Tuesday, December 29, 2009

The nonsense that fills my head

Everyday I look up random things on Wikipedia. I’m slightly addicted to this website. It’s a researchers dream. Sometimes I look up people like Bruce Springsteen or King Henry VIII, and sometimes its stuff like toilet paper and sanitary napkins. The last two were the searches I did yesterday. Men and/or those with weak stomachs, need not read further.

Did you know that the first use of toilet paper in human history dates back to the 6th century AD, in early medieval China. Neither did I. And did you know that in Japan at one time they used wooden rods similar to nail files as toilet paper? Insane right! Things like wool, leaves, grass, hay, stone and even the neck of a goose, that is well downed provides an optimum cleansing medium, or so is written by Francois Rabelais in Book 1 of his novel-sequence Gargantua and Pantagruel. Others used their hands! Talk about smelly past, ick.

Yeah toilet paper of all things, I know I know. But I like to know where things began. Toilet paper lead me into sanitary napkins or pads, whatever lovely name you want to give them. Now which is worse the history of toilet paper or pads? Uh huh I’m sure I know which one your thinking.

Did you know that there is a Museum of Menstruation? Nope, me either. The history of sanitary napkins, pads and tampons is quite interesting believe it or not. If you ignore the bodily fluid these things are associated with. I’ve always been oddly curious as to how women in the past dealt with their monthly cycle before the invention of these lovely products. Not only that but how did it evolve into what we have today. The belts, and garments that they use to wear, well I’m surprised that they are not noticeable in all those old photos. At one time it was believed to be detrimental to a woman’s health to do anything but let it ‘run it’s course’, leaving stained clothes, linens, beds and even furniture in their wake. It’s no wonder menstruation was listed as a disease. Although in some cultures it was looked upon with more erotic views, considering it promised fertility. I have never felt anything remotely erotic during my cycles, but whatever floats your boat.

Miss gave me the idea to write about the odd things I look up. I’m not sure if its entertaining in the sense of neat history or the fact that I take the time to do this and the oddity of my brain to want to know these things. If you enjoy it let me know, give me ideas and stay tuned to see what other odd ball mumbo jumbo I’ll write about.

2 comments:

MissCrystal said...

LMAO! I love it. I was so grossed out by all that reading yesterday but re reading it today from your perspective is very entertaining!!!
I really do think you should keep writing about what you study. You are the best researcher I know! And you obviously have a way of making it sound much more interesting!

Nikki said...

LOL your cute. My first version had tons more details but even I got a bit icked out. I figured this was way better.