Russell Targ
Laser physicist and SRI remote viewing co-founder (with Hal Puthoff); Stargate Project researcher
01 Executive_Summary
Russell Targ (born April 11, 1934, Chicago) is a laser physicist and parapsychology researcher. He is the son of William Targ, the American book editor who published works including Blavatsky's biography and Erich von Daniken's 'Chariots of the Gods.' Targ earned a B.S. in Physics from Queens College (1954) and did graduate work at Columbia University as a research assistant with C.S. Wu. His early career focused on laser research at the Technical Research Group (co-authored paper with Gordon Gould on homodyne detection, 1962) and Sylvania Electronic Systems (kilowatt CW laser operation, 1969). In 1972, he joined SRI International's Electronics and Bioengineering Laboratory, where he co-founded the remote viewing program with Harold E. Puthoff, coining the term 'remote viewing.' The SRI program had contracts with CIA, DIA, Army Intelligence, and NASA. Targ worked at SRI until 1982 and presented at the USSR Academy of Sciences (1983, 1984). He is the author of 8+ books including 'Mind Reach' (with Puthoff, 45,000 copies) and 'The Mind Race' (75,000 copies, SF Chronicle Best Seller).
03 Deep_Dive_Intelligence
Intelligence Summary: Russell Targ
Node Identity: Russell Targ is a laser physicist who co-founded the SRI International remote viewing program with Hal Puthoff in 1972. His work represents one of the most significant US government-funded investigations into psychic phenomena for intelligence applications.
Education:
- B.S. Physics, Queens College, New York, 1954 (also studied philosophy and psychology)
- Graduate work in physics, Columbia University (research assistant with C.S. Wu, who later won the Nobel Prize)
Laser Research Career:
- 1958: Started laser research career
- Technical Research Group (TRG) — early laser research
- 1962: Co-authored paper with Gordon Gould on homodyne detection with laser light
- Sylvania Electronic Systems
- Frequency modulation and mode-locking of lasers
- 1969: Co-authored paper on kilowatt continuous wave laser operation
- Two NASA awards for inventions and contributions in lasers and laser communications
SRI Remote Viewing Program (1972-1982):
- Joined SRI Electronics and Bioengineering Laboratory in 1972
- Senior research physicist
- Program founded by Harold E. Puthoff
- Coined the term 'remote viewing' with Puthoff
- Contracts with CIA, DIA, Army Intelligence, and NASA
- Worked at SRI until 1982
- USSR Academy of Sciences presentations (1983, 1984)
Remote Viewing Research Findings:
- Co-founded SRI psychic abilities investigation (1970s-1980s)
- Stargate Project (DIA)
- Published in Nature, IEEE Proceedings, AAAS Proceedings
- Reported statistical significance: 4 standard deviations from chance, effect sizes >0.6
- Claimed accuracy independent of distance (up to 10,000 km) and time (several days into future)
- Operational tasks for CIA, FBI, military intelligence
Books (8+):
- 'Mind Reach: Scientists Look at Psychic Ability' (1977, 2005, with Puthoff) — 45,000 copies
- 'Mind at Large: IEEE Symposia on ESP' (1979, 2002, with Tart and Puthoff)
- 'The Mind Race: Understanding and Using Psychic Abilities' (1984, with Harary) — 75,000 copies, SF Chronicle Best Seller
- 'Miracles of Mind' (1998, with Katra) — 25,000 copies
- 'The Heart of the Mind' (1999, with Katra)
- 'Limitless Mind' (2004) — 21,000 copies
- 'The End of Suffering' (2006, with Hurtak)
- 'Do You See What I See?: Memoirs of a Blind Biker' (2008)
Evidence Calibration:
- ESTABLISHED: Education, laser research career (TRG, Sylvania), SRI (1972-1982), Nature/IEEE publications
- ESTABLISHED: Remote viewing program co-founding with Puthoff, Stargate Project
- DISPUTED: Remote viewing validity (statistical claims debated; CIA AIR 1995 concluded not operationally useful)
- DISPUTED: 'Accuracy independent of distance and time' (not independently replicated at claimed effect sizes)
04 Network_Linkage
Russell Targ is the co-founder (with Hal Puthoff) of the SRI remote viewing program, which became the Stargate Project under DIA sponsorship. His laser physics background connects him to the broader advanced physics community. His SRI work connects him to the CIA, DIA, Army Intelligence, and NASA. His publications with Puthoff ('Mind Reach') connect him to the public-facing side of the remote viewing program. His father William Targ's publication of esoteric literature (Blavatsky, von Daniken) provides an interesting familial connection to the alternative knowledge ecosystem.
05 Related_Entities (2)
05b Related_Topics (3)
06 Research_Findings (1)
Expanded Targ profile: laser research career, SRI remote viewing co-founding with Puthoff, Stargate Project, 8+ books
07 Key_Findings
- ▸ B.S. Physics, Queens College, New York, 1954 (also studied philosophy and psychology)
- ▸ Graduate work in physics, Columbia University (research assistant with C.S. Wu, who later won the Nobel Prize)
- ▸ 1958: Started laser research career
- ▸ Technical Research Group (TRG) — early laser research
- ▸ 1962: Co-authored paper with Gordon Gould on homodyne detection with laser light
09 Timeline_Mentions (1)
View Full Timeline → View on Network Graph →10 FAQ
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Last updated: Research database snapshot