Happy Mad Hatter Day!

Today is Mad Hatter Day in the USA and Canada. You see the 10/6 on the Hatter's Hat from the Sir John Tenniel illustration for Alice in Wonderland? Well that's the 6th October right? It could be the 10th June in England?

According to this site:


MadHatterDay began in Boulder, CO, in 1986, among some computer folk who had nothing better to do. It was immediately recognized as valuable because they caused less damage than if they'd been doing their jobs. It was announced that first year on computer networks. In 1987 it gained minor local recognition. In 1988, it was first recognized as an official holiday by an area business, and also received its first national press coverage by news services (who are always desperate for an unlikely story). It is almost certain that the national election also gave MadHatterDay a good boost in 1988.



You can find some interesting facts about the Mad Hatter here.


What is this 10/6 thing anyway?
It was added by Tenniel as something whimsical. It's not a date it is the price of the hat in pre decimalized sterling. It is a price tag or an order. (Well Minnie Pearl did the same thing with her straw hats).

In the old currency:

4 farthings = 1 penny
2 farthings = 1/2 penny
12 pennies = 1 shilling
3 pennies = 3 pence (a threepenny bit)
6 pennies = 6 pence (a six penny bit)
20 shillings = 1 pound
21 shillings = 1 guinea


10/6 was 10 shillings and 6 pence, it also represents a half guinea. Gentlemen bought stuff in guineas, auctions were in guineas and you bought a horse using guineas. Confusing eh? Enough to drive you mad!


How come he was the "Mad" Hatter?
Some say that hatters were mad from Mercury used in the process of making felt hats in the 19th Century. This has been contested in the case of the Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter.


What is the answer to the Mad Hatter's riddle?
The Mad Hatter had a riddle "Why is a raven like a writing desk?" Originally this was supposed to be a riddle without an answer but later some people made suggestions! Who cares though!




Do something crazy for Mad Hatter Day? Wear your craziest hat. Let me know how you celebrated this momentous day!