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{{Short description|1954 American mass delusion event}}
⚫ The '''Seattle Windshield Pitting Epidemic''' is a phenomenon which affected ], ], and other communities of ] in April, 1954; it is considered an example of a ].<ref>{{Citation
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
⚫ The '''Seattle windshield pitting epidemic''' is a phenomenon which affected ], ], and other communities of ] in April 1954; it is considered an example of ].<ref>{{cite journal
| title = Mass Delusions and Hysterias: Highlights from the Past Millennium | title = Mass Delusions and Hysterias: Highlights from the Past Millennium
| url = http://www.csicop.org/si/show/mass_delusions_and_hysterias_highlights_from_the_past_millennium/ | url = http://www.csicop.org/si/show/mass_delusions_and_hysterias_highlights_from_the_past_millennium/
| journal = Skeptical Inquirer magazine | journal = Skeptical Inquirer
| author = Robert Bartholomew and Erich Goode | author = ] and Erich Goode
| date = May 2000
}}</ref> It was characterized by widespread observation of previously unnoticed ] holes, pits and dings, leading residents to believe that a common causative agent was at work. It was originally thought to be the work of vandals but the rate of pitting was so great that residents began to attribute it to everything from ] eggs to nuclear bomb testing. }}</ref> It was characterized by widespread observation of previously unnoticed ] holes, pits and dings, leading residents to believe that a common causative agent was at work. It was originally thought to be the work of vandals, but the rate of pitting was so great that residents began to attribute it to everything from ] eggs to ] testing.


Originating in Bellingham in March, police initially believed the work to be vandals using ]s. However the pitting was soon observed in the nearby towns of ] and ] and by mid-April, appeared to have spread to the town of ] on ]. Originating in Bellingham in March, police initially believed the work to be vandals using ]s. However the pitting was soon observed in the nearby cities of ] and ] and ].


Within a week, the news and the so-called "pitting epidemic" had reached metropolitan Seattle. As the newspapers began to feature the story, more and more reports of pitting were called in. Motorists began stopping police cars to report damage and car lots and parking garages reported particularly severe attacks. Within a week, the news and the so-called "pitting epidemic" had reached metropolitan Seattle. As the newspapers began to feature the story, more and more reports of pitting were called in. Motorists began stopping police cars to report damage. Car lots and parking garages reported particularly severe attacks.


Several theories for the widespread damage were postulated: Several hypotheses for the widespread damage were postulated:


* Some thought that ] installed by the ] was producing waves that caused physical oscillations in glass; * Some thought that a new million-watt radio transmitter at nearby ] was producing waves that caused physical oscillations in glass;
* Some believed it to be the work of ]; * Some believed it to be the work of ]s;
* Some reporting seeing glass bubble form right before their eyes, believing it to be the work of sand fleas; * Some reported seeing glass bubbles form right before their eyes, believing it to be the work of sand fleas.
* Some attributed it to a shift in the Earth's magnetic field;
* Others blamed supernatural phenomena such as "gremlins."{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}}


By April 15, close to 3,000 windshields had been reported as affected, which prompted mayor ] to ask for help from Washington Governor ] and President ].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Reports Of Damage To Car Glass Taper Off |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=April 16, 1954}}</ref>
By April 15, close to 3,000 windshields had been reported as affected.


Finally, Sergeant Max Allison of the Seattle police crime laboratory stated that the pitting reports consisted of "5 per cent hoodlum-ism, and 95 per cent public hysteria." By April 17, the pitting suddenly stopped.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stein |first1=Alan J. |title=Windshield pitting incidents in Washington reach fever pitch on April 15, 1954 |url=https://www.historylink.org/File/5136 |work=] |access-date=February 1, 2024}}</ref> The following week, hundreds of windshield pitting incidents were also reported in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 19, 1954 |title=Hundreds See Windshields Pitted |page=1 |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-vancouver-sun-hundreds-see-windshiel/137315221/ |via=] |access-date=December 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=April 20, 1954 |title=Pock-Marked Windshields Baffle Canadian Scientists |page=1 |work=] |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bellingham-herald-pock-marked-windsh/137315241/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=December 23, 2023}}</ref>
Finally, Sergeant Max Allison of the Seattle police crime laboratory stated that the pitting reports consisted of "5 per cent hoodlum-ism, and 95 per cent public hysteria." By April 17, the pitting suddenly stopped.


