Hilma af Klint, the queen of abstract art, kept her creations hidden for years. She believed the world wasn't ready for her art. The hosts also discuss terrifying stories of people being buried alive and the inventions created to prevent such mishaps.
Hilma af Klint, the queen of abstract art, kept her art secret for decades due to the belief that the world wasn't ready, but she is finally receiving the credit she deserves.
The fear of being buried alive in the past led to the creation of safety coffins and tombs, equipped with gadgets like chemical toilets and radio transmitters, as precautions to prevent premature burial.
Cases of people being mistakenly pronounced dead and buried alive in history highlight the importance of accurate diagnosis and the need for caution when declaring someone dead.
Deep dives
The Fear of Being Buried Alive
Throughout history, there have been cases of people being mistakenly pronounced dead and buried alive, sparking fear and cautionary measures to prevent such horrific incidents. In the 19th century, hasty burials due to lack of modern medicine and refrigeration increased the risk of being buried alive. Safety coffins and tombs were created as precautions, equipped with gadgets like chemical toilets and radio transmitters. These safety measures were seen as a response to the fear of premature burial. Even renowned writer Edgar Allan Poe addressed this fear in his story 'Premature Burial.' While the likelihood of such incidents has decreased in modern times, the fear of being buried alive has persisted throughout history.
Essie Dunbar: The Woman Who Got Buried and Resurrected
In 1915, Essie Dunbar of South Carolina was declared dead after a severe epilepsy episode following a motorcycle accident. She was buried, unaware that she was still alive. To the surprise of everyone, she showed up at her own funeral, causing panic and confusion. Digging her up revealed that she was indeed alive, and she went on to live for many more years. This remarkable incident highlights the danger of misdiagnosis and premature burial, as well as the potential for miraculous recoveries.
Angelo Hayes and His Safety Coffin
Angelo Hayes, a Frenchman, survived a motorcycle accident in 1937, only to be mistakenly declared dead and buried. After being exhumed a few days later, he was found alive in his coffin. This experience led Hayes to design a safety coffin equipped with a chemical toilet and radio transmitter. He even went on tour to demonstrate the effectiveness of his invention. While the fear of premature burial has decreased in modern times, cases like these serve as a reminder of the importance of accurate diagnosis and the need for caution when pronouncing someone dead.
Octavia Smith Hatcher's Tragic Story
Octavia Smith Hatcher, a Kentucky woman, experienced severe depression after losing her infant son, Jacob, and eventually became bedridden and comatose. She was pronounced dead on May 2nd, after months of being unresponsive. This incident inspired the trend of safety coffins in the late 19th century, which aimed to prevent premature burial. Inventors designed various mechanisms, such as bells, hatches, air tubes, and distress signals, to give the buried person a chance to escape if they were mistakenly interred alive. However, there is no evidence that anyone has ever been saved by a safety coffin.
Instructions for Surviving Being Buried Alive
In the unlikely event of being buried alive, worstcasescenario.com offers survival instructions. The first step is to conserve your air supply by taking deep breaths and avoiding hyperventilation. Pressing up on the coffin lid can help determine if it will provide any give. If the coffin is made of thick material, your only hope is to tap SOS signals using a hard object to attract attention. You can also protect yourself from suffocation by tying a bandana around your neck to prevent dirt from entering your mouth. Breaking open the coffin, pushing dirt towards your feet, digging your way out, and remaining calm throughout the process can increase your chances of escape. It is worth noting that modern medical advancements have made being buried alive extremely rare.
Hayley covers the queen of abstract art, and communicating with the spirit realm, Hilma af Klint. Hilma kept her art secret for decades believing the world wasn’t ready. We are glad she is finally getting the credit she deserves! Then, if you don’t already have taphophobia, you definitely will after Kat’s lesson. She recounts three terrifying stories of people being buried alive, and the lengths inventors went to prevent future mishaps.
