From a site called Corrosion Doctors, of all things:
http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/Elements-Toxic/Mercury-mad-hatter.htm
The felt hat industry has been traced to the mid 17th century in France, and it was probably introduced into England some time around 1830. A story passed down in the hat industry gives this account of how mercury came to be used in the process: In Turkey camel hair was used for felt material, and it was discovered that the felting process was speeded up if the fibers were moistened with camel urine. It is said that in France workmen used their own urine, but one particular workman seemed consistently to produce a superior felt. This person was being treated with a mercury compound for syphilis, and an association was made between mercury treatment of the fibers and an improved felt. Eventually the use of solutions of mercuric nitrate was widespread in the felt industry, and mercury poisoning became endemic. (reference) Dementia and erethism were indeed a common ailment among 19th Century hatmakers.
The crazy Mad Hatter of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland is becoming widely associated with the effects of Mercury on behavior as well as physiology. Mercury was used to process the felt hats used in England around Lewis' time. Erratic, flamboyant behavior was one of the most evident alterations caused by mercury. (Others included excessive drooling, mood swings, various debilities.) (reference)
Bev
RIM
-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David D. Hillman
Sent: Friday, August 06, 2010 5:06 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] NTC Friday Element Quiz - The Answer
Hi folks - here is the Friday Element Quiz Answer.
The Question:
This element was first refined from ore over 2500 years ago. Its
ionization energy is the highest of all of the metals and thermal
conductivity is approximately 50X lower than copper. This element is
extremely toxic yet has wide, long term industrial applications. World
production of this element in 1971 was 10,400 tons but was only 1490 tons
in 2001. What element am I?
Bonus points: Name the author who's fictional character was well
acquainted with this element
The Answer:
The element is Mercury - Hg. The number of people who have actually
"played" with Mercury and shined up coins is amazing considering how toxic
the element is and how long it took before the dangers were realized. My
"old" physics professors used to have vats of Hg which they used in class!
The use of mercury in dental amalgams is still a very controversial topic
for some folks.
The winner of this week's quiz is Bev Christian of RIM with Mike Fenner of
Indium running second. The answer to the bonus points was Lewis Carroll -
the Mad Hatter character from his Alice's Adventures in Wonderland story
has true life roots in the use of mercury in a hatter's shop.
Have a great weekend.
Dave Hillman
Rockwell Collins
[log in to unmask]
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