History of the Bidet
Publisher
:
La Découverte
Parution date
:
1997
EAN
:
9782707126948
Description
The (in)famous bidet: foreigners are right in giving credit to the French for this important invention. Although neither the name of its inventor nor the date of its invention is known, evidence seems to show the bidet was created by Parisian furniture makers during the 17th century. During this period of libertinage, the bidet was called "the ladies' confidant" before eventually becoming an indispensable part of modern hygiene. Associated with nudity and intimacy, as well as with therapies for venereal diseases and disgraceful family secrets, the bidet has always been an object of fascination and suspicion. On the other hand, because its use evokes the mounting of a small horse, it will stay, despite its presence in so many homes, a trivial object whose name is almost too embarrassing to mention. The history of this "unmentionable violin" has until now gone undocumented. Fanny Beaupré and Roger-Henri Guerrand have written a work that blends thorough research with a good dose of humor.
Author
Roger-Henri Guerrand : Roger-Henri Guerrand is a historian of daily life, and author of more than 15 books, including Les lieux (La Découverte, 1997). He has published numerous works on the social issues of 19th- and 20th-century France, including public housing and social urbanism.
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