THE STORY
For generations, hat makers worked with mercury compounds to transform fur into the smooth felt used for fashionable hats. The process created beautiful results — but the people making them were being exposed to something they didn't yet understand.
Tremors, memory problems, mood changes and unusual behavior became so closely associated with the trade that the phrase “mad as a hatter” entered popular culture.
Join us as we explore the fascinating history behind the expression, the people who worked in the trade, and the hidden cost behind one of fashion's most recognizable accessories.
