Buried Alive: You Need A Safety Coffin.

Safety coffins, also known as security coffins, were designed to prevent premature burial. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the fear of being buried alive led to the creation of these coffins. Various inventions were patented to allow individuals who were mistakenly buried to signal that they were still alive. Here is an overview of the history and types of safety coffins:

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Historical Context

• 17th-19th Century Fear: The fear of being buried alive, known as taphophobia, became widespread in the 17th to 19th centuries. Medical science was not as advanced, and instances of premature burial occurred, leading to public anxiety.

• Literary Influence: Literature of the time, including Edgar Allan Poe's works, played a role in amplifying this fear. Stories and rumors about people being buried alive became common.

Types of Safety Coffins

1. Signal Devices: Air Supply Systems:
   

• Bells and Whistles: The most common type of safety coffin included a system of bells, whistles, or other noise-making devices attached to a string. The buried person could pull the string to alert people above ground.

• Flags: Some coffins had flags that could be raised by the buried person pulling on a string, serving as a visual signal.

1. Observation Windows: Communication Systems:

• Glass Panels: Some coffins featured a glass panel or window at the head end of the coffin, allowing a caretaker to look inside and confirm whether the person was truly dead.

• Observation Tubes: Tubes fitted with mirrors or magnifying glasses allowed caretakers to observe the person inside the coffin without opening it.

Getting sober can feel like being Buried Alive. John Clark

Notable Inventions and Patents

• Franz Vester's Coffin (1868): Vester's design included a bell attached to a string that the buried person could pull to alert passersby.

• Friedrich Kuchenmeister's Coffin (1870s): Kuchenmeister's design incorporated a spring-loaded lid that could be opened from inside the coffin.

• C. J. Eisenbrandt's Coffin (1843): This coffin included a method for the interred person to open the coffin lid and climb out, using a series of levers and springs.

Decline in Use

With advancements in medical science and improved methods for confirming death, the use of safety coffins declined by the early 20th century. Modern embalming techniques and the development of more accurate diagnostic tools have largely alleviated the fear of premature burial.

An example of a safety coffin.

Conclusion

Safety coffins are a fascinating example of how fears can drive innovation. Although they are no longer in common use, they reflect the lengths to which people went to ensure their safety and peace of mind regarding one of life's most final and irreversible events.