Stuff You Should Know SYSK Selects: What's the Deal with Crop Circles?
Jun 15, 2019
Dive into the whimsical world of crop circles, where art meets mystery! Discover how these intriguing formations, once thought to be alien messages, are cleverly crafted by humans. Explore the playful cultural theories, including a nod to Led Zeppelin's rumored connections. Enjoy a lighthearted debate between skeptics and enthusiasts about the origins and significance of these stunning installations, along with humorous anecdotes and insights from those who helped create them. It's a fascinating blend of art, science, and myth!
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Led Zeppelin and Crop Circles
- Led Zeppelin's 1990 box set cover featured a crop circle with the band's zeppelin casting a shadow.
- This implied Led Zeppelin created crop circles, a claim later debunked.
The Mowing Devil
- A 17th-century woodcut called "The Mowing Devil" depicts a devil creating a crop circle.
- The woodcut illustrates a story about a man who'd rather have the devil harvest his grain than pay a laborer.
The First Hoax
- Doug Bower and Dave Chorley created the first hoax crop circle in 1978 after a conversation in a pub.
- Initially unnoticed, their crop circles gained attention in 1981 when they created one on an inclined field.