Halloween has a long history that dates back to the ancient Celts and their festival of Samhain. Samhain, celebrated on the night of October 31 to November 1, marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The Celts believe that on this night, the boundary between the world of the living and the dead is particularly permeable, allowing spirits to enter the human realm. To ward off evil spirits, people light fires and wear masks and costumes—a tradition that continues to thrive in Halloween customs today.
With the spread of Christianity in Europe, the Church tries to integrate pagan customs into its own festivals. In the 9th century, November 1 is established as the feast of All Saints (All Hallows' Day), followed by All Souls' Day on November 2 to honor the dead. The night before, October 31, becomes All Hallows' Eve—later known as Halloween. On this night, people continue to remember the deceased, and dressing up and lighting candles remains an essential part.
Image: Holger Motzkau 2010, Wikimedia Commons
In the 19th century, Irish and Scottish immigrants bring their Halloween traditions to North America. There, Halloween increasingly develops into a family-friendly occasion, with a particular focus on children. Trick-or-treating, now common in the USA and other countries, emerges as a blend of ancient customs like "mumming" and "souling." In mumming, a widespread British tradition, people dressed up and went door to door performing songs or poems. In souling, children received treats or small cakes as thanks for prayers for the souls of the deceased.
Today, Halloween is not only a folk festival but also a massive commercial event. Especially in the USA, Halloween becomes an important economic factor. According to reports from the National Retail Federation, Americans spend about $10 billion annually on Halloween; for 2024, expenditures are expected to exceed $11 billion. This amount includes spending on costumes, decorations, parties, and especially candy. The festival has also reached international audiences, including Switzerland. Candy sales peak in October, making Halloween one of the most profitable seasons for the candy industry. Costumes and decorations are also lucrative markets, and the Halloween value chain extends across various industries like retail, hospitality, and even tourism.
Bahngesellschaft Zürich-Uetliberg AG, Share from 1924, Source: Stiftung Sammlung historischer Wertpapiere
The ruins of Manegg on Uetliberg were once the proud castle of the noble family Manesse. A dark legend surrounds one of the lords of Manesse, who seduces a beautiful peasant girl with the promise of eternal love. At the "Three Beeches," a place near the castle, he exploits her and then leaves her dishonored. When the desperate girl follows him, he chases her away with dogs. Abandoned and dishonored, she takes her own life at this spot. On stormy nights, it is said that one can still see her tormented spirit near the ruins on Uetliberg. In line with this, the Aktien-Gesellschaft für die Uetliberg-Bahn (Uetliberg Railway Company) is founded in 1875, connecting Zurich with this popular excursion destination.
Winchester Repeating Arms Company, Share from 1929, Source: Stiftung Sammlung historischer Wertpapiere
The Winchester Mystery House in California is a labyrinth of rooms and stairs that Sarah Winchester, the widow of firearms magnate William Wirt Winchester, had built over decades. After the death of her husband and daughter, Sarah believes she is haunted by the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles. To appease these spirits, she has the house endlessly expanded, without a blueprint, with doors leading to nowhere and stairs that end in ceilings. Today, the house is a tourist attraction that generates millions in revenue each year and is considered one of the most famous "haunted houses" in the USA.
Gesellschaft zur chemischen und technischen Verwertung von Blut und Eiweissstoffen, Share from 1921, Source: Stiftung Sammlung historischer Wertpapiere
Even though the "Society for the Chemical and Technical Utilization of Blood and Protein Substances" is actually a wonderful early example of utilizing slaughter by-products and the trend toward sustainable resource use in industry, the name of the company evokes dark thoughts fitting for Halloween. Imagine how animal blood and proteins, which arise during slaughter, are processed in eerily designed factories into glues, fertilizers, and pharmaceutical products. Unsettling scenes must have unfolded there—factories boiling blood in steaming cauldrons day and night, while machines grind incessantly. The sharp smell of blood and burnt protein hangs in the air as workers carry out their tasks in the shadows of this macabre enterprise.