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Hoaxes Throughout History: 1700-1799 The Age of Enlightenment. Science and learning blossomed in Europe. People met in coffeehouses and salons to debate politics and philosophy. In this milieu, hoaxes paradoxically flourished. After all, hoaxes are just as much about exposing deception and credulity as they are about deceiving others, so they fit very well into the culture of the Enlightenment. Many of the most famous figures of this period were passionate hoaxers (as well as hoax-exposers): Benjamin Franklin, Daniel DeFoe, and Jonathan Swift, to name a few. 1704: The Native of Formosa European masquerades as man from Taiwan 1708: The Predictions of Isaac Bickerstaff Astrologer learns that he has died—insists it isn't so 1706-1790: Hoaxes of Benjamin Franklin The great man who was a printer, philosopher, statesman, and hoaxer 1726: Mary Toft and the Rabbit Babies The woman who gave birth to rabbits and, for a few weeks, was the most famous woman in England. 1726: The Lying Stones of Dr. Beringer A German naturalist discovers some of the most spectacular fossils ever found. Too bad they were fake. 1729: Madagascar—Or Robert Drury's Journal A travel hoax, or a true account of life in 18th century Madagascar? 1763: Linnaeus's Butterflies A case of a hoax species 1766: The Patagonian Giants Giants discovered in Argentina 1779: Graham's Celestial Bed Electrified bed blesses sleepers with progeny 1782: The Blue Laws of Connecticut Fake laws enforce puritan morality |
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