Short Stuff: Safety Coffins

The podcast explores the history and cultural context surrounding safety coffins, which emerged from the 18th century fear of being buried alive, known as taphephobia. The discussion begins with George Washington's concern about premature burial and delves into the reasons behind this fear, including the limitations of medical technology at the time. The rise of romanticism and spiritualism contributed to the zeitgeist that blurred the lines between life and death, further fueling the demand for safety coffins. Various patents for these coffins, featuring mechanisms like bells and escape tubes, are examined. Examples include Christian Eisenbrand's spring-loaded lid and Franz Vester's coffin with a ladder and breathing tube. The podcast references Edgar Allan Poe's influence on the topic and concludes with the story of Timothy Clark Smith, who had a window installed in his grave to prevent premature burial.