Chronology
Orgone Timeline
Dates clarify the story. ORANUR, the 1953 rain anecdote, the 1954 injunction, the 1954-1955 Arizona expedition, and the 1956 destruction are related but not the same event.
1930s to early 1950s
1936-1938
Bion experiments
Reich conducts and publishes the Oslo bion work that later becomes central to the origin story of orgone.
1939-1940
Orgone theory in the United States
After immigrating to the United States, Reich develops orgone as a biological and atmospheric energy claim.
1940s
Accumulator work expands
The orgone accumulator becomes the key device for Reich’s biological and medical claims.
1948-1949
Orgone Energy Observatory built
The observatory at Orgonon is built and later preserved as part of the Wilhelm Reich Museum setting.
1951
ORANUR experiment
Reich begins work on orgone energy and nuclear radiation, later central to DOR and atmospheric claims.
1953
Cloudbuster public claims
The Maine blueberry-rain story becomes the best-known cloudbuster anecdote.
The FDA years
Mar. 19, 1954
Federal injunction
The decree of injunction against Reich and the foundation is entered by default.
Late 1954-Apr. 1955
Arizona expedition
Reich conducts desert and cloudbusting experiments in Arizona, later linked to Contact with Space.
May 3, 1956
Contempt verdict
The First Circuit later records that the defendants were tried by jury and found guilty.
1956
Destruction of devices and publications
Accumulators, parts, and orgone-related materials are destroyed under the court order.
Nov. 3, 1957
Reich dies in prison
Reich dies while incarcerated at the federal penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
Afterlife and modern vocabulary
1990s-2000s
Modern orgonite emerges online
Resin, metal, and crystal orgonite becomes a distinct subculture borrowing orgone vocabulary.
For the legal sequence in more detail, read the FDA case. For the present-day crystal-resin vocabulary, read orgonite today. For filtering by topic or source trail, use the interactive timeline tool.
Sources used on this page
- Wilhelm Reich Museum: Reich's research and publications - Museum chronology for bions, orgonomy, ORANUR, cloudbuster, and Arizona expedition.
- Internet Archive record: The Bion Experiments on the Origin of Life - Bibliographic record for the English edition of Reich’s bion work.
- Wilhelm Reich v. United States, 239 F.2d 134 - First Circuit contempt appeal describing the injunction, trial, and jurisdiction issues.
- FDA oral history interview with William Goodrich - FDA counsel recollection of the Reich case, labeling theory, and destruction issue.
- Center for Land Use Interpretation: The Reich Stuff - Site visit account describing Orgonon, cloudbusters, Arizona work, and preserved exhibits.
- Commercial explainer example: What is Orgonite and How Does It Work? - Used only as an example of modern orgonite materials and claims, not as evidence that claims are true.