On this day: May 18
Man’s Attempt to Heat Pet Snake in Microwave Destroys House
On May 18, 2008, a man in the United States accidentally set his home on fire after attempting to warm a pet snake in a microwave; the blaze destroyed the residence and prompted an investigation into the circumstances and safety of heating animals by appliance.
First Automated Traffic Control System Tested in 1926
On May 18, 1926, engineers in Detroit tested an early automated traffic control system combining timed signals and electric switching to regulate vehicle flow — a precursor to modern traffic lights and computerized traffic management.
1947 Report Identifies First Known Deaths Linked to Counterfeit Medicine
On May 18, 1947, authorities reported what has been described as the first documented fatalities attributed to counterfeit medicines, prompting early calls for stronger regulation and oversight of pharmaceutical supplies.
May 18, 1938: A documented mass hoax sparks nationwide panic
On May 18, 1938, false reports and staged incidents about an imminent catastrophe spread rapidly across communities, provoking widespread fear and prompting authorities to confront the social and communicative conditions that allowed a mass hoax to escalate into mass panic.
Mount St. Helens Eruption of 1980 Kills 57 People
On May 18, 1980, Washington’s Mount St. Helens produced a catastrophic explosive eruption and northward-directed blast that destroyed forests, deposited ash across multiple states, and resulted in 57 confirmed deaths and widespread economic and environmental damage.