Discovery of hand washing

In the 21st century, hand washing is emphasized everywhere and it would seem strange if anyone did not know the importance of hand washing as it is pretty much taught from your preschool days. So it is interesting to know when I looked up the first handwashing discovery, not only did NO one really wash their hands habitually but there were many people opposed against the theory that hand washing may prevent disease.

Sammuel Ignaz was an Hungarian doctor who noticed new mothers in maternal wards dying due to medical students attending to them. These medical students in particular , worked with cadavers and autopsies. After working with cadavers, they would come to attend as obstetricians. The women who gave birth on the street were less likely to do from postpostum infection. Thinking about it now in this world and internet age, one would immediately conclude that the mothers in the maternity ward would fall sick.

At the time when Sammel Ignaz pointed out to the doctors that they should wash their hands before going to the maternal ward, the students/doctors scoffed at his thoery. The germ theory came much later when Loius Pasteur made the discovery, but Sammuel not knowing the real reason behind maternal childbed fever, still continued to uphold his theory that hand washing would help prevent the spread of germs.  More information about Sammuel Ignaz is here. 

Adidas and Puma brothers

Adidas and Puma are popular and well known sports brands all around the world. But did you know that the founders of Adidas and Puma are brothers? Rudolf Dassler left the family business and started Puma footwear, whereas his brother Adolf Dassler stayed back and changed the name of the family business to Adidas (Adi for Adolf).

Both the brothers had a quarrel which led them to split up and they continued to have severe rivalry till their deaths. The town they lived in caused the inhabitants to be separated as well, as most of the residents either worked for Puma or Adidas. Interested in reading more, go here.

Fast Fashion and Dead White man’s clothes

Fast and changing fashion in Western countries like the US, European nations has changed the landscape of Ghana, a country in Africa. People of western nations donate clothes to charity after light or heavy use, but probably are not aware where all of it goes. Clothing which are in good condition to be sold in thrift stores are kept, but the remaining which cannot be sold end up being exported to countries like Ghana.

‘Obrani Wawu’ or ‘Dead White man’s clothes’ are sold everywhere in cities like Accra in Ghana. Though this business of retailers in Ghana importing clothing from the West has been going on for a long time, it has become more frequent with about 15 million pieces of clothing imported every week. This definitely is more than what the country needs, and though some of the clothing with minor defects may be reused, a lot of it is thrown away which ends up in landfills or in the sea.

High quality or lightly worn clothing is in demand, but the remaining stained/torn clothing sadly end up being thrown, when actually they should not have been exported in the first place. Accra’s Kantamanto Market, the popular market in Ghana gets a daily import of ‘dead white man’s clothes’, as the locals call them. I found this website where a team has done research of the growing crisis of clothes wastage and pollution of the environment, and probably you can help in the effort!

Pompeii and Vesuvius

You may have heard of the ancient city of Pompeii in Italy and how it was destroyed by Mt Vesuvius’ fiery wrath. In 79 AD, the volcano buried Pompeii under a thick layer of volcanic ash. Thousands of people died during the volcanic eruption at the time, and many thousands fled the area. Explorers in 1748 rediscovered the forgotten city and found the buildings and remains of people who lived during the time.

Interestingly, archeologists were able to even find the ‘preserved bodies‘ by filling plaster into cavities and holes left in the thick volcanic layer. So, basically, a cavity some 30 ft below the surface, which contained skeletal remains, was found and filled with high grade plaster. Once the plaster hardened, an outline of the body formed and the archeologist gently removed the outer layer of volcanic ash and dust to reveal the body frame. Though it is sad to know, it is also interesting to note that no other bodies or buildings have been so well preserved this way for 2000 years, if not for the volcanic ash.

More facts to come…