In December 1958, the BBC produced a popular science fiction serial called Quatermass and the Pit. In December 1842, Edgar Allen Poe wrote a well known short story, a masterpiece of horror, called The Pit and the Pendulum.
A Tale of the 2012 Apocalypse
Eyeing the pendulum slowly swinging above him, Professor Quaterbolis shuddered. Side to side, swish – swish – swish … a steel blade, sharper than the finest Japanese sword, rhythmically catching the light of the dully glowing lantern that (...)