Back in the early nineteenth century, with populations in cities swelling, feeding the poor cheaply in poorhouses and public hospitals became a growing concern.
In her fascinating book, Gulp, Mary Roach describes the efforts of a French chemist named Jean… Read More
Many people know Sir Walter Raleigh (1552 – 1618) as the courtly gentleman who spread his cloak over a puddle so Queen Elizabeth would not dirty her shoes. It’s uncertain whether or not this actually happened, but even if the story is true, his cloak was most likely made of leather and easily cleaned.