The "Seattle Windshield Pitting Epidemic" as it is called has become a textbook case of ] (not "mass hysteria" as reported).<ref name=Medalia1961>{{citation The "Seattle Windshield Pitting Epidemic" as it is called has become a textbook case of collective ] (not "mass hysteria" as reported).<ref name=Medalia1961>{{cite journal
| last1 = Medalia | first1 = N.Z. | last1 = Medalia | first1 = N.Z.
| last2 = Larsen | first2 = O.N. | last2 = Larsen | first2 = O.N.
| title = Diffusion and Belief in a Collective Delusion: The Seattle Windshield Pitting Epidemic | title = Diffusion and Belief in a Collective Delusion: The Seattle Windshield Pitting Epidemic
| year = 1961 | year = 1961
| journal = Studies in Behavior Pathology: the Experimental Approach to the Psychology of the Abnormal | journal = Studies in Behavior Pathology: The Experimental Approach to the Psychology of the Abnormal
| volume = 23 | volume = 23
}}</ref> Although natural windshield pitting had been going on for some time, it was only when the media called public attention to it that people actually looked at their windshields and saw damage they had never noticed before. }}</ref> Although natural windshield pitting had been going on for some time, it was only when the media called public attention to it that people actually looked at their windshields and saw damage they had never noticed before.
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==External links== ==External links==
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* *'']'' coverage of the
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Latest revision as of 13:23, 20 December 2024

1954 American mass delusion event

The Seattle windshield pitting epidemic is a phenomenon which affected Bellingham, Seattle, and other communities of Washington state in April 1954; it is considered an example of mass panic. It was characterized by widespread observation of previously unnoticed windshield holes, pits and dings, leading residents to believe that a common causative agent was at work. It was originally thought to be the work of vandals, but the rate of pitting was so great that residents began to attribute it to everything from sand flea eggs to nuclear bomb testing.

Originating in Bellingham in March, police initially believed the work to be vandals using BB guns. However the pitting was soon observed in the nearby cities of Sedro Woolley and Mount Vernon and Anacortes.

Within a week, the news and the so-called "pitting epidemic" had reached metropolitan Seattle. As the newspapers began to feature the story, more and more reports of pitting were called in. Motorists began stopping police cars to report damage. Car lots and parking garages reported particularly severe attacks.

Several hypotheses for the widespread damage were postulated:

  • Some thought that a new million-watt radio transmitter at nearby Jim Creek Naval Radio Station was producing waves that caused physical oscillations in glass;
  • Some believed it to be the work of cosmic rays;
  • Some reported seeing glass bubbles form right before their eyes, believing it to be the work of sand fleas.

By April 15, close to 3,000 windshields had been reported as affected, which prompted mayor Allan Pomeroy to ask for help from Washington Governor Arthur B. Langlie and President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Finally, Sergeant Max Allison of the Seattle police crime laboratory stated that the pitting reports consisted of "5 per cent hoodlum-ism, and 95 per cent public hysteria." By April 17, the pitting suddenly stopped. The following week, hundreds of windshield pitting incidents were also reported in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.

The "Seattle Windshield Pitting Epidemic" as it is called has become a textbook case of collective delusion (not "mass hysteria" as reported). Although natural windshield pitting had been going on for some time, it was only when the media called public attention to it that people actually looked at their windshields and saw damage they had never noticed before.

References

  1. Robert Bartholomew and Erich Goode (May 2000). "Mass Delusions and Hysterias: Highlights from the Past Millennium". Skeptical Inquirer.
  2. "Reports Of Damage To Car Glass Taper Off". The Seattle Times. April 16, 1954.
  3. Stein, Alan J. "Windshield pitting incidents in Washington reach fever pitch on April 15, 1954". HistoryLink. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  4. "Hundreds See Windshields Pitted". Vancouver Sun. April 19, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved December 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Pock-Marked Windshields Baffle Canadian Scientists". The Bellingham Herald. Associated Press. April 20, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved December 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Medalia, N.Z.; Larsen, O.N. (1961). "Diffusion and Belief in a Collective Delusion: The Seattle Windshield Pitting Epidemic". Studies in Behavior Pathology: The Experimental Approach to the Psychology of the Abnormal. 23.

External links

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