Q&A

Did you know?

ANIMAL INSTINCT

Before rubber condoms appeared in the mid-19th century, other materials were used for prophylactic purposes, including linen and leather. Japanese men used condoms of tortoise shell or animal horn.

---

DIPLOMACY FAIL

With Ireland remaining neutral in World War II, both the president, Douglas Hyde, and head of government, Éamon de Valera, expressed their condolences to Nazi Germany after Adolf Hitler’s death.

---

FELINE FRIEND

The late-17th century Doge of Venice, Francesco Morosini, did not go anywhere, including into battle against the Turks, without his cat. Following his beloved pet Nini’s death, he had it embalmed, along with a mouse.

---

PAGE BURNER

In 1835, Scottish historian Thomas Carlyle sent his friend John Stuart Mill the only manuscript of his monumental work, The French Revolution: A History, Volume 1. Mill’s maid mistook it for waste paper and burned it, leaving Carlyle to write it again.