Skip to content

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.” quote by Martin Amis
Download Open image
““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.””

Martin Amis

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.

Key Takeaway

Even well‑intended innovations can fail dramatically.

Themes

history technology irony

Mood

reflective somber

Type

historical cautionary

When to use this quote

  • museum curation
  • historical research
  • risk assessment

Key Concepts

industrialization human error mortality

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does this story reveal about technological hubris?
  • How do we prevent similar failures today?
A Different Perspective

The anecdote may be apocryphal or lack broader relevance.

4.9 out of 5 (3 ratings)

More by Martin Amis

Explore all 393 Martin Amis quotes

More Crematorium quotes

Browse all 3 Crematorium quotes