The year 1816 is known as the year without summer, because the low temperatures and high rain falls.

Scientists think it was a volcanic winter caused by the eruption of Mount Tambora in April. In addition to the fact that in the previous 3 years, 4 other large volcanic eruptions occurred which caused lots of atmospheric dust allowing less sunlight to come through the stratosphere.

It caused a major food shortage due to crop failures. Due to an oat shortage, Karl Drais invented horseless transportation devices like the draisine and the velocipede, precursors to the bicycle. There were amazing sunsets. Paintings during this time had a yellow tinge.

And Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein. Shelley along with some friends on Lake Geneva during their Swiss holiday decided to have a scary story contest. Lord Byron wrote “The Fragment” which was used as inspiration for a prequel to Dracula.