When medicine advanced in the 1800s, scientists and doctors needed more bodies to study. This inspired a new fear for Victorians — being dug up for medical research. To guard against bodysnatchers, people took a number of measures, including inventing and patenting special coffins and burial devices.
Funeral homes were eager to sell “special” sealing coffins to keep graverobbers out.
Inventors were interested in deterring bodysnatchers with their own violent end — with grave TORPEDOES.
TORPEDOES. IN COFFINS.
WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?
Gurl,
You is a facinatin’ study in
Strange.
Like to know you bettah.
Hear you’ve got a Dark-Eyed Husband?
Always on point,
The Good Doctor
(…only Ph.D.. … sorry…)
If it’s wrong to find graverobbing in Victorian times so fascinating, then I don’t want to be right. Those advertisements are golden!