Annie Auerbach

Martin Caidin was a prolific American author, screenwriter, and recognized authority on aeronautics and aviation. He authored over 50 books and more than a thousand magazine articles. Caidin's fiction often explored advancements in technology and their societal impacts, notably featuring themes of bionics and cyborgs. His novel "Cyborg" served as the foundation for the popular "The Six Million Dollar Man" franchise.

Beyond his fictional works, Caidin possessed a deep passion for aviation. He was a pilot who personally restored a vintage Junkers Ju 52 aircraft, "Iron Annie," and set a world record for wing-walking on it. He also participated in significant aviation events, including a transatlantic flight of B-17 bombers. In his later life, Caidin developed an interest in the paranormal, claiming to possess telekinetic abilities, which were met with skepticism by figures like James Randi.

Martin Caidin established himself as a writer with a keen interest in future technologies and their implications, drawing parallels to authors like Michael Crichton. His fiction frequently explored themes of cyborgs and bionics, with his 1972 novel "Cyborg" famously inspiring the "The Six Million Dollar Man" television series. He penned sequels to "Cyborg" and other works incorporating advanced concepts, such as "The God Machine." Caidin also wrote extensively on military history, particularly concerning aviation, with titles like "Samurai!" and "Black Thursday." His space-themed novels, including "Marooned," which was adapted into a film, and "Exit Earth," often reflected contemporary space exploration efforts and future possibilities.

Caidin's expertise extended beyond writing into practical aviation. As a pilot, he acquired and meticulously restored a 1936 Junkers Ju 52 aircraft, which he named "Iron Annie." He piloted this restored plane on record-setting flights and extensive tours of vintage aircraft shows. His experiences with "Iron Annie" were chronicled in "The Saga of Iron Annie" and influenced his novel "Jericho 52." Caidin also participated in significant aviation events, such as a transatlantic flight of B-17 bombers, and contributed to aviation safety by writing an FAA-approved manual for the Messerschmitt Bf 108. His achievements in aviation writing earned him the Aviation/Space Writers Association award twice.

In the mid-1980s, Martin Caidin, known for his rigorous attention to technical detail, began asserting he possessed psychic abilities, specifically telekinesis, demonstrated through moving small devices called "energy wheels" or "psi wheels." This shift into paranormal claims occurred despite his established reputation for factual accuracy in his other works. His novel "Three Corners To Nowhere" also incorporated supernatural elements. While he engaged in demonstrations and workshops, his claims faced scrutiny. Parapsychologist Loyd Auerbach supported Caidin's abilities, but magician James Randi publicly challenged him to a test, which Caidin reportedly avoided.