More than half of Australians believe in life after death. Some even believe we can communicate with the dead.  In the nineteenth century, the Spiritualist movement claimed to speak with the dead through mediums and seances.

This  American movement attracted many women; and at a time when they had few rights, Spiritualism gave women a voice as mediums who could take messages from the dead to the living. 

It used to have followers in the millions,  though the escape artist and illusionist Harry Houdini insisted they were frauds – and he lobbied the US Congress to ban the practice.

So what made it so controversial and influential? And why do we remain intrigued by what happens – if anything - after we die?