A ubiquitous sight on trees (especially southern live oak and bald cypress) in the Southeastern U.S. is the phenomenon of Spanish moss--so named because it resembled the beards of the conquistadors who explored the New World several centuries ago. The Spaniards called it "French Hair" in retaliation.
Actually, Spanish moss is not a moss but instead is a bromeliad and related to pineapples. It is not parasitic but merely uses the tree as support while it nourishes itself from the water and dust in the air. In doing so, it provides a haven for various creatures such as bats and birds.
It has been used as material for dresses, tinder, blankets, ropes, mortar, mulch, and mattress stuffing.
In 1915, Henry Ford decided that what was good for mattresses would also be good for the upholstery in his Model T production, and he turned to Spanish moss as a cheap, plentiful, and renewable source for stuffing for seats. Unfortunately, Ford did not realize that Spanish moss was not only a haven for bats and birds but was also prime real estate for chiggers. Because Ford used for his upholstery raw Spanish moss which had not been boiled or otherwise treated, Model T owners could be identified by the plethora of angry red bites (especially around the groin) and extreme pruritus associated with a major attack by the red bugs.
Ford instructed the relevant Model T victims to bring their vehicles back for the installation of replacement vermin-free seats. This was the first known automotive recall.
No comments:
Post a Comment