Dr. Samuel A. Aykroyd was a Canadian dentist, inventor, and devoted Spiritualist whose influence extended deeply into both Spiritualist practice and culture. A prolific experimenter, he developed and promoted various spirit communication devices, including early talking boards, and was an enthusiastic supporter of séance phenomena and mediumship. Aykroyd viewed Spiritualism not as superstition, but as a legitimate exploration of unseen natural laws.

A central figure in the Canadian Spiritualist movement, Dr. Aykroyd hosted séances in his home and was closely connected to prominent mediums and researchers of the era. His work reflected the broader Victorian belief that science, invention, and spirit communication could coexist, and that technology might serve as a bridge between worlds.

Dr. Aykroyd’s legacy extended beyond his own lifetime through his great-grandson, Dan Aykroyd, who grew up immersed in Spiritualist ideas and history. These influences directly shaped the creation of Ghostbusters (1984), which drew inspiration from real Spiritualist concepts, psychical research, and spirit communication practices. The film’s blend of humor, science, and the supernatural reflects a modern reinterpretation of the same questions that captivated the Spiritualists of the 19th century—demonstrating how the movement’s influence continues to echo through popular culture.