Podcast Summary: Hoax! Episode 1 – Cottingley Fairies

Hosts: Dana Schwartz and Lizzie Logan
Release Date: August 4, 2025

Introduction

In the premiere episode of Hoax! co-hosted by Dana Schwartz and Lizzie Logan, the duo delves into one of history’s most fascinating hoaxes: the Cottingley Fairies. They set the stage by exploring why people are susceptible to believing in things that aren't true, especially in an era rife with misinformation.

Dana Schwartz [00:24]: "Every episode we sort through the lies we wish were true and truths that sound like lies."

The Cottingley Fairies Hoax Background

The episode begins with the backstory of the Cottingley Fairies, a series of photographs taken in 1917 by Elsie Wright (16) and Frances Griffiths (9), two cousins residing in Cottingley, near Bradford, England. The girls claimed to have encountered fairies by a beck (a small stream), leading them to stage photographic evidence to prove their sightings.

Lizzie Logan [02:47]: "It's the era of spirit photography, and people did not particularly know what a photograph was, like, supposed to look like."

The Girls' Photographs

Using Elsie’s father's midge camera, the girls took their first photographs, depicting Frances interacting with fairies. Despite initial skepticism from their parents, the girls persisted, producing additional photos that further convinced some of their authenticity.

Dana Schwartz [07:00]: "They take this photo and they go back to the grownups and they're like, see, we did see fairies."

Arthur Conan Doyle's Involvement

Fascinated by the photographs, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes and a prominent spiritualist, took a keen interest. He collaborated with Edward Gardner and photography expert Harold Snelling to validate the authenticity of the images. Their analysis concluded that the photos were genuine, as no evidence of manipulation was found.

Dana Schwartz [12:17]: "The fact that two young girls had not only been able to see fairies... but had actually... [materialize them] meant that it was possible that the next cycle of evolution was underway."

Skeptical Views and Criticism

Despite Doyle’s endorsements, skepticism persisted. Critics argued that the girls lacked the technical expertise to replicate such complex photographs, and some suggested that the fairies were elaborate cutouts or drawings superimposed onto the images. A notable critique came from Major John Hall Edwards, who highlighted the potential psychological impact on children believing in such phenomena.

Dana Schwartz [24:30]: "People think of hoaxes as kind of like mean tricks. But this hoax only ever was an act of kindness."

Legacy and Final Confessions

Over the decades, the Cottingley Fairies became a subject of intrigue and debate. It wasn't until the 1980s that Jeffrey Crawley, editor of the British Journal of Photography, conducted a thorough investigation. Crawley's research methodically exposed the hoax, demonstrating how the girls manipulated photographic techniques to create the illusion of fairies. Despite Crawley’s findings, Frances Griffiths maintained her belief in the fairies until her death in 1986, while Elsie admitted to the deception shortly thereafter.

Lizzie Logan [49:12]: "Dear Mr. Crawley... Feeling rather silly, we let our joke lie flat on its face..."

Conclusion and Takeaways

Dana and Lizzie conclude the episode by reflecting on the nature of hoaxes and belief. They emphasize that the Cottingley Fairies hoax wasn’t driven by financial gain but by the girls' desire to be believed and to protect each other from parental reprimand. The episode serves as a poignant reminder of how societal perceptions, personal relationships, and cultural contexts can influence the acceptance or rejection of extraordinary claims.

Dana Schwartz [56:19]: "The reason that this hoax has lasted so long is... because the guy who wrote Sherlock Holmes believed this."

Notable Quotes

• Dana Schwartz [07:00]: "They take this photo and they go back to the grownups and they're like, see, we did see fairies."
• Joe Crawley [58:07]: "Of course there are fairies, just as there is Father Christmas. The trouble comes when you try to make them corporeal."
• Elsie Hill [48:34]: "Thank you for revealing so much depth and understanding of the pickle Frances and I got ourselves into..."

Further Resources

For those intrigued by the Cottingley Fairies, the original prints and memorabilia are housed at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford. Visitors can view the cameras used by the girls, the original photographs, and accompanying letters detailing their experiences.

Hoax! continues to explore audacious hoaxes throughout history, uncovering the human psychology behind why we believe what we believe. Stay tuned for more episodes as Dana Schwartz and Lizzie Logan unravel the truths and lies that shape our perception of reality.