Pipe smoking is a favorite pastime of many people across the world. Not only is it relaxing, it is has a bit of a reputation associated with it. The origins of pipe smoking can be traced back to early civilizations such as the Egyptians who actually places pipes and tobacco leaves with mummies to take with them to the underworld. Additionally, many North American and Mesoamerican civilizations participated in pipe smoking as well. By 300 BC Greeks were known to smoke pipes as documented in the works of the renowned doctor Hypocrites.
Amazingly, pipe smoking made its way to Norway as Norwegian history reveals that medicinal herbs were smoked out of a pipe. By the middle ages, when tobacco had managed to finagle its way to Europe, smoking pipes became more and more common. Despite attempts to ban pipe smoking, people still managed to smoke their pipes in the comfort of their homes. It was not until the 30 years war that pipe smoking really gain recognition and momentum throughout Europe. However, during that time different governing entities managed to institute severe punishments including death for pipe smoking. The death penalty for pipe smoking was enforced in Russia, Turkey and China.
When members of the royal families across the world realized the pleasure gained from smoking pipes, the death penalties and various punishments disappeared. Penalties and punishments for smoking pipes were replaced by taxes imposed on lower classes for tobacco consumption. By the early 1800s, pipe smoking was revered as a fashionable practice in European countries. No longer associated with savagery, smoking pipes was something that upper echelon classes did during their sport and leisure times. During the 1840s, French companies quickly manufactured a longer pipe called the briar pipe. It was during this time that the briar pipe gained notoriety and popularity of use around the world.
By the 20th century, the leisure classes had taken over pipe smoking as something that coincided with the accoutrements associated with wealth. The manufacture of pipes was something that was taken quite seriously during this time as well. With much of the leisure class smoking pipes, it was not uncommon for pipes to be made of precious materials such as gold, silver or ivory.
More often than not, pipes were personalized with an emblem or family insignia as well. By the 1920s longer and bigger pipes were used to smoke tobacco out of. Now seen as a mark from antiquity these larger pipes are quickly being restored by pipe and tobacco aficionados worldwide. There are many places online that cater to the restoration of antique pipes. The legacy left by the history of smoking pipes is one that is rich and crosses cultural lines.
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