Oct

We wants to make your flesh creep

For some creepy Halloween fun, Rebecca Seel combed the collections of the American History Museum to uncover six common phobias—sort of a historical Fear Factor.

The dark (nyctophobia)

Perhaps most pervasive in childhood, fear of the dark can still spook us as adults! Miners in the past got used to working in the dark. They used many different sources of light to guide their way underground, but many of those methods came with dangerous trade-offs. Oil-wick and carbide lamps could be hung on the brim of a cap, letting miners work quickly and efficiently in the dark, but their open flames could (and often did) ignite flammable gases. Deadly explosions were tragically common in U.S. coal mines until the early 20th century. If you’d like to learn more, check out the museum’s expansive collection of mining lights and hats.

Black and white photo of miners — Photography underground is impossible without artificial light. This picture shows the dynamo, or electric generator, built to illuminate the underground works of the Shenandoah Colliery. Note that the men running th eplant are wearing miner’s lamps with an open flame, often called teapot lamps.

(Also, this 1897 mining journal may shed some light on the life of miners, including their harsh working conditions in the dark.)

Germs (germophobia or mysophobia)

While we may have the comforts of antibacterial hand gel, surgical masks, and modern medicine, previous eras had different soaps and cleansers that a germ-averse person might have turned to for their ailments.

Bar of soap wrappe din black paper with label — Corrosive sublimate soap made by Armour and Company in Chicago. The product’s main active ingredients are 87.5% anhydrous soap and 0.5% mercuric chloride.

One ingredient in this Corrosive Sublimate Soap is mercuric chloride, which was used in early antibacterial soaps and is still used in skin-whitening soaps. Nothing to fear from mercuric chloride, except brain damage, kidney failure, and drooling.

Tarkon package with product packets — Tarkon Germicide and Antiseptic, originally sold by Sherman Pharmacy. The primary active ingredient is 25% sodium chloride (salt).

Also, anyone concerned with germs may have found solace in Tarkon Germicide and Antiseptic, with the following varied and myriad uses provided by the manufacturer: “Acid Mouth, After Shaving, Catarrh, Bad Breath, Cold Sores, Dandruff, Ear Troubles, Eye Troubles, Hives, Insect Bites, Odors, Piles, Pyorrhea, Sunburn, Women’s Hygiene, Wounds, General Disinfecting and Deodorizing.”

Dogs (cynophobia)

WWI soldier and dog — Private J. Robert Conroy and Stubby in France.

People scared of canines may not hold warm feelings toward Stubby the dog, but this pup was a brave companion to American soldiers. “Sgt. Stubby” found himself in a scary situation or two, serving in 17 battles during World War I. Once, he even managed to capture himself a German soldier! Upon returning home from the war, Stubby received fame and accolades, including visits to the White House and a meeting with General John J. Pershing.

Stubby the dog gets a medal — Stubby being decorated by General John J. Pershing

Stubby lived on to strike fear in the hearts of his opponents when he became the mascot for the Georgetown Hoyas.

Taxidermy dog — Stuffed Stubby wearing a blanket adorned with medals.

Flying (aviophobia)

Image of Thaddeus Lowe's balloon test of the "Intrepid" at the battle of Fair Oaks, Virginia, during the Peninsular Campaign, May-August 1862. — Image of Thaddeus Lowe’s balloon test of the “Intrepid” at the battle of Fair Oaks, Virginia, during the Peninsular Campaign, May-August 1862. Note that this is a composite image, consisting of the May 31, 1862, stereo view photograph showing people on the ground and the basket of the balloon, with the balloon labeled “Intrepid” drawn in above the original image.

Imagine you have a fear of flying. Now imagine that it is the 1860s and you are an aerial spy floating in a hot-air balloon, trying to spy on the Confederates. Thaddeus Lowe, an aeronaut who conducted military reconnaissance in balloons, had no such fear, as he enthusiastically took to the sky in his balloon called the Intrepid, spying on Confederate camp and troop movements at the battle of Fair Oaks. While plenty of people may have balked at Lowe’s flying, President Lincoln was filled with wonderment and couldn’t stop talking about the amazing floating spy machine.

Old photo of balloon being inflated — Thaddeus Lowe inflating his balloon Intrepid during the Battle of Fair Oaks.

Mice (musophobia)

What is it about mice that makes one shriek? That causes one to jump on the nearest available flat surface, as this 1892 stereograph depicts?

Humorous sterograph of woman jumping on chair

Scientists who are afraid of mice must rise above it. The OncoMouse is a genetically modified laboratory mouse created in the mid-1980s to carry a specific gene that aids scientists in cancer research. Mallory Warner of the Division of Medicine and Science discusses the patented creature and the ethical concerns it raises surrounding animal research.

Thunder/Lightning (astraphobia)

Framed painting depicting Franklin with kite

Thunder and lightning aren’t so frightening. Well not to Ben Franklin, that is! While bolts of lightning snaking across the sky may frighten many of us, Franklin stayed outside to perform his famous kite experiment in which he attempted to prove that lightning was an electrical force. This painted panel dates to the early 19th century, when it was popular for volunteer fire companies to proudly decorate their engines for use in parades. The panel depicts the famous scene in 1752 as Franklin and his son William (actually 21 years old at the time!) stand in the storm to observe the experiment.

Last, but certainly not least, the Torch would like to contribute the creepiest phobia of them all: Pediophobia, a fear of dolls:

This patent model accompanied George Pemberton Clarke's patent submission for a moving baby doll. The doll's head, two arms, and two legs are made of plaster. The arms and legs are hinged to a brass clockwork body that imitates crawling by rolling along on two toothed wheels. — This patent model accompanied George Pemberton Clarke’s patent submission for a moving baby doll. The doll’s head, two arms, and two legs are made of plaster. The arms and legs are hinged to a brass clockwork body that imitates crawling by rolling along on two toothed wheels.

This doll, made c. 1900, was an improvement on Clarke's design. Inside the doll's body is a spring-driven brass mechanical movement that actuates the arms and legs in imitation of crawling, though the doll actually moves along on two concealed wheels. — This doll, made c. 1900, was an improvement on Clarke’s design. Inside the doll’s body is a spring-driven brass mechanical movement that actuates the arms and legs in imitation of crawling, though the doll actually moves along on two concealed wheels.

Boo!

Rebecca Seel works in the New Media and Communications and Marketing offices of the American History Museum. She is terrified of spiders. This post was originally published in 2018 by American history’s blog, O Say Can You See?