Tests of bones of medieval monk scribes show they may have been fatally poisoned by mercury. Mercury-based cinnabar was used to make a bright-red ink. source: http://dsc.discovery.com/ news/2008/06/27/poison-monks-mercury.html
red
You may be familiar with the ongoing court case involving the shoe designer, Christian Louboutin, who claims that the designer Yves Saint Laurent stole his signature design by making and selling red-soled shoes. Louboutin believes he ought to be granted trademark protection for making shoes with a red heel. This is a heated battle and is [...]
Nowadays, subdued colors are considered proper business attire, especially for men. But to people of the Renaissance, muted, earthy shades were the colors of poverty. Noblemen, princes and high church officials wore bright colors. The brighter the color you were wearing, the more important you were. It wasn’t until bright colors became available to the [...]
Why are barns usually red? Early 19th century farmers believed the color absorbed sunlight and kept barns warmer in winter. They made red paint by mixing milk with rust shavings from metal fences and nails. Source: Shenkman and Reiger: One-Night Stands with American History
For centuries, painters and textile dyers sought all sorts of ways to create a brilliant red. It’s a really hard color to make, as anyone can tell you who has tried to dye Easter eggs the natural way. (OK, I’ll tell you: for years, we’ve dyed Easter eggs the Martha Stewart way. Usually my kids [...]