WHO MADE THE FIRST SNOWMAN
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THE HISTORY OF THE SNOWMAN, WHO MADE THAT DUDE?
Carolyn and I were tooling down the street yesterday, and we see this amazing snowman. We both remarked at the effort and time it took to make it. I got to thinking, (a new hobby of mine) about who made the first man or women of snow? Neither of us had a clue.
Digging around, I found out snowmen are one of humanity’s earliest forms of folk art. They've been around for centuries, but nobody is really credited for rolling up the original. It does seem they became a phenomenon in the Middle Ages. Just like today, they were built with great skill and thought. At a time of limited means of expression, snow was like free art supplies dropped from the sky. It was a popular activity for couples to stroll through town to view the temporary works of frozen crystals. Some were created by famous artists, including a 19-year-old Michelangelo, who in 1494 was commissioned by the ruler of Florence, Italy, to sculpt a snowman in his mansion’s courtyard. It would have been cool if he snuck old Frosty into one of those frescos at the Sistine Chapel.
Here's a very early image of a snowman having "a bad day". He got himself a comfy chair in front of a fire and burned his legs off. That's kind of odd.
Something I learned is that at one time snowmen were used as detriments to attacks. Back in 1690, Fort Schenectady, in upstate New York, was a remote Dutch settlement under constant threat of attack. One day the gates were frozen open and the soldiers guarding them left a pair of snowmen at their post to protect the town. (They went inside to get out of a blizzard). That was a mistake. A contingent of 210 French Canadian soldiers and Native Americans were approaching. Having traveled over three weeks in knee-deep, slushy snow, they were unfazed by the snowmen and invaded the fort, killing 60 villagers. That put a quick stop to using snowmen as security guards. Here's a few that might scare me off.
Then there is The Miracle of 1511 in Brussels, one of the most important events in the snowman’s history. The “Woodstock” of the Middle Ages, it featured hundreds of racy and politically charged snow scenes throughout the city for all to see. At a time when most people had no voice and few even could read, this was a chance for society to express itself, thanks again to those free art supplies dropped from the sky.
Back in the day, snowmen in Japan were considered good luck charms and constructed with two snowballs and a lit candle placed in a cavity carved in the stomach. More than a few of these had melting issues, but as long as you had good luck, who cared.
Of course, at some point, the loveable snowman was deemed a pitchman and was used in advertising. Snowmen became movie stars, and songs such as Frosty the Snowman were performed by Jimmy Durante and Gene Autry. Coca-Cola saw an opportunity to sell a few bottles, as everybody knows making snowmen creates a powerful thirst.
Even booze was open to the idea of a slick looking snowman hocking a distilled product such as Capt. Billy's Whiz Bang. Look at the "hot mama" moving in on that fine piece of ice.
What better way to catch up than to sip wine by the fire. I'll buy a case!
Some snowmen were "supermen". If I would have tried this as a kid the whole thing would have crumpled to the ground. How did that dude get up there and where do I get a snow suit like that.
By the way, credit the Netherlands for creating a sculpture of the Dutch Queen. She's rocking that hat and muffler. Looks like those boys are having a hoot. Where are their ladies?
I still don't know who made the first snowman but learned plenty about their prominent place in history! P.S. If you can swing a donation to the site, anything would be immensely appreciated. Roll weather...TS CLICK HERE TO CONTRIBUTE
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