Crematorium Quote by Martin Amis
““After many ponderous experiments the first crematorium was opened in December 1920 in Petrograd. It could manage barely 120 bodies a month, and, in February 1921, cremated itself when the wooden roof caught fire.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Information, by Martin Amis, 1994
It recounts an early crematorium’s brief operation and ironic self‑destruction.
In simple terms: An early crematorium burned down soon after opening.
Even well‑intended innovations can fail dramatically.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- museum curation
- historical research
- risk assessment
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this story reveal about technological hubris?
- How do we prevent similar failures today?
The anecdote may be apocryphal or lack broader relevance.