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CorpseOnMars t1_iu6zvwl wrote

Reply to comment by RollinThundaga in Revisiting the great exploding trousers epidemic of the 1930s by marketrent

Then they decided putting lead in it was a good idea. Guess that made for good serial killer podcasts, so we got that.

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arvidsem t1_iu7j3jx wrote

Don't worry, they knew that the lead was a bad idea when they started. Leaded gasoline should probably be considered a crime against humanity.

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Bowfinger_Intl_Pics t1_iu7nlap wrote

Thomas Midgely Jr, the principal developer of lead in gasoline, also developed one of the first CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons.) In 1940, at the age of 51, Midgley contracted polio, which left him severely disabled. He devised an elaborate system of ropes and pulleys to lift himself out of bed. In 1944, he became entangled in the device and died of strangulation.

So he kind of took care of himself. The one man who probably caused more harm to the environment than any other individual in history.

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