sun. March 3, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/image/207217198/?match=1&amp;terms=Columbia%20Scientific%20academy</li>
<li>&ldquo;How Force of Lifers Did a Rush Business.&rdquo; New York Times. Jan. 15, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/15/100496815.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>&ldquo;James R. O&rsquo;Beirne.&rdquo; Fordham University. Office of the President. https://www.fordham.edu/about/leadership-and-administration/administrative-offices/office-of-the-president/about/hall-of-honor/james-r-obeirne/</li>
<li>&ldquo;Jury Disagrees Cartilage Case.&rdquo; Buffalo Courier Express. May 5, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/352806300/?match=1&amp;terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22</li>
<li>&ldquo;Medical Mail-order Frauds.&rdquo; American Medical Association. 1915. Accessed online: https://books.google.com/books?id=Cyq6AAAAIAAJ&amp;vq=neal&amp;source=gbs_navlinks_s</li>
<li>&ldquo;Medicine: From Sedalia.&rdquo; Time Magazine. Dec. 25, 1933. https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,746617-1,00.html</li>
<li>&ldquo;A Message to the Sick.&rdquo; Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Feb. 9, 1900. https://www.newspapers.com/image/135238292/?match=1&amp;terms=vitaopathy</li>
<li>&ldquo;Most Beautiful Woman in Paris.&rdquo; The Times-Union. October 6, 1909. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1278623430/?match=6&amp;terms=To-Kalon</li>
<li>Neal, E. Virgil and John H. Moore. &ldquo;Modern Illustrative Banking.&rdquo; American Book Company. 1904. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/modernillustrati00neal/modernillustrati00neal/</li>
<li>Neal, E. Virgil and C.T. Craig. &ldquo;Modern Illustrative Bookkeeping.&rdquo; American Book Company 1901. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/illustratimodern00nealrich/page/16/mode/2up</li>
<li>&ldquo;Neal, of &lsquo;Nuxated Iron&rsquo; Fame, Held on Fraud Charge.&rdquo; Times-Transcript. April 15, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1106273916/?match=1&amp;terms=%22Neal%20of%20Nuxated%20Iron%22</li>
<li>&ldquo;Neal Returns for Business.&rdquo; Post-Standard. April 30, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1091107180/</li>
<li>Bennet, James. &ldquo;Tokalon.&rdquo; Cosmetics and Skin. Jan. 26, 2025. https://cosmeticsandskin.com/companies/tokalon.php</li>
<li>&ldquo;Gigantic Swindle Probably Bared.&rdquo; Nebraska City Weekly. Jan. 16, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/728074626</li>
<li>&ldquo;In Force of Life Case.&rdquo; Houston Post. Jan 13, 1907. https://www.newspapers.com/image/94975109</li>
<li>&ldquo;Nuxated Iron Sellers in Libel Suit.&rdquo; The Times-Transcript. June 10, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1106285753/?match=1&amp;terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22</li>
<li>&ldquo;Part I: The 1906 Food and Drugs Act and Its Enforcement.&rdquo; U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/changes-science-law-and-regulatory-authorities/part-i-1906-food-and-drugs-act-and-its-enforcement</li>
<li>&ldquo;Personal Magnetism.&rdquo; San Francisco Examiner. March 8, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/image/457762995/?match=1&amp;terms=Columbia%20Scientific%20academy</li>
<li>&ldquo;Pope Receives O&rsquo;Beirne.&rdquo; New York Times. Sept 25, 1910. https://www.newspapers.com/image/20505640/?match=1&amp;terms=%22pope%20receives%20o%27beirne%22</li>
<li>Schwarcz, Joe, PhD. &ldquo;The Prince of Quackery.&rdquo; McGill Office for Science and Society. July 16, 2025. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/pseudoscience-history/prince-quackery</li>
<li>&ldquo;Thought Waves Between &lsquo;Em.&rdquo; New York Sun. April 12, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-e-virgil-neal-and-the-a/185828789/</li>
<li>&ldquo;Tribune&rsquo;s Answer in Libel Suit Calls E. Virgil Neal a Quck.&rdquo; New York Tribune. June 23, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/469171423/?match=1&amp;terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22</li>
<li>&ldquo;Vain Search for Neal.&rdquo; New York Times. January 16, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/16/101763032.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>&ldquo;WORRIED ABOUT NEAL &amp; CO.: Depositors, You See, Don&rsquo;t Like Hypnotism in Banking.&rdquo; New York Sun. March 4, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-e-virgil-neal-hypnotic/176427712/</li>
</ul>

E. Virgil Neal’s career started out with writing successful textbooks, but then took a turn into being a stage hypnotist and then a series of dicey mail-order businesses.

E. Virgil Neal: Hypnotist, Fraudster, Tycoon - Part 1

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