sanna
Councillor 
Eternal Bosom of Hot Love
Posts: 189
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Post by sanna on Jan 5, 2010 10:19:00 GMT -6
Not just that. I'm frequently having people tell me that Elves wouldn't have figured out pockets or buttons. Puh-leeze! Really? What do they think Elves used? Velcro and zippers? Lacing everything together can get pretty tedious after a while. I had a similar discussion at a medieval market with a lady who would not budge from her opinion that buttons were not invented in the 14th century. Despite the fact that there is a gazillion pictures from that era of people wearing something fashionable with plenty of buttons, the extant garments with buttons still attached, the excavated fancy buttons cluttering museums worldwide etc etc. And did not Bilbo keep his ring in his vest pocket? Or am I just confusing the movie and the books? I somehow can't see the Elves he met being all "Whoa, dude!" when they saw his clothes... |
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Post by jael on Jan 6, 2010 11:13:07 GMT -6
He sure did. And he lost buttons getting out a door. But some people insist that Elves are all Archaic and stuff. Maybe it's something in the L&C about buttons and pockets being the M-e equivalent of 'Hochmut'.
Hmmm . . . that just gave me an image of Thranduil in Amish attire a la Harrison Ford in Witness. ;D
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sanna
Councillor
Eternal Bosom of Hot Love
Posts: 189
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Post by sanna on Jan 6, 2010 12:13:57 GMT -6
But some people insist that Elves are all Archaic and stuff Rings of Power they can craft just like that, and seeing-stones, and glow-in-the-dark daggers, and probably seven different flavours of lembas, but buttons? That's way too complicated technology! ;D Would Thranduil rather don a fake beard, or just tie some of his hair under his chin? |
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Post by pandemonium on Jan 6, 2010 12:47:20 GMT -6
Hmmm . . . that just gave me an image of Thranduil in Amish attire a la Harrison Ford in Witness. ;D Fortunately, I had no food or drink in my mouth when I read this and sanna's follow-up on the beard. ;D |
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Post by crowdaughter on Jan 6, 2010 13:56:14 GMT -6
Rings of Power they can craft just like that, and seeing-stones, and glow-in-the-dark daggers, and probably seven different flavours of lembas, but buttons? That's way too complicated technology! ;D Well, I believe I recall Tolkien did say somewhere that Elves knew wheels, but refused to use them for transport, although I cannot recall where or come up with the quote, at the moment. I admit I can hardly imagine any of the armies in the First Age marching without carts to carry the supply, though, or how big places like Menegroth, Nargothrond and Gondolin would have been supported without using carts to move the food and stuff there.  As for the buttons, maybe they had magically closing tunics and preferred pretty brooches, instead. Mere buttons would then be seen as so ordinary.  |
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Post by nierielraina on Jan 6, 2010 15:06:02 GMT -6
As for the buttons, maybe they had magically closing tunics and preferred pretty brooches, instead. Mere buttons would then be seen as so ordinary. I thought it was because Feanor invented snaps and those are so much easier than buttons!  |
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sanna
Councillor
Eternal Bosom of Hot Love
Posts: 189
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Post by sanna on Jan 6, 2010 15:15:16 GMT -6
The mind is boggling. So complicated things like ships are good, but wheels are not. I'm sure the good Professor is having a good laugh somewhere right now...  Sanna has no life: As for the buttons, maybe they had magically closing tunics and preferred pretty brooches, instead. Mere buttons would then be seen as so ordinary. But the button is anything but ordinary! Brooches, if they are heavy, can tear the fabric, and if they are very delicate they do not hold that well. Buttons can be made of gold and silver, or mithril for that matter, as well as from cloth. They can be decorated in any way imaginable. They can be made with a short stem and sown on the garment, or with a long stem and used just like in the modern day chef's jacket, so that when a new garment is needed they are easily removed and reused. Or they need not be used as fasteners at all, but as very affordable and easily made decoration. Buttons are fun. Making button holes is what can drive sensible people to insane acts. Sanna goes back to pretending she has a life. |
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Post by surgicalsteel on Jan 6, 2010 16:37:01 GMT -6
Buttons are fun. Making button holes is what can drive sensible people to insane acts. ZOMG, yes. I've made button holes a time or two and hand stitched them. OMG. |
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Post by surgicalsteel on Jan 6, 2010 16:40:07 GMT -6
As for the buttons, maybe they had magically closing tunics and preferred pretty brooches, instead. Mere buttons would then be seen as so ordinary. I thought it was because Feanor invented snaps and those are so much easier than buttons! Zippers. I read a crack!fic once involving zippers.  |
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Post by lalaith on Jan 10, 2010 18:19:51 GMT -6
[quote author=jael board=tolkien thread=1001 post=9447 time=1262706340 And did not Bilbo keep his ring in his vest pocket? Or am I just confusing the movie and the books? I somehow can't see the Elves he met being all "Whoa, dude!" when they saw his clothes... Wasn't the fact that he had the Ring in his pocket the whole basis of how he won that riddle session with Gollum in The Hobbit? So, that's another Y for pockets from this corner... |
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