A phrenology chart is a “map”, a (paper or ceramic) interpretation of a human skull, mapped out using the theories of phrenology. Phrenology is a now discredited practice that can be traced back to ancient Greek times, where Aristotle first started to discover the locations of various personality traits within the shape of the head, as well as determining statuses of other organs just from one’s head.
However, Joseph Gail, a German physicist, is often considered the originator of the phrenology chart; creating a map of different bumps found on the human head. It was even used in certain circumstances to see into the future lives of men and women, even children; to see who was predisposed to financial success, fame, or even violence. Several individuals studied under Gail and adopted this method, and eventually Lorenzo Niles Fowler from the United States, as well as other associates, opened a phrenological firm as well as a publishing house. Lorenzo created the now famous “head of phrenology,” which served as a map to personality and character traits of individuals. These theories were practiced throughout America and Western Europe, having books and societies dedicated to this practice.
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Years later, phrenology charts were dismissed by many as invalid theories, however many phrenology maps remain; several maps are found in paper form, within journals and posters (which were often used as charts by doctors). There are also ceramic versions of phrenology charts, which mimicked the actual human head and were produced often until the early 1900s.
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