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Making beaver hats, 1841
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Making beaver hats, 1841
Making beaver hats, 1841. Although called beaver hats, a certain amount beaver fur was only used in the most expensive examples. In most others, rabbit fur was used. The body of the hats was felted in a kettle. The felted material was then placed on a wooden block and formed into a hat and the nap of the material was then raised by brushing. Mercury was used in the kettle and the hatters inhaled vapourised mercury in the steam. As a result many of them suffered from the uncontrollable shaking typical of mercury poisoning which attacked the central nervous system. The Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland exhibited these symptoms. From The Penny Magazine, London, 1841
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Media ID 14866090
© Oxford Science Archive / Heritage-Images
Beaver Hat Disease Hatmaker Hatter Industrial Disease Kettle Manufacturing Mercury Occupational Disease Oxford Science Archive Wood Engraving
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The print captures a scene from 1841, showcasing the intricate process of making beaver hats. In this era, despite their name, beaver fur was only used in the most luxurious examples of these fashionable accessories. Rabbit fur was more commonly employed for crafting these stylish headpieces. The image reveals skilled workers diligently engaged in their craft. The first step involved felting the hat's body inside a large kettle. Once felted, the material was carefully placed on wooden blocks to shape it into a hat form. To achieve a smooth and refined finish, the nap of the material was raised through meticulous brushing. However, this seemingly elegant trade had its dark side. The use of mercury in the kettle emitted vapors that were unknowingly inhaled by hatters during their work process. Tragically, many suffered from mercury poisoning as a result, experiencing uncontrollable shaking and other symptoms that attacked their central nervous systems. Interestingly enough, Lewis Carroll's iconic character -the Mad Hatter- exhibited similar symptoms due to his fictional occupation as depicted in Alice in Wonderland. This snapshot offers us a glimpse into an industry plagued by occupational disease during Britain's industrial revolution. It serves as a reminder of both the artistry and hazards associated with traditional craftsmanship while shedding light on historical practices that have since been improved for worker safety and well-being.
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