The ‘Surgeon’s Photograph’, as it came to be known - a supposed glimpse of Nessie papped from the lochside - was debated by Loch Ness Monster aficionados for decades after being published in a sensational front-page splash by the Daily Mail on 21st April, 1934.

Taken by London gynaecologist Dr Robert Kenneth Wilson, the photo was given particular credence because it had been submitted by a member of the medical establishment - but, many decades later, it was revealed as a revenge hoax, which actually portrayed a toy submarine purchased from Woolworth’s.

In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how a Billy Wilder prop similarly got monster-hunters’ hearts all a-flutter; investigate why the Loch Ness Monster was front-page news even in the year Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany; and reveal what Nessie had in common with Shirley Temple… 

Further Reading:

• ‘The Loch Ness monster, 1934 - a picture from the past’ (The Guardian, 2013): https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/picture/2013/oct/23/photography

• ‘The Surgeon’s Photo: A Thread’ (Darren Naish, 2020): https://twitter.com/tetzoo/status/1280597569131995139?s=12

• ‘Loch Ness Monster - The Surgeon's Photo’ (Naked Science): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGzHkFvDGFA

#30s #UK #Scotland #Science #Mystery

MORE? Can Arion, Rebecca and Olly finally disprove the existence of the Loch Ness Monster in just three-and-a-half minutes? They’re going to give it their very best shot in today's bonus podcast - sign up at Patreon.com/Retrospectors (top two tiers) or on Apple Podcasts.

We'll be back tomorrow! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts: podfollow.com/Retrospectors

The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.

Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders.

Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2022.

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