The United States has the Founding Fathers. Canada has the Fathers of Confederation. Unlike the Founding Fathers, whose new nation gained independence thanks to war, the Fathers of Confederation took a quieter, more methodical approach. Fathers of Confederation refers to 36 men who represented their colonies at one or more conferences that were held to […]
Victorian Poison Wallpaper: Death by Interior Design
We are slaves to fashion – both in our wardrooms and in our homes. This also was the case during the Victorian era. Homes in the Victorian era often were covered in wallpaper. The Victorians loved wallpaper so much they covered every wall with it and sometimes the ceiling. The wallpaper of choice was that […]
Boss Tweed: A Name Synonymous with Political Corruption
Corruption always has been a part of American politics. No one exemplifies this more than William “Boss” Tweed. Tweed was active in New York City politics in the mid-19th century. He was portrayed by Jim Broadbent in the 2002 film The Gangs of New York, and is best known for his role as head of […]
Josephine Cochran: History of the Dishwasher
Most of us rarely stop to think about the history of mundane things, such as our household items and appliances. The dishwasher didn’t become commonplace in homes until the latter part of the 20th century. However, the dishwasher has a history dating back more than 150 years. What’s more, unlike many objects in your home, […]
Ghosts and Things that Go Bump in the Night: Victorians and the Paranormal
Belief in the paranormal is not limited to modern times. It began long ago with our ancestors telling spooky stories for entertainment. The Victorians, especially, were practically obsessed with ghosts and things that go bump in the night. Spiritualism – the belief that the dead can interact with the living through a medium – was […]
Cholera: The Mere Mention of the Word Caused Fear
Cholera. The mere mention of the word was enough to cause fear in 19th century communities. The disease struck suddenly and killed quickly. Its cause wasn’t identified until the 1850s. Symptoms Cholera is caused by a bacteria and, like typhoid, is spread by food or water contaminated with feces. Basic sanitation and water purification can […]
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Treating Bone Fractures in the Early 20th Century
While a broken bone today can be a nuisance, in the early 20th century, it would be a serious, if not deadly, injury. People knew from ancient times to immobilize broken bones with a splint or a brace. Later, bone setters were used to move the bone into place before immobilization. The location of the […]
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Pneumonia: Leading Cause of Death in the Early 20th Century
In the days before antibiotics many people died from communicable diseases. One of these diseases was pneumonia. At the turn-of-the-20th–century it was the leading cause of death, and 40 percent of those who died were under the age of five. Adults, of course, were not immune. Women were susceptible to pneumonia because their tight corsets […]
Edwardian era Hettie's World History Journalism Lucretia's World Medicine Rose's World Victorian era Women's history
Victorian Insane Asylums: Treating Disease with Torture
Institutions to house the mentally ill began in the Middle Ages. The word “bedlam” is derived from the nearly 800-year-old Bethlem Royal Hospital, which is still in operation. In the 21st century, unfortunately, there is a stigma about mental illness. One hundred years ago, however, being mentally ill meant more than being judged and stereotyped. […]
Victorian Freak Shows: People Abnormal in the Eyes of Polite Society
Freak Show. Today the mere mention of the words makes us cringe. To the Victorians, however, a freak show was a great way to seek entertainment for an afternoon. Freak shows featured individuals who were considered abnormal in the eyes of polite society and included little people, the obese, people suffering from gigantism, the deformed, […]
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Women and Friendship Over Time: How Female Friendship Has Always Been Difficult
Today, women’s friendships are a big deal. There are websites dedicated to helping friends meet, books have been written on the subject, and blogs are filled with helpful how-tos. They all say women need friendships in their lives, but that it’s hard in our modern, busy society for people to meet. They also point out […]
Practical Yet Beautiful: Sewing Rooms in the Early 20th Century
Many traditional needlecrafts such as needlepoint, embroidery, knitting, sewing and crocheting are making a comeback. Today, these needlecrafts are pursued as hobbies, but a century ago women learned these skills as part of their education. This was especially true before the advent of mass-produced, ready-to-wear fashions. Even after clothing could be purchased in stores, these […]