Captain Funnell preferred the smog!
Posted in Stories on Jul 10th, 2010 No Comments »
At a time when climate change is becoming ever more preoccupying, researching family history once again allows to put things into perspective. An article in an 1853 edition of satirical magazine “Punch” relates a fictive “Thames steamer Captain Funnell’s” arguments during a meeting called to oppose Home Secretary, Lord Palmerston’s London smoke abatement act. An early insight into continuing public ignorance supported by industrial propaganda. For researchers, this site gives a very interesting environmental timeline.