The earliest known reference to felting was in England back to 1180.
The best felt was make from beaver fur which combined heat, moisture and pressure to make the fur fibres mat together.
The process was complex and risky because it involved the release of mercury fumes. The dementia this caused is assumed to explain the expression 'mad as a hatter'.
The author of 'Alice in Wonderland', Lewis Carroll, is rumoured to have based the tea-party Hatter on a staff member at Lock & Co, where Carroll was a customer.
Very interesting, eh?
Thea x
Comentários