7 WEIRD AND WONDERFUL FACTS ABOUT HATS What did the top hat of 1798 have in common with the modern car? Find out in our article - 7 weird and wonderful facts about hats! FACT 1 FACT 2 The original hat Top idea George Dunnage, the inventor of the top hat, also patented a way of ventilating them. He designed The earliest hat on record comes from a cave a unique version of this famous hat featuring a painting found in Lussac-les-Châteaux in central top which lifted off, just like a car sunroof! This France, which is 15,000 years old! was designed to keep the wearer’s head cool. FACT 3 FACT 4 The real Master of cowboy hat the kitchen Cowboys in the American West actually A chef’s hat traditionally has 100 pleats, wore bowler hats because they were strong which represent the 100 different ways an and didn’t fall off easily. The bowler was egg can be prepared. They were adopted originally designed in 1849 as a riding hat by two of the first celebrity chefs, Marie- to protect gamekeepers from hitting their Antoine Carème and Auguste Escoffi er, to heads on low-hanging branches! show who was boss in the kitchen. www.hatson4ben.co.uk [email protected] Free, confidential helpline 08081 311 333 /BenSupport4Auto @BenSupport4Auto Ben - Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund. Lynwood Court, Lynwood Village, Rise Road, Ascot, SL5 0FG. A charity registered in England and Wales (no.297877) and Scotland (no.SC039842). A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (no.02163894). FACT 6 Master FACT 5 craftsman Compulsory Panama hats are actually made in Ecuador, but they got their name from the port that many were shipped to before being distributed caps worldwide. The hats are made by weaving the In Elizabethan England, every boy over the leaves of the Panama hat plant, also known as age of six who wasn’t a gentleman had to wear the toquilla palm. a wool cap on Sundays and holidays. The rarest and best quality panama hats have This was to support the country’s wool trade, a staggering 3,000 weaves per square inch and as well as indicate social standing. In 1583, are handmade with fingers alone, not looms. A Shakespeare’s uncle, Henry, was fined 8p for top quality panama can hold water and pass refusing to wear his cap to church! through a wedding ring when rolled up! FACT 7 Strictly no dancing In Fargo, North Dakota, USA, it’s illegal to wear a hat while dancing - or even for wearing a hat to a function where dancing is taking place. th Anyone caught throwing shapes whilst wearing 13 October 2017 headgear could be sentenced to jail! www.hatson4ben.co.uk [email protected] Free, confidential helpline 08081 311 333 /BenSupport4Auto @BenSupport4Auto Ben - Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund. Lynwood Court, Lynwood Village, Rise Road, Ascot, SL5 0FG. A charity registered in England and Wales (no.297877) and Scotland (no.SC039842). A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (no.02163894)..