When I was young, history classes were usually focused on presenting the past as a collection of important events–battles, conquests, treaties, discoveries, and inventions. While it was all interesting, I’ve always felt something was missing. What did the everyday life of sailors look like? How did people deal with ailments before anesthesia? What would women do during their periods? Were children having as much fun as they do today? What were the burial practices of our ancestors?
This thirst for knowledge has never ceased and I became an adult engrossed in books, documentaries, and other media which showed me the less glorious, but much more intriguing historical facts. I was especially fascinated with Victorian-era history–its perfect blend of scientific progress, bizarre practices, and questionable individuals.
Of course, I wanted to share all this knowledge with others, but it quickly turned out that not everyone is up to discussing bloodletting methods and vintage underwear during the office lunch break. And that is why I’ve created Veinity Fair, webcomics with unusual trivia and a dash of a dark sense of humor, fueled by morbid curiosity!
If you want to learn more about the stories presented in the funny comics or resources, check out the Veinity Fair social media and website!
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#1 John Snow
John Snow was an English physician, best known for finding the source of a cholera outbreak in Soho, 1854. By putting all known cholera cases on a map, he found the source of all troubles – a contaminated water pump. Why was it such a big deal? This discovery not only led to shutting down the pump, but also worked in favor of the budding germ theory of disease. Even though Snow himself didn’t know that at the time, he contributed to the birth of epidemiology.
#2 Crinoline
Crinolines were hugely popular in the second half of the 19th century, since their fairly light construction allowed women to play with fashion and big dress shapes without the need to carry the weight of several petticoats (as it was done earlier). This vast popularity of crinolines among women of all classes led to coining the word ‘crinolinemania’ and numerous caricatures in the media.
And while there were some hazards connected with wearing crinolines, especially in factories or near an open fire, they were definitely great at providing some personal space.
#3 Mercury & Mad Hatter
Erethism, more commonly known as mad hatter disease, is caused by mercury poisoning and can cause a variety of symptoms including tremors, timidness, anxiety, and even hallucinations. It was quite common among hat-makers as they were exposed to mercury used in the manufacturing of felt hats.
Even though the Hatter from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland doesn’t display all of these symptoms, his creation might have been inspired by erethism. We know that Lewis Carroll’s uncle, Robert Wilfred Skeffington Lutwidge, was a Lunacy Commissioner supervising Pauper Lunatic Asylums. To keep patients busy, these asylums often organized group activities such as…tea parties.
#4 Add Some Wax
The Edwardian Era brought a new craze in plastic surgery – paraffin wax injections. The promise of a perfect nose or chin quickly faded, when it turned out that wax could wander beneath the skin causing infections, blood clots, and even cancer.
#5 Stethoscope
The invention of the stethoscope was inspired by a rather embarrassing moment in a young French doctor’s life.
#6 Bell
Safety coffins designs were mostly created during the 18th and 19th centuries, when the fear of being buried alive was quite common, due to numerous epidemics and popular fiction.
#7 Trains!
At the turn of the twentieth century, a new form of dangerous and very costly entertainment appeared… staged train crashes. Thousands of Americans would appear at these events, watching the crashes and collecting “souvenirs” from the wrecks.
This craze lasted for almost 40 years!
#8 Belladonna Drops
#9 Phossy Jaw
The harrowing conditions in match factories, including the use of highly poisonous white phosphorus, were not a secret in the Victorian times. However, It was not until the matchgirls’ strike of 1888 that the situation started to get better.
#10 Leeches!
Bloodletting used to be one of the most popular medical practices, as it was supposed to bring the balance between the four humors inside the human body and thus treat all ailments, from rashes to tuberculosis.
#11 Plague Doctor’s Advice
Usually Veinity Fair is all about the Victorians, but I just couldn’t resist sharing with you some more medieval advice…
#12 Get Whale Soon
#13 Garrotting
Garrotting panics and hysterias appeared in a few major cities in the mid-19th century. A few creative merchants quickly saw profitable opportunities in the public’s fear…
#14 Ether Frolic
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