• 02-22-2025 - On This Day in Insane History

  • Feb 22 2025
  • Durée: 2 min
  • Podcast

02-22-2025 - On This Day in Insane History

Écouter gratuitement

Voir les détails du balado

  • Résumé

  • On February 22, 1732, George Washington emerged into the world at Pope's Creek Plantation in Westmoreland County, Virginia—a birth that would become far more consequential than anyone could have anticipated that chilly morning. Unbeknownst to his parents, this child would not only become the first President of the United States but would also inadvertently revolutionize dental care through his notoriously terrible teeth.

    Contrary to popular myth, Washington's dentures were not made of wood, but rather a ghastly assemblage of human and animal teeth—hippopotamus ivory, lead, brass screws, and teeth reportedly purchased from enslaved individuals. These dental monstrosities were so uncomfortable that they likely contributed to his famously stern expressions in portraits.

    What makes this particularly bizarre is that Washington was obsessive about dental hygiene for his era, yet suffered catastrophic tooth loss. By his presidential inauguration, he had only one natural tooth remaining. His dental struggles were so profound that he owned multiple sets of dentures and meticulously documented each set's composition.

    This dental drama serves as a remarkable testament to 18th-century medical limitations and the extraordinary resilience of a man who would lead a nascent nation, all while managing a mouth that was essentially a mechanical marvel of its time. Washington's dental challenges were far from a footnote—they were a constant, painful companion throughout his revolutionary life.
    Voir plus Voir moins
Voir plus Voir moins

Ce que les auditeurs disent de 02-22-2025 - On This Day in Insane History

Moyenne des évaluations de clients

Évaluations – Cliquez sur les onglets pour changer la source des évaluations.

Évaluations sur Audible.ca

Évaluations sur Amazon.ca
Il n'y a pas encore de critiques pour ce titre.