Monthly Archives: April 2014
320.WHO STARTED SHORT HAIRCUTS FOR MEN?
The dressing and decoration of hair by human beings is as old as civilization itself. Even in the very earliest times women had combs. In fact, the most primitive people somehow managed to make combs of one kind or another, of wood, bone, and metal.
But what about hair styles? It is a curious thing to notice how important the style of hair worn by men and women has been down through the ages. Savage tribes in all parts of the world have developed peculiar hair styles which have great significance for them. The Chinese originally wore their hair in a knot at the top of the head. But when the Manchu conquered their country, they were forced to wear the pigtail as a sign of slavery. Eventually this style became popular among the Chinese and they kept it.
319.WHO INVENTED COSMETICS?
Since the reason for using cosmetics has always been to make women look more attractive, we must remember that different ideas of “beauty” created different kinds of “cosmetics” all over the world.
For example, a savage African woman who cuts her skin and rubs black paint into the cuts is making herself beautiful according to the standards of her people. And when an Eskimo lady rubs grease and fat into her skin, she is using “cosmetics,” by Eskimo standards!
318.WHO DISCOVERED HYPNOSIS?
When one person has power or authority—such as a policeman, teacher, or government official, he can make other people obey certain commands he gives. But he can’t make them think or feel any way he wishes. The amazing thing about hypnosis is that a person who is hypnotized can actually be made to feel and think as the hypnotist wishes.
For example, a person who is hypnotized can be made to shiver as if he feels cold, or perspire as if he feels hot; his face can be made to turn white as with fright, or red as with embarrassment. He can even be made to hate his favorite food, or enjoy one which he always disliked. However, a person can rarely be hypnotized if he doesn’t wish to be; and he can’t be made to do something illegal or immoral, if he wouldn’t do such things normally.
