It’s the turn of the 20th century, and a number of astronomers are convinced they’ve uncovered proof of life on Mars. Among them is Percival Lowell, who believed Mars was home to an ancient people. There’s also Camille Flammarion, a public intellectual who believed we could communicate with extraterrestrials by flashing signs from earth. Tons of characters abound, including Nikola Tesla. The press got caught up in the mania too, with a 1906 New York Times headline proclaiming, “There is life on the planet Mars.” If any of that reminds you of our present-day fascination — say, Elon Musk’s quest to colonize Mars — then you’re in for a treat.
GUEST –
David Baron | Author, journalist, and public speaker. His book is called “The Martians: The True Story of an Alien Craze that Captured Turn-of-the-Century America.” [Amazon|Bookshop]
Weds., Nov. 5, 2025 at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.