Robert Reidt
Robert Reidt (June 25, 1892 – March 1966) was a German-born American who is best known for promoting a prediction that the world would end on February 6, 1925.[1][2][3]
Reidt was a house painter living in Long Island, New York, and heard about Californian Margaret Rowen's claim that the day of judgment was coming on February 6, 1925. Calling himself the "Apostle of Doom",[4] he sold all his assets to spread word of the coming event. After nothing happened at the appointed hour outside his small rented abode in East Patchogue, he later blamed photo flashbulbs for obscuring a supposedly visible sign in the skies.[5][6] He then suggested the end was coming in the following week.[1][7][8] The events received regular front-page coverage in The New York Times and nationwide news coverage.[1][9][10]
In February 1926, Reidt made a new prediction that a fireball would soon strike New York City. This event also failed to occur.[1][11]
He made yet another unsuccessful prediction of doom in 1932.[12][13]
The last contemporary press coverage that Reidt received was in 1938, in connection with a planetarium trying to publicize a show about end of the world predictions.[2] Reidt died at age 73 in March 1966 in Florida.[14]
Legacy
[edit]In May 2011, Reidt's predictions received new coverage when they were reviewed by Andy Newman of The New York Times in connection with Harold Camping's prediction that Judgment Day would fall on May 21, 2011.[1][15]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e (19 May 2011). Doomsday, East Patchogue, 1925, The New York Times
- ^ a b Associated Press (18 August 1938). Prophets of Doom to See World's End, The Evening Independent
- ^ (5 February 1925). Await World's End Tomorrow Night, The New York Times
- ^ (5 February 1925). Reidt and his group wait in prayer for world's end, North Tonawanda Evening News
- ^ (30 April 2010). AT&T channels -- the devil? -- in explaining why net neutrality debate is over the top, The Washington Post
- ^ Associated Press (7 February 1925). End of World Prophets Have Missed Again, Warsaw Union
- ^ (22 May 1925) Prophet of Doom to explain, The New York Times
- ^ Associated Press ('Doom Apostle' Says World Will End in Seven Days, Reading Eagle
- ^ Krebs, Roland (5 February 1925). Gather on Hill for Cloud Ride, Rochester Journal and Post Express
- ^ Berger, Meyer. The eight million: journal of a New York correspondent, p.19-20 (1942) (discussing spread of story)
- ^ (14 February 1926). Reidt wrong again on doom forecast, The New York Times
- ^ Ashe, Geoffrey. Encyclopedia of prophecy, p. 80 (2001) (ISBN 978-1576070796)
- ^ Brisbane, Arthur (1 September 1932). Today, Vancouver Sun
- ^ U.S. Social Security Death Index records
- ^ Avlon, John (21 May 2011). A Reality Check for the Doomsday Unhinged, The Daily Beast