I don't know how many of you know about the first "telling" of this tale, but it was over the radio, and it caused quite a panic at the time.
😱
Orson Welles was director of the Mercury Theatre on the Air, and they did a broadcast of a play based on the book. They prefaced the airing with the disclaimer that it was an reenactment, but many didn't hear that part.
Here is the
Wiki link detailing the 'excitement'.
And, to answer your question, no, I was not there, having been born a full year later.
😛