Some of the most basic and uncontroversial practices we have today - things like handwashing in medicine, lightning rods on buildings, and women's right to vote - faced tremendous opposition.
Some interesting examples here! Another example, I think, is anesthesia. Andres Gomez-Emillson talks about how it took like 50 years to become widespread. Not sure why exactly.
Thanks for the flag! I just looked into - I had no idea that tomatoes were once feared by wealthy Europeans 1500-1700s. The acid in tomato made the pewter plates leak lead. Poorer Europeans who used wooden plates had no such fear. I love tidbits like this.
Some interesting examples here! Another example, I think, is anesthesia. Andres Gomez-Emillson talks about how it took like 50 years to become widespread. Not sure why exactly.
Reminds me that I can’t believe how long it took for consensus to believe babies feel pain. Maybe something similar or fears around being unconscious?
Tomatoes! :)
Thanks for the flag! I just looked into - I had no idea that tomatoes were once feared by wealthy Europeans 1500-1700s. The acid in tomato made the pewter plates leak lead. Poorer Europeans who used wooden plates had no such fear. I love tidbits like this.
I did not know abut the pewter/lead leak as a rational reason to fear tomatoes!