Lunar Lunacy: The Great Moon Hoax

The Great Moon Hoax of 1835, when The New York Sun tried to sell us a giant lunar spider and we bought it hook, line and sinker. In the summer of 1835, The New York Sun, a newspaper of the time, pulled off one of the greatest scams in history. They convinced the world that the moon was not just a big dusty rock in the sky, but a veritable hotbed of weird and wonderful creatures.

 

Dark silhouette of a jackdaw in a tree with the Moon in the background.
Image is courtesy of Unsplash.com

 

Richard Adams Locke’s Ingenious Deception

The mastermind behind this hoax was a man named Richard Adams Locke, who wrote a series of articles claiming that a group of “world-renowned” astronomers had discovered life on the moon. According to the articles, the telescope they had used was so powerful that it could see every detail of the lunar surface, and the discoveries they made were nothing short of astounding. There were winged humanoids, beavers the size of bears, and even a giant lunar spider, that was big enough to eat said beavers.

The articles caused quite the stir, people couldn’t get enough of the wild and unbelievable tales of lunar life. The paper’s circulation went through the roof and people were willing to pay a premium to read about the exciting new discoveries. The hoax was so successful that even the great Edgar Allan Poe was convinced and wrote an article in support of the discoveries.

 

Lithograph of the 'ruby amphitheater' from the 1835 Moon Hoax article in The Sun
A lithograph depicting the hoax’s “ruby amphitheater,” as published in The Sun.

 

Exposing the Truth Behind the Lunar Deception

But as it turns out, it was all a load of lunar baloney. The telescope that Locke claimed to have used didn’t exist, the “astronomers” were fictional characters and the giant lunar spider was just a figment of his imagination. But, by that point, it was too late, the damage was done, people were hooked on the idea of lunar life and the paper’s circulation continued to soar.

The Great Moon Hoax of 1835 is a classic example of how a good story, a little bit of imagination and a whole lot of chutzpah can fool people into believing just about anything. But it’s also a hilarious reminder of how, even in the 19th century, human beings were willing to suspend their disbelief for a good yarn, especially when it comes to extraterrestrial life. So, next time you’re looking up at the moon, just remember, there’s a good chance that giant lunar spider is just a figment of someone’s imagination.

 

Lithograph illustrating the Moon’s surface, part of the 1835 Moon Hoax series
View of the Moon, one of six Lithographs originally published alongside the 1835 Moon Hoax article. 

Lessons from the Great Moon Hoax

Beyond its immediate impact as a sensational scam, the Great Moon Hoax of 1835 offers a fascinating glimpse into the human psyche and the societal context of the time. It underscores humanity’s enduring fascination with the unknown and the boundless possibilities of exploration, whether it be in the realms of science or storytelling. Moreover, it highlights the power of media in shaping public opinion and the willingness of individuals to believe in the extraordinary, particularly when presented with convincing narratives.

As we reflect on this historical event, it serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of critical thinking and skepticism, even in the face of captivating tales. Yet, it also reminds us of the enduring allure of mystery and the enduring quest to unravel the secrets of the universe, a quest that continues to drive scientific inquiry and captivate imaginations to this day.

The pictures in this article are in the public domain in the United States because it was published (or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office) before January 1, 1929.

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