Hats facts

Mercury poisoning. Mad hatter's disease is a common name for chronic mercury poisoning among hatmakers, who were often exposed to mercury vapors during felting works. Along with physical symptoms such as tremors or loss of hair and teeth, hatters tended to develop characteristic psychological traits, such as pathological shyness and marked irritability.

Morocco. The name of fez comes from the city of Fes, Morocco, where it became fashionable among Andalusian Arabs in the 17th century. The fez got widely popular in the Ottoman Empire after 1829, when Sultan Mahmud II ordered his civil officials to wear the plain fez, and also banned the wearing of turbans.

Ecuador. A Panama hat is a traditional brimmed straw hat of Ecuadorian origin. Despite their name, Panama hats have never been made in Panama. They originated in Ecuador where they are made to this day. Historically, throughout Central and South America, people referred to Panama hats as “Jipijapa,” “Toquilla,” or “Montecristi” hats at the time (the latter two phrases are still in use today).