Top Hats! A Menace To Society!!!
July 9th 2008 10:30
James Heatherington, the inventor of the top hat, introduced his design to the world in London during 1797.
Upon leaving the shop wearing his unusual headwear he was surrounded by a crowd of onlookers where some pushing and shoving ensued, resulting in women fainting and a young boy having his arm broken.
As a result of this, Heatherington was arrested, summoned to appear in court, and fined £50 for going about in a manner "calculated to frighten timid people."
Within a month, he was of course overwhelmed with orders for the new design.
Class distinction being what it is, only the less informed still call it a top hat. The middle classes referred to as a 'silk hat'. A gentleman always asked for a 'topper'.
Upon leaving the shop wearing his unusual headwear he was surrounded by a crowd of onlookers where some pushing and shoving ensued, resulting in women fainting and a young boy having his arm broken.
As a result of this, Heatherington was arrested, summoned to appear in court, and fined £50 for going about in a manner "calculated to frighten timid people."
Within a month, he was of course overwhelmed with orders for the new design.
Class distinction being what it is, only the less informed still call it a top hat. The middle classes referred to as a 'silk hat'. A gentleman always asked for a 'topper'.
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