October 7th in history

October 7th

1806 Carbon paper patented in London by inventor Ralph Wedgwood

1920 The first women were admitted to study for full degrees at Oxford University

1922 The first royal broadcast was made, by the Prince of Wales, on 2LO, 11 days before it changed its named to the BBC.

1946 The BBC presented its first edition of Woman's Hour, a daily programme of music, advice and entertainment for those in the home. The programme included an item on how to de-slime your flannels (!) and also broadcast the first episode of the thriller serial 'Dick Barton, Special Agent'.I shall research how to de slime flannels.

1959 – Three hundred people were rescued after being cut off by a blaze on Southend’s pier, (the world’s longest pleasure pier on England’s south-east coast).

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

Thinkerbell · 41-45, F

Umm... how did the flannels get slimy in the first place...? 🤔

TheSirfurryanimalWales · 61-69, M

@Thinkerbell yes…what was happening in 1946?
But I did look it up and a cup of vinegar in the wash seems to help.

Thinkerbell · 41-45, F

@TheSirfurryanimalWales

My question answered:

The first point is that "flannel" is a British term for washcloth, so the program was referring to slimy washcloths, not flannels in general. (I also didn't know they made washcloths out of flannel in Britain.)

And here is the explanation of why (flannel?) washcloths might get slimy in the first place:

https://housefixmaster.com/why-do-washcloths-get-slimy/