The Halley's Comet Panic of 1910

Halley’s Comet Panic of 1910 Episode Description:

In this episode, we dive into the chaos surrounding the 1910 return of Halley’s Comet—a celestial event that sent shockwaves of fear across the globe. Fueled by sensationalist headlines, scientific misunderstandings, and deeply rooted superstitions, the comet’s approach sparked wild reactions, from mass prayer vigils to bizarre survival plans.

We’ll explore how the public's imagination ran wild, the opportunists who profited from the fear, and how the event became the blueprint for modern apocalyptic conspiracies.

Episode Highlights:

Historical Fears of Comets: Ancient civilizations viewed comets as omens of doom, often linked to death, war, and disaster. The Romans, Napoleon, and medieval societies all held deep fears of “bearded stars.”

The Cyanogen Panic:

Reports that Earth would pass through the comet's cyanogen gas tail led to fears of mass poisoning. Scientists tried to calm the public, but many people believed they needed protection.

Mass Hysteria and Strange Reactions:

People bought gas masks, anti-comet pills, and even makeshift oxygen tanks. Some built underground shelters, while others threw lavish comet-watching parties. In Oklahoma, a religious cult planned a human sacrifice to “ward off” the apocalypse.

Media Sensationalism:

Newspapers hyped the comet as a cosmic disaster, stoking public fear. Emerging mass media helped embed the event in popular culture, turning it into legend.

Fringe Beliefs and Modern Parallels:

Fringe groups believed the comet would magnetically disrupt human behavior and cause mass hysteria. These fears laid the groundwork for future cosmic panics and conspiracy theories.

Don’t Miss the Craziest Stories! We’ll close out with the most outrageous and bizarre claims from the 1910 comet panic—from "comet insurance policies" to alleged comet-proof inventions. This is history at its weirdest!