Giant Grasshoppers

In the 1930s, photographer Frank D. “Pop” Conard created a series of fake images depicting an invasion of giant grasshoppers.

This was a challenging feat at the time, as people were less likely to suspect photo manipulation.

When Garden City, Kansas, was swarmed by grasshoppers in 1935, Conard superimposed images of the insects to make them appear enormous.

One photo showed a hunter holding a massive grasshopper, while another depicted people trying to catch one in a field.

These postcards became highly popular, earning Conard both money and recognition.

Many believed the giant grasshoppers were real.

Conard remarked, “They say pictures don’t lie, but from the sale of these postcards - the fastest selling novelty cards on the market - it seems that Kansas people like a little funny, untruth.”

He continued printing his “whopper hoppers” until his retirement at 63.