![]() Perhaps the Mad Hatter’s orange hair was a subtle reference to exposure to mercury. Treating the fur with mercuric nitrate was also known as carroting because it would cause fur to turn orange. It may be interesting to note that the design of the Mad Hatter in the 2010 live-action movie Alice in Wonderland may be based on the theory that he suffered from mercury poisoning. In other words, hatters could become unstable physically and mentally- they could go “mad.” Symptoms of mercury poisoning are varied, but include headaches, insomnia, emotional changes, tremors, muscle weakness, and mental disturbances. With enough exposure, the hatters could fall victim to mercury poisoning. (Remember, this was pre- OSHA and in a time when employees’ health wasn’t high priority.) Because of this, hatters were exposed to vaporized mercury from the felt treatment process. Making felt was often done in a poorly ventilated room to prevent the fur from being blown about. ![]() The hatters could then shape and finish the felt into a hat. The resulting mat was then shaped and shrunk using boiling water before it was dried to make dense felt. Breaking down the keratin roughened the fur so that when it was separated from the skin, it would mat together more easily. The disulfide bonds were broken with mercury, weakening the overall keratin structure. ![]() Keratin contains disulfide bridges, covalent bonds between sulfur atoms, giving it extra strength and rigidity. The mercury was used to break down the keratin protein structure in fur. During the hat-making process, beaver or rabbit pelts were brushed with mercuric nitrate solution. In the 1800s, hatters- that is, those who made hats- were exposed to mercury, a neurotoxin that affects the nervous system. It’s not the Hatter’s fault he was so mad- it was just an occupational hazard. Even amongst the rest of crazy characters, the Hatter is particularly off-kilter, spouting nonsensical comments and asking unanswerable riddles. The story and its sequel Through the Looking Glass have inspired countless adaptations, many of which contain the Hatter. The book is absolute literary nonsense, playing on logic with a cast of eccentric characters. In 1865, Lewis Carroll (real name Charles Dodgson) published the novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. – Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland “I haven’t the slightest idea,” said the Hatter. “No, I give it up,” Alice replied: “what’s the answer?” “Have you guessed the riddle yet?” the Hatter said, turning to Alice again.
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