Let's begin our history with what I know. The GHOST was designed by J.R. "Bob" Ramsey of Springfield Oregon, and produced in a small factory somewhere in the midwest. It featured two 3" clock style springs, one for the forward motion, the other for the return. From the rumors I've read on the net, Shelley Manne may have also been in on the design. The patent was applied for on October 27, 1947, and was granted on May 8, 1951.

Netizen Dick Allen was kind enough to copy the following info from an early GHOST brochure.

How the Ghost Pedal got its name:

During World War II, the inventor, Bob Ramsey, was a member of Scouting Six, a Dive Bombing Squadron aboard the Aircraft Carrier, ENTERPRISE. As most people know, our fleet was heavily damaged at Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941. This left the ENTERPRISE to go after the enemy in such a fashion that they didn't know who it was or where it came from, so it became a foe from the fog or foul weather or night. This reaction prompted the famous correspondent, Walter Winchell to give the ship the tag, "The Gallopin' Ghost of The Oahu Coast."

1942 proved to have its work cut out for the ENTERPRISE and she stepped into the assignment with gusto. Hitting the enemy from here and from there, sometimes light, sometimes hard, sometimes hurt but still slugging it out. It was no more than right that this gallant ship should go through this terrific struggle to become known as the greatest ship of our history. It was in between battles that Bob was designing a pedal for the drummer on the ship and during this time he discovered the action he had been searching for so after coming home on a disability he proceeded to obtain a patent. It was then that Bob and his wife, Margie, sat down and discussed what to call the "gizz". And it was Margie who said "since you discovered the action while aboard the Gallopin' Ghost--why not just call it the GHOST?"

This has been done and the name copyrighted and Bob hopes that this great drum pedal goes on to claim the respect of drummers and other musicians similar to the respect we all give the great ship from which it got its name--the GHOST.

(signed) BOB RAMSEY

Here are some great photos from the original style GHOST, complete with exposed springs. Notice in the picture of the footboard and clamp you can just make out "The Phantom Action GHOST." Click any of the thumbnails for larger images. Patent info on this early GHOST can be found in the reference section.