over 5 years ago
Beavers were one of the main animals of interest to fur trappers in the Minnesota region, as the fur wore well in coats and hats that were immensely popular in early 19th century North America and Europe. The crazy Mad Hatter of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland is associated with mercury, used for Beaver pelt felting. Mercury was used to process the felt hats used in England around Lewis' time, and the erratic, flamboyant behaviour of Hatter was one of the most evident psycho-physiological first effects of mercury poisoning.