The expression “mad as a hatter” is based on the real-life practices of hatters beginning in the 17th century. It turns out that the process they used to make their hats was poisoning them and driving them insane . It wasn’t until 1941 that hatters discovered what was causing them to behave so strangely.
What caused hat makers to go mad?
In the 18th and 19th centuries, industrial workers used a toxic substance, mercury nitrate , as part of the process of turning the fur of small animals, such as rabbits, into felt for hats. ... In the U.S., the use of mercury in the production of felt finally was banned in the early 1940s.
Why did hat makers go mad?
The chemicals used in hat-making included mercurous nitrate, used in curing felt. Prolonged exposure to the mercury vapors caused mercury poisoning
Why did hatters use mercury?
Mercury was used in hat making to toughen the fur’s fibers and make them mat together more efficiently . The compound used to moisten the fibers was Mercury Nitrate Hg(NO3)2, and the process is called carroting. It produced a superior-quality felt, which in turn, resulted in higher-quality hats.
Is there a cure for mad hatter disease?
Fortunately, hatters stopped using mercury in 1941. If you think you’ve been exposed to mercury, speak with a doctor immediately. Mercury poisoning is reversible with proper treatment. This includes oxygen, bronchodilators, fluids, and medicine to help your body excrete mercury.
Is Mad Hatter a villain?
The Mad Hatter comic book character made his debut in Batman #49 in 1948. He is the supervillain who keeps his Wonderland counterpart’s costume and personality, with a lot of his gadgets stored in his hat. In the world of Batman, he is a scientist who uses mind-controlling devices to manipulate his victims.
What are the symptoms of mad hatter disease?
Hatters or hat-makers commonly exhibited slurred speech, tremors, irritability, shyness, depression, and other neurological symptoms ; hence the expression “mad as a hatter.” The symptoms were associated with chronic occupational exposure to mercury.
What did Mad Hatter whisper to Alice?
There is a lot of emotion in the words “ Fairfarren,Alice ,” and she gives him a surprised look. In the original script, The Hatter kissed Alice twice: At the end of his dance, the Hatter grabs Alice and kisses her passionately. Before she leaves, He abruptly kisses her one last time and whispers “Fairfarren, Alice.”.
Why does the Mad Hatter have 10 6 on his hat?
Since 1986, October 6 is marked as the Mad Hatter Day — a famous character in Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. ... The 10/6 refers to the cost of a hat — 10 shillings and 6 pence, and later became the date and month to celebrate Mad Hatter Day.
What does the Mad Hatter represent in Alice in Wonderland?
Ralph Steadman wrote this about his version: “THE HATTER represents the unpleasant sides of human nature .
Can mercury make you go crazy?
Mercury is a metal that can turn to vapor at room temperatures. The lungs can easily absorb this vapor, and once mercury is in the body, it can pass through cell membranes and the blood-brain barrier. Mercury is also a neurotoxin, and it can cause neurological damage that leads to hallucinations and psychosis .
What does mercury do to the human body?
Health effects of mercury exposure
The inhalation of mercury vapour can produce harmful effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys , and may be fatal. The inorganic salts of mercury are corrosive to the skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract, and may induce kidney toxicity if ingested.
Why did the Mad Hatter go mad in Alice in Wonderland?
Mercury was used in the manufacturing of felt hats during the 19th century, causing a high rate of mercury poisoning among those working in the hat industry. Mercury poisoning causes neurological damage, including slurred speech, memory loss, and tremors, which led to the phrase “mad as a hatter”.
What is Mad Hatter’s real name?
Tarrant Hightopp , also known as the Mad Hatter, is a fictional character in the 2010 film Alice in Wonderland and its 2016 sequel Alice Through the Looking Glass, based upon the same character from Lewis Carroll’s Alice novels. He is portrayed by actor Johnny Depp. He serves as the films’ male protagonist.
What does Acrodynia mean?
Now a rare disease, acrodynia ( painful extremities ) primarily affects young children. The symptoms of irritability, photophobia, pink discoloration of the hands and feet, and polyneuritis can be attributed to chronic exposure to mercury.
How do you get high levels of mercury in your body?
Elevated mercury in blood usually indicates exposure to organic mercury (such as from eating fish containing methylmercury) or recent exposure to a high level of elemental mercury vapor . For most people, an elevated blood mercury level is associated with eating fish and other seafood containing organic mercury.
