Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 @ 11:47:44 EDT by Banshee Back in the 1700's coffins were made with a pedal at the foot that was attached to a bell that remained above ground after the burial. This was due the amount of premature burials (buried alive).
If a person was a victim of a premature burial they simply tapped their foot on the pedal which would cause the bell to ring. Someone would then come rescue them.
