2006-06-26 14:28:55 · 7 answers · asked by steve p 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Because they found out a way to make felt out of beaver pelt, and felt is what the hats were made out of. Besides, what woman of that era would want to wear a beaver pelt stole? Those things smelled like fish!
2006-06-26 14:32:15 · answer #1 · answered by mikesglobal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beaver pelts were used for hat making because the beaver fur had a unique quality: each hair ended in a little hook. These little hooks are what held the felt together. Some women did have coats and shrugs (a little shoulder cape) made of cured and tanned beaver hide, and they were beautiful to see. But they were also very expensive. A few beaver pelts could make several hats, and these hats were in great demand because, fashion aside, they were water resistant. So there was more money to be made from hats than from stoles or coats.
2006-06-26 23:37:02 · answer #2 · answered by old lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beaver hides are rather thick and stiff when cured. The pelt wasn't used so much as was the skin. It made a nicely finished product. as well as being durable and holding its shape.
2006-06-26 21:33:01 · answer #3 · answered by quietwalker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beavers live in water; thus the pelts have water repellant properties not found in mink.
2006-06-26 21:32:23 · answer #4 · answered by Fortuna 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because beavers were caught/skinned by mountain men and even then women didn't want anything to do with REAL men. (because it would have imposed a duty to be real women)
2006-06-26 22:53:57 · answer #5 · answered by who WAS #1? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would have homosexual overtones if they did.
2006-06-26 21:53:22 · answer #6 · answered by gannonfodder 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