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In October 1932, a newspaper article landed on doorsteps across the United States.

Modern Crusoe and his wife seek happiness on lonely isle.

The piece told of how a doctor and his wife had traded life in Germany for a rocky outcrop,

600 miles off the coast of Ecuador.

The pair wanted to be self-sufficient to live directly off the land, close to nature and without the luxury of modern conveniences.

Here, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, they spent their days in philosophical

contemplation, that is, when they weren't tending to their foodstock or repairing their

weather-beaten shack. When the Ritters first went to the island, they carried with them

800 pounds of baggage. A freighter captain set them ashore with many misgivings.

The modern Crusoe and his wife were married, but not to each other.

Each had left a spouse behind in Germany.

Dora Strouch and Friedrich Ritter were starting afresh,

free of the fetters of civilization.

According to the article, the lovers planned to remain on their island.

Until death relieve them of their adventure.

I'm Tim Harford, and you're listening to Cautionary Tales.

Welcome. Spring 1927.

From her hospital bed in Berlin, Dora Strouch watched the doctor move from patient to patient.

There was something intriguing about him. He was small and extraordinarily lithe, and she was struck by his steely blue gaze. His forehead was ridged with furrows.

This man was a deep thinker.

Dora recognized a kindred spirit.

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