187: The Hat Pin Panic

At the turn of the 20th century, a simple accessory ignited a wave of fear, controversy, and legislation. In this episode, we explore the Hatpin Panic - a bizarre and fascinating moment in history when women’s fashion clashed with societal expectations and public safety. As women began to assert their independence in cities around the world, long steel hatpins (used to secure extravagant hats) became symbols of both elegance and defiance… and, to some, dangerous weapons.