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1439
Gutenberg Printing Press
The Gutenberg Printing Press is invented, which allows paper to be printed and distributed quicker. -
16th & 17th centuries
The invention of the printing press led to mass distribution and sales of printed materials, regardless of their source. Gossip disguised as "news" became the norm by the 1780s, and opinion columns pushed content designed to manipulate public opinion. -
Moon Hoax
The New York Sun ran reports of animal-like creatures inhabiting
the moon in the "Great Moon Hoax." Circulation went from 8,000 to 19,000 copies, making it the world's best-selling daily newspaper at the time. Unbeknownst to the public, the hoax was a commercial strategy -
Zoo Hoax
The New York Herald published an article claiming that many animals had escaped from the Central Park Zoo. There was widespread public panic, but people later found out that the
story was a hoax. -
War of the Worlds
Orson Welles' War of the Worlds was broadcast on the radio, and because news radio was brand-new at the time, many listeners believed the story. Allegedly, public panic erupted from people who believed an alien invasion was happening. While this rampant fear is documented in American history, it still remains unclear if this public panic truly occurred. -
Dewey defeats Truman
Chicago Daily Tribune prints incorrect headline of who won presidential election. -
#Pizzagate
Rumors falsely accused Hillary Clinton of being at the center of a
child trafficking ring.
