We’re stepping through the looking glass this week to learn why exactly Victorian hatters happened to be so mad! In the heyday of hatmaking, mercury played a starring role in the production of felt hats, including the iconic top hats favoured by Victorian gentlemen. But behind the glamour and sophistication lay a hidden danger - mercury poisoning. From trembling hands to erratic behavior, the symptoms of mercury poisoning exacted a heavy toll on the health of hatters. Tune in to hear all about the origins of Wonderlands favourite Hatter, and how mercury is still affecting us to this day!

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SOURCES

History.com - Where did the phrase “mad as a hatter” come from?

Interesting Literature - The Curious Meaning and Origin of the Phrase ‘Mad as a Hatter’

Medium - The Original Mad Hatter From ‘Alice in Wonderland’

Wikipedia - Hatter (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)

Vanderbilt - Mad as a Hatter: Global efforts to reduce mercury emissions

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