Con Men and Comets

By Kristin O’Donnell Tubb

On May 18 and 19, 1910, Earth passed through the tail of Halley’s Comet. The world’s greatest scientists assured everyone that no harm would befall the planet. But uncertainty and fear grew as the comet drew ever closer. Newspapers fanned the flames; they ran dozens of stories each day, with headlines shouting: ”Entire World Eagerly Awaits Comet” and “Host of Converts at Revivals, All Afraid of Comet” and “To Escape the Comet, Hire Submarine Boat.”

Where there is fear, there are always folks looking to cash in, and the Comet Hysteria of 1910 was no exception. People hawked everything from gas masks to lead umbrellas to comet pills. Turning a buck off of Sir Edmond Halley’s fiery beast became in vogue.

Many advertisers chose to capitalize on the trend, too. Harris Eyeglasses ran an ad that read:

You can see Halley’s Comet clearly with the naked eye if your eyesight is perfect. If, however, the comet is not clear and distinct, wear HARRIS GLASSES. They enable you to see just as nature intended.

Pears’ Soap adopted as its new slogan:

Pears’ Soap is visible day and night all over the world.

And an enterprising bank ran this ad:

Halley’s Comet, like other comets, is a thing of mystery. But there is no mystery about our SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES. It is a cold, hard fact that they are absolutely fireproof.

The music industry chased the trend, too. Sheet music, the predecessor to songs released as singles, was sold by pluggers at a jitney per. Songs sported titles like “The Halley’s Comet Rag,” “The Comet and the Earth,” and “The Comet March and Two-Step.”

Earth traversing the tail of Halley’s Comet in 1910 is now considered to be the first case of worldwide mass hysteria. It was the first time that there were ample enough media (newspapers; radios weren’t yet in wide use) to alert the majority of Earth’s citizens to a single phenomenon. Advertisers and hucksters alike took advantage of this widespread knowledge, “hitching their wagons to the comet.”

About the author: Kristin O’Donnell Tubb is the author of SELLING HOPE (Feiwel & Friends) and AUTUMN WINIFRED OLIVER DOES THINGS DIFFERENT (Delacorte/Yearling), both historical fiction for middle-grade readers. Her next book, THE 13TH SIGN, will be released in 2012. Please visit her website: www.kristintubb.com.

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Marina

This is fascinating. Though I wonder how one calls it a first mass hysteria. Didn’t fears of impending Apocalypse seize parts of world again and again prior to that? PS I love the anti-comet pills ad!
Urbano

I would love to win a copy of this. Please enter me in the draw.
Amy Tatarsky

I’m in that era right now – reading American Lightning. I would love to read this one as well! Please enter me in the drawing!
Stephanie

I would love to win a copy of this book!
Kara Hanko

I would love to win a copy of Selling Hope. The book seems very interesting and I love how musicians jumped on the Halley’s Comet bandwagon too!

I am a huge history buff and happy I came across your blog. Thanks for sharing!
http://www.twitter.com/jani_s Janine

Oooh, this book sounds so neat. (And now I want a safety deposit box. Thanks 1910s advertising copy.) Please enter me in your drawing!
http://pasadenadailyphoto.blogspot.com/ Petrea Burchard

I’m enjoying this blog so much, and this book sounds like a delight. Thanks for the opportunities.
Carol Wong

I remember reading about Haley’s comet when I was a child but learned nothing of the interesting facts about how people reacted to it (gas masks), the music composed about it or the commerical selling of the comet!

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
http://fewmorepages.blogspot.com Katy F.

Oh, what a fun premise. Please throw my name in the hat!
http://theviewfromsarisworld.blogspot.com/2010/07/dracula-in-love-must-read-for-everyone.html sari

I love this kind of book, part trivia part science. I would love a chance to win the book. Of course it is also going on my wish list pile. It sounds like one that should not be passed up.
If I do win, I will be sure to post a review of it on my blog and spread the word!
http://bookbesottedlibrarian.blogspot.com/ Donell

This one is already on my reading list. Love that period of time! Thanks for the opportunity.
Jenn Webb

I would love a copy of this book! Thank you for the great giveaways
http://indiereaderhouston.com/blog Cassandra

I’ve never been a big one for history books, but the authors here choose really good subjects. I can’t help but be enthusiastic. Please enter me! Thanks!
http://www.ericjackson.com Eric Jackson

What a great commentary on people and events. Some things never change. I look forward to reading this book.
Carol

My grandmother talked of being 11 years old when the comet passed and the fear was that the earth would be set afire! Even in rural Southern Illinois in 1910 it was a huge event – Fortunately for my Gram, she lived to see its return in 1986. would love to read the book!
Cathie

I’d love to be entered. Thank you!
Michelle

People are always finding reasons to panic. Looks fascinating!
Lavonda Robinette

I would love to read this book!
Jennifer Hunsicker

This sounds like a wonderful story set in a fascinating time period. I would love to read more about Halley’s Comet and the story Kristen has woven here.
librarypat

Mankind seems to have always responded to the unknown in predictable ways. Some will fear it and another group will prey upon them taking advantage of that fear. It seems modern times and knowledge haven’t changed these reactions.
Thanks for the interesting post on the 1910 visit of Halley’s comet. SELLING HOPE sounds like a good child’s view of taking advantage of the situation to get something you really want.

Con Men and Comets

By Kristin O’Donnell Tubb

Where there is fear, there are always folks looking to cash in, and the Comet Hysteria of 1910 was no exception. People hawked everything from gas masks to lead umbrellas to comet pills. Turning a buck off of Sir Edmond Halley’s fiery beast became in vogue.

Many advertisers chose to capitalize on the trend, too. Harris Eyeglasses ran an ad that read:

You can see Halley’s Comet clearly with the naked eye if your eyesight is perfect. If, however, the comet is not clear and distinct, wear HARRIS GLASSES. They enable you to see just as nature intended.

Pears’ Soap adopted as its new slogan:

Pears’ Soap is visible day and night all over the world.

And an enterprising bank ran this ad:

Halley’s Comet, like other comets, is a thing of mystery. But there is no mystery about our SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES. It is a cold, hard fact that they are absolutely fireproof.

The music industry chased the trend, too. Sheet music, the predecessor to songs released as singles, was sold by pluggers at a jitney per. Songs sported titles like “The Halley’s Comet Rag,” “The Comet and the Earth,” and “The Comet March and Two-Step.”

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