Eli5. How did a red white and blue spiral pole become synonymous for barber shops?
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Interesting, I had learned long ago it was from leaching, which barbers did as a treatment for many common ailments.
Interesting, I had learned long ago it was from leaching, which barbers did as a treatment for many common ailments.
It’s been mentioned other places but barbers used to wear many hats, especially in more rural areas depending on the skills of the man they apprenticed under, practical surgery rather than book learning doctor stuff. They did everything from hair, shaving, leeching, bloodletting, circumcision, stitches, setting broken bones, amputations, prosthetics, dentistry, undertaker services (for when any of the rest goes wrong). The pole was a sign to the illiterate townsfolk, here’s where you get all the bloody services much like a big horseshoe indicates the blacksmith, a boot for the cobbler (shoemaker), or big scissors and thread shows you a tailor shop.
It’s been mentioned other places but barbers used to wear many hats, especially in more rural areas depending on the skills of the man they apprenticed under, practical surgery rather than book learning doctor stuff. They did everything from hair, shaving, leeching, bloodletting, circumcision, stitches, setting broken bones, amputations, prosthetics, dentistry, undertaker services (for when any of the rest goes wrong). The pole was a sign to the illiterate townsfolk, here’s where you get all the bloody services much like a big horseshoe indicates the blacksmith, a boot for the cobbler (shoemaker), or big scissors and thread shows you a tailor shop.
One thing that has not been mentioned yet: the reason the barber pole is prominent, and the reason the three balls of a pawn shop logo are prominent, is as a sign for clientele who were not literate. Nowadays that is less important.
One thing that has not been mentioned yet: the reason the barber pole is prominent, and the reason the three balls of a pawn shop logo are prominent, is as a sign for clientele who were not literate. Nowadays that is less important.
Here in Denmark barbers had to function as emergency rooms for the general population until somewhat before WW1.
Here in Denmark barbers had to function as emergency rooms for the general population until somewhat before WW1.
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