FIRST TOP-HAT.

Shannon News, 6 September 1927, Page 3

FIRST TOP-HAT.

In New Zealand top hats are the prerogative 'of dtage comedians, tuidert alters and politicians on official occas ions, but in Australia and other parts of the Empire they are more generally worn. Without doubt, however, London is the home of the silk hat. It was i.here that the top hat was invented, but it is not generally known that the inventor was fined for wearing the hat in the streets. The top hat, when first it made its appearance in the streets of London, created a riot. The pioneer was John Ilethcrington, a Strand latter, who in 1797 emerged from his shop with the hat, his own invention, on his head. The results were beyond all expectations. A crowd gathered and grew, those on the outside pushed so violently in order to satisfy their curiosity that many people were knocked down, A boy broke his arm and women screamed and. fainted at the very sight of the hat, which afterwards was described as a tall structure of shiny lustre, calculated to frighten timid folk. Hetherington was arrested for inciting a riot and a breach of the peace, and was bound over in the sum of £SOO not to repeat the offence.