History of Polygraph

“Each of us, at least once in a life, has asked themselves: ‘Am I being lied to?’ or ‘How do I say a lie and get away with it?’ Trying to find an answer to the latter, one may come up with all kinds of gimmicks and twists. Answering the first question is way more complicated. Polygraph, or ‘lie detector’ as journalists aptly dubbed it in the 1920s, was designed to detect and record the deception. The theory is that when a person lies, the lying causes a certain amount of stress that produces changes in several involuntary physiological reactions.

A series of different sensors are attached to the body, and as the polygraph measures changes in breathing, blood pressure, pulse and perspiration, pens record the data on graph paper. During a lie detector test, the operator asks a series of control questions that set the pattern of how an individual responds when giving true and false answers. Then the actual questions are asked, mixed in with filler questions.

An earlier and less successful lie detector or polygraph machine was invented by James Mackenzie in 1902. However, the modern polygraph machine was invented by John Larson in 1921. John Larson, a University of California medical student, invented the modern lie detector (polygraph) in 1921.

At the federal level alone, the polygraph is used extensively in counter-intelligence, counter-terrorism, and counter-narcotics programs in addition to criminal investigations, intelligence operations, presidential protection and nuclear materials containment. There are at least 68 countries world wide where the polygraph is used for similar applications. In the private sector, polygraph is used extensively by individuals, families, therapists, attorneys, courts, business and many other entities.

Commercial Production of Lie Detectors
By the end of 1930s three US companies had already been mass-producing ‘lie detectors’. Almost one hundred police departments in 28 states were making ample use of this instrument in their everyday work, and dozens of banks and commercial firms in the northern states introduced polygraph for recruiting purposes and in-house investigations. By the end of 1930s three US companies had already been commercially producing lie detectors, almost one hundred police precincts in 28 states had been widely using it, and tens of banks and business firms had been using then for screening job applicants and conducting in-house investigations.
With the advent of World War II the American Psychological Society undertakes a special study to verify the reliability of polygraph examination for the benefit of the country. Having thoroughly analyzed the polygraph examination practical achievements and application of the technique in law-enforcement agencies and business environment, the research committee concluded that “lie detection methods are sufficiently developed, necessary technology is there and a good number of well-trained specialists are available.