Phrenology

Although phrenology remained popular right into the 20th century, these days it’s just regarded as a Pseudo-Science, and quite rightly so. Nevertheless, it remains an historic curiosity, giving insight into how people thought during a period when emerging sciences were still in its infancy.

Phrenology, also known as craniology, emerged in the late 18th century as a pseudoscience purporting to determine an individual’s character, personality traits, and mental faculties by examining the shape and contours of their skull. Developed by Franz Joseph Gall, a German physician, phrenology gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in Europe and the United States.