Stuff You Should Know

The Stinky History of Human Hygiene

164 snips
Jun 13, 2023
Explore the intriguing history of human hygiene, from ancient bathing practices to modern deodorants. Discover how societal norms around cleanliness have evolved and the quirky rituals people have developed. Laugh along with humorous anecdotes about personal hygiene habits. Delve into the significance of perfumes throughout history and how they shaped perceptions of body odor. Consider the fascinating journey of hygiene products and marketing strategies that have influenced our views on cleanliness.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Cold Showers in Athens

  • Chuck lived in Athens one summer with no utilities.
  • He took cold showers for three months and lived by candlelight.
INSIGHT

Ancient Hygiene

  • Animals, like humans, display hygienic behaviors such as bathing and communal toilets.
  • Hygiene can be traced back to unicellular life as a means of disease prevention.
INSIGHT

Historical Grooming

  • People in the past were not necessarily dirty; they had different grooming methods.
  • The idea that historical people didn't groom is wrong; they were often fastidious.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app