HOW BOUNTIFUL BEARDS BECAME VICTORIAN AIR PURIFIERS Step aside, antibiotics! In the smog-choked streets of 1850s London, where chimney smoke clung to every surface and a “fog” could linger for months, doctors championed a fuzzy solution. The prescription? Grow a beard. Not just any beard, but big, bushy, chest-brushing beards that could rival a lion’s mane. Their advice made it seem like thick, woolly beards were a frontline defense against disease. As London’s population surged past the one million mark in the mid-1800s, so did its coal consumption. Residents warmed their homes and powered the city with coal, releasing dense plumes of smoke that clung to the damp air. These weren’t your average winter mists. In 1873, one thick smog event blanketed the city, contributing to hundreds of bronchitis-related deaths. Another hung around for four months in 1879, plunging London into darkness. Victorian physicians, caught between outdated theories and the dawn of germ science, believed thick beards could filter the noxious air swirling through the city. With coal smoke saturating the sky and mysterious illnesses lurking in every cough, they saw the beard as a barrier and a natural air purifier, trapping invisible enemies before they reached the throat or lungs. Public speakers were even told their beards would soothe strained vocal cords! Men were reassured that their whiskers could keep sore throats at bay. But here’s the ironic twist in this follicular fairy tale. Modern research paints a less noble picture of the beard. According to dermatologists and ecologists, those bodacious beards trap bacteria, food particles, and even play host to tiny squatters (aka ectoparasites). What the Victorians hailed as a filter functioned more like a germ motel!
Smog, Soot, and Stubble
So, while the beard boom of the 1800s was well-intentioned, it might be best remembered as a moment when style, “science,” and smog collided and the beard won (if only temporarily).
Fall Events You Can’t Miss! Carve Out Some Fun
Craft Fairs We have talented artisans in our community, and during fall craft fairs, they’ll take to the streets to show off their work. Throughout the months of September and October, there are fall craft fairs and festivals taking place nearly every weekend. The Big Four Arts Festival, NuLu Fest, St. James Court Art Show, and the 39th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival at Whitefield Academy are all worth a visit. The Kentucky Bourbon Festival and Bourbon & Beyond are also taking place this month, which are always a treat! Classic Fall Activities You don’t have to attend a special event to get the most out of fall. You can participate in any activity that reminds you of the season, like hosting a campfire with your friends and family, experiencing an exciting college football game, or taking a hike through the wilderness. When you find ways to connect with the season, you get more enjoyment from it!
After a long, hot summer, there’s nothing better than stepping out into the crisp, refreshing fall air to participate in your favorite fall activities. Whether you enjoy hiking through the trees as the leaves change to various shades of red, yellow, and orange, or you’re excited over the return of pumpkin spice- flavored items, now is the perfect time to celebrate fall and everything that comes with it. If you’re looking for something special to do to welcome in the season or keep the family entertained on a free weekend, we have three ideas you’ll love! The Jack O’Lantern Spectacular As the weather continues to cool down and days become shorter, many of us will start looking for Halloween-inspired activities to enjoy. The Jack O’Lantern Spectacular at Iroquois Park is an excellent family-friendly option that you’ll want to experience year after year. You’ll love viewing the 5,000 carved pumpkins lining the walking path and hiding among the trees as you experience themed scenes set to music. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience. While the event technically doesn’t start until October, you can get your tickets as early as Sept. 1.
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