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The Howling Terror Mystery
In 1900 a megaphone hurled a human voice over the South Downs, terrifying locals. Alan Dein tells the strange story. From 2005.
In July 1900, at a scenic spot near Brighton known as Devil's Dyke, an enormous megaphone sent a human voice hurtling across the South Downs.
In an era before electronic amplification or radio, this new invention fascinated and terrified local people.
Its ability to project sound over miles and miles verged on the mythical. The newspapers labelled it "The Howling Terror" and prophesied that its diabolical broadcasts would dominate the forthcoming 20th century.
And yet today the Howling Terror is forgotten.
Alan Dein resurrects its strange story.
Producer: Matthew Dodd
First broadcast on ±«Óãtv Radio 4 in August 2005.
Last on
Tue 5 Jul 2022
02:30
±«Óãtv Radio 4 Extra
Broadcasts
- Thu 23 Sep 2010 14:30±«Óãtv Radio 7
- Sat 23 Feb 2013 07:30±«Óãtv Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 12 Jan 2018 06:30±«Óãtv Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 12 Jan 2018 13:30±«Óãtv Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 12 Jan 2018 20:30±«Óãtv Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 13 Jan 2018 01:30±«Óãtv Radio 4 Extra
- Mon 4 Jul 2022 14:30±«Óãtv Radio 4 Extra
- Tue 5 Jul 2022 02:30±«Óãtv Radio 4 Extra