The Cottingley Fairies

The Cottingley Fairies refer to a series of famous photographs taken by two young girls, Frances Griffiths and Elsie Wright, in 1917 near Cottingley, England. The images appeared to show fairies dancing and interacting with the girls, captivating the public and sparking debates about the possibility of supernatural beings. Although initially believed to be genuine, the photographers later revealed the fairies were created using paper cutouts and photography tricks. Today, the Cottingley Fairies are seen as a notable example of early 20th-century photographic hoaxes that also reflect the era's fascination with spirituality and the desire to believe in the fantastical.