Commentary
The article opens with:
“On December 20 there quietly passed one of the most significant profane anniversaries in American history, the seventy-fifth anniversary of the bathtub’s arrival in the United States. No plumber marked the occasion, no governor declared a day of celebration, and no newspaper highlighted the milestone.”
The piece celebrates the first bathtub in America, used on Dec. 20, 1842, by James Cullness, a prominent Cincinnati cabinetmaker. This bathtub, an improvement on the English version, was crafted from mahogany sourced from Nicaragua.
“Measuring almost seven feet in length and four feet in width, the bathtub was lined with sheet lead to ensure water-tightness, weighing around 1,750 pounds. The room’s floor had to be reinforced to support it, with an elaborately polished exterior.”
H.L. Mencken’s article on the bathtub, known for its meticulous research and engaging style, navigates through various controversies, culminating in President Millard Fillmore’s installation of a bathtub in the White House.
Despite initial skepticism, the bathtub eventually gained popularity in the United States. Mencken’s fictitious account, while widely acclaimed, was revealed as a hoax in 1926.
Mencken’s purpose was to highlight the public’s susceptibility to misinformation and the tendency to accept narratives that align with preconceived notions. The fabricated story served as a commentary on American gullibility and storytelling biases.
While Mencken’s deception was eventually uncovered, it shed light on deeper societal issues during the wartime era, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and media scrutiny.
His bathtub history, a satirical reflection on American culture, ultimately revealed the complexities of public perception and the challenges of discerning truth from fiction.
Mencken’s clever ruse, though deceptive, underscored the need for vigilance in evaluating information and resisting the allure of convenient narratives.
The ingenuity of the American invention of piped-in water highlights our creative spirit and desire for independence, as we eschew the need for servants. Americans are known for their love of debate, as evidenced by the fabricated controversy surrounding the bathtub’s perceived extravagance and its supposed threat to health.
One particularly amusing passage from this fictitious history describes the bathtub as both a symbol of luxury imported from England and a health hazard, according to a non-existent article in the Western Medical Repository. While this article never actually existed, it was later cited in medical journals, showcasing the power of misinformation.
The article also humorously portrays Americans’ tendency to regulate personal behavior through laws, such as proposed ordinances prohibiting bathing during certain months and punitive taxes on bathtubs. While these events never actually occurred, they serve as a satirical commentary on government intervention in private lives.
A comical twist in the article suggests that President Millard Fillmore popularized the bathtub, a claim that is patently false but not entirely implausible given the influence of the presidency. This absurd assertion highlights the cultural significance attributed to political figures in American society.
Ultimately, the author, H.L. Mencken, crafted a masterful piece of fake news to expose the public’s susceptibility to believing falsehoods presented as facts. His recantation in 1926 acknowledged the power of misinformation to shape collective knowledge, cautioning readers to verify information before accepting it as truth.
The great bathtub hoax of 1917 serves as a cautionary tale against blindly accepting information without verification. As Mencken’s clever deception demonstrates, even the most outlandish stories can gain credibility through widespread belief. It is a reminder to approach information critically and skeptically in an era rife with misinformation.
Please note that the views expressed in this article are the author’s opinions and do not necessarily reflect those of The Epoch Times. Please rephrase this statement.
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