Random historical oddities

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

If it's too small to justify a thread in its own right, but too extraodinary to keep to yourself, here's a good home for it.

Here's a starter-

Pope Leo XIII (reigned 1878- 1903) was an enthusiastic consumer of cocaine derivatives, and actually advertised Mariani Cocaine-laced wine.

[LordShiva]

Does the "2 threads a day" limit not apply in this forum?

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Certainly not.

[Will9]

The 3 threads a day rule? (that applies everywhere)

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

If there's one thing this forum doesn't need right now, it's restrictions on posting topics. I'm going to suggest a "suck it and see" approach- if someone feels they have 4 valid and worthwhile historical threads to add in one day, I can't see myself being too distraught.

If it starts getting out of hand, it can always be reconsidered later.

[lord of the mark]

Re: Random historical oddities

Originally posted by Lazarus and the Gimp
If it's too small to justify a thread in its own right, but too extraodinary to keep to yourself, here's a good home for it.

Here's a starter-

Pope Leo XIII (reigned 1878- 1903) was an enthusiastic consumer of cocaine derivatives, and actually advertised Mariani Cocaine-laced wine.

But lots of upper class folks used cocaine then.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

They certainly did. It's a shamelessly "presentist" stance to draw comedy value from what wasn't unusual at the time, but the comedy value sneaks it in.

The involvement in advertising was probably far more outrageous at the time.

[Cort Haus]

If it meant he delivered his sermons quicker, I'm sure the congregation appreciated it.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

January 25th 1979.

25-year-old Robert Williams, a Ford employee in Michigan, died from head injuries inflicted by a robotic stacking device. He is believed to be the first person killed by a robot.