Today, the word “asbestos” is nearly synonymous with words or phrases like “cancer,” “workplace carcinogen,” and simply “dangerous.” But asbestos once held a much different reputation. For centuries, it was prized for its insulation and fire-resistant properties, leading to a variety of strange and surprising uses throughout history. From ancient Roman tableware to medieval warfare, asbestos found its way into a fascinating range of products.

We discuss several of these strange uses below.

Asbestos Napkins and Tablecloths

In the 1st century AD, the famed Roman author and philosopher Pliny the Elder wrote about a “live linen” made of asbestos. He related to readers having witnessed asbestos napkins tossed into a blazing fire, only to come out cleaner and fresher than before. This live linen, he explained, was also used to make funerary shrouds for monarchs; since the material didn’t burn, it would keep the monarchs’ ashes separate from those created by the burning pyre.

While Pliny the Elder incorrectly speculated that asbestos was a vegetable that grew in the sun-scorched deserts of India, where “no rain is ever known to fall,” this early historical account illustrated a fascination with the properties of asbestos long before its harmful effects were understood.

In a similar vein, unconfirmed legend has it that in 800AD, King Charlemagne of France, the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, astounded guests at the end of a feast by removing a snow-white tablecloth made of asbestos and throwing it into the raging tableside fire. Remnants of the meal were consumed by the flame, and the cloth, woven with asbestos fibers, emerged unscathed.

Asbestos in Warfare

Asbestos even made its way into warfare during the First Crusade in 1095. French, German, and Italian knights used trebuchets, siege engines that were essentially large catapults, to hurl projectiles at enemy targets. By wrapping bags of pitch or tar in asbestos, knights could prevent them from going into flames before they were launched. Asbestos fibers were also woven into suits of armor to serve as insulation.

Benjamin Franklin’s Asbestos Purse

Benjamin Franklin, a cash-strapped 19-year-old, arrived in London for work in 1725. His journey did not go as planned, and he found employment at a printing shop and stayed there for about a year. In an effort to make extra funds, he sent a letter to collector and naturalist Hans Sloane, telling him of the curiosities he bought across the Atlantic he may want to purchase.

One item listed was an asbestos purse, which seemed impervious to fire. If it became dirty, throwing it into a fire would purify it. Sloane invited Franklin to his house and paid very handsomely for this item. The asbestos purse is now on display at the Natural History Museum in London, safely placed in a small clear box in an oak display cabinet.

Asbestos in the 19th and 20th Century

Large deposits of asbestos were discovered in the United States and Canada at the end of the 19th century, and its use soon exploded. Between the 1940s and 1980s, many types of asbestos were used in more conventional industrial, commercial, and residential settings. Job sites that had asbestos-containing materials and products included:

  • agricultural processing plants,
  • chemical plants,
  • construction sites,
  • manufacturing plants,
  • oil refineries,
  • paper mills,
  • tire manufacturing plants, and
  • utility power plants.

Contact the O’Brien Law Firm Today

As a result of asbestos exposure, people are put at risk of developing mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other cancerous and benign diseases. When it comes to pursuing compensation, hiring a local law firm like the O’Brien Law Firm makes all the difference. Your case deserves the special individualized attention it needs.

Our lawyers have a deep understanding of the legal process unique to St. Louis city, the state of Missouri, and the Midwest. For a FREE case evaluation, contact us online or give us a call at (314) 588-0558!