World History

canetoad

(17,206 posts)

26. I read an interesting factoid

Thu Dec 29, 2011, 12:50 AM

Dec 2011

About Hitler's little toothbrush moustache.

During WW1 both German and allied soldiers were issued with gas masks. Those with long, lush or upstanding mo's were instructed to trim them down to ensure the masks created a good, tight seal on the face; thus the toothbrush moustache was born.

The story goes that in the years between the wars many men on both sides retained the 'toothbrush' moustache as a badge of honour; they had served in the trenches.

This story is debunked in many places on the net with the reason that the toothbrush moustache was nothing more than a fashion of it's era. Fashions, however, have been known to emerge from a practical application such as sailor's bellbottom trousers and it seems quite feasible to me that the toothbrush moustache fashion did arise for this reason.

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27 replies

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Highlight:

Pics of famous historical figures in their younger days [View all] RZM Dec 2011 OP

That would make an interesting game... dixiegrrrrl Dec 2011 #1

You're right. I didn't think of that. RZM Dec 2011 #2

Something of an aside... Adsos Letter Dec 2011 #3

Here are their approximate ages RZM Dec 2011 #4

You know all these people....any guesses? Rowdyboy Dec 2011 #5

I can only guess three RZM Dec 2011 #6

You're right on Palin and right on Elton John.... Rowdyboy Dec 2011 #8

In the bathtub RZM Dec 2011 #10

The woman in the tub cooks a mean coq au vin...the man is merely her French husband Rowdyboy Dec 2011 #11

Ahh. I needed those hints RZM Dec 2011 #12

You can really see Jackie when you look closely....I've loved her since I was a child Rowdyboy Dec 2011 #13

#2 has Bachmann eyes. n/t Adsos Letter Dec 2011 #7

You got the Bachman eyes down perfectly....100% correct Rowdyboy Dec 2011 #9

Bonus points for wedding pictures.... Rowdyboy Dec 2011 #14

'Piece of cake,' as it were :) RZM Dec 2011 #15

Obviously I've lost what little edge I had so I retire for the night.... Rowdyboy Dec 2011 #16

These are a good idea RZM Dec 2011 #17

It would be really easy to do....it took me little or no time Rowdyboy Dec 2011 #18

LOL. Looks like the Big Dawg as a pup RZM Dec 2011 #19

I saw this (and several others) when we toured the Clinton Library in Little Rock Rowdyboy Dec 2011 #20

Here are a recognizable few... ellisonz Dec 2011 #21

I'll try Saboburns Dec 2011 #22

All are right except for the last... ellisonz Dec 2011 #23

bin Laden? OswegoAtheist Dec 2011 #24

Correct. ellisonz Dec 2011 #25

I read an interesting factoid canetoad Dec 2011 #26

Interesting. Hadn't heard that RZM Dec 2011 #27