The Thursday 3

Anyone who does research for anything knows how easy it is to fall down that rabbit hole of fascinating information-most of which you won't end up using.
Here are 3 interesting things I've come across in my current research that didn't make it in:

#  1

          Vesta Tilley

Matilda Alice Powles took the stage name Vesta Tilley when she was 11 years old(!) She was a music hall performer and became one of the most famous male impersonators of her era and enjoyed her fame for over thirty years. She was married and had the title of Lady and was quite revered in her time.


# 2

         Pullman Porters

George Pullman came up with the idea to cater to high-end train travelers by designing hotel-like accommodations.                              

He staffed the luxury cars with a team of porters. Pullman recruited only black men and their job was to handle baggage, shine shoes, set up and clean the sleeping berths and serve passengers. 

George Pullman was open about his reasons for hiring only black porters but despite the undeniable racism behind those employment practices, he ended up giving advantages to people who desperately needed them. Pullman porters were known for their superior service and many went on to become almost famous in other service jobs such as in the White House.

#  3

       Coco Chanel
I knew nearly nothing about Coco Chanel. I didn't even realize she was designing in the early 1900s.   She was a true entrepreneur as well as a creative. She learned to sew in an orphanage and attempted cabaret singing before designing clothes that would help free women from corsets and bustles. There's a lot to her story but what's most interesting to me, so far, is that she was able to accomplish much of what she did because of the relationships (as mistress, usually) she had with men who had money. But, this does not diminish her legacy in anyway, for her success,influence and style were all her own.