Victorian Memes

Victorian beauty standards were literally to die for! This diary entry showcases the terrifying historical practice of ingesting arsenic for cosmetic purposes. On September 5, 1900, our optimistic diarist hoped arsenic would bestow "beautiful skin." Fast forward to September 29: just "hospital." Classic case of confusing As (atomic symbol for arsenic) with a skincare ingredient instead of recognizing it as a deadly poison. The 19th-century equivalent of mistaking your cyanide for your vitamin C! Spoiler alert: arsenic compounds were actually sold as complexion wafers and beauty treatments despite being highly toxic. Science hadn't quite worked out that whole "don't eat poison" recommendation yet.

Modern chemistry: spending years on research for a minuscule improvement that'll be irrelevant before your paper clears peer review. Meanwhile, Victorian chemists were out there licking unknown compounds and declaring "splendid taste, old chap!" before promptly discovering three elements and inventing a new dye industry between breakfast and tea time. Back when science had style and the periodic table still had plenty of blank spaces labeled "adventure opportunities." Sure, they occasionally poisoned themselves, but they did it while looking fabulous in formal wear!