No time for preambles:
In 1866, he quit his gentlemen's club because a servant told him he couldn't do something. Through his young adult life, he chafed under his parental restrictions about the subject. And in 1901, with an air of triumph, he was finally able to do it without restriction, and famously announced that everyone else he knew could, too.
Who was he? What was the subject of his announcement? And what made his decision possible?
First correct answer posted to comments wins a prototype version of Apple's iPunge, which allows devotees of Smell-o-Vision to download and enjoy the only completed Smell-O-Vision feature, 1960's Scent of a Mystery (Steve Jobs has indicated that future versions of the iSmell application will also be able to handle the Odorama format). No Googling or digitizing the entire contents of a library (wait a minute – that's just more Googling, isn't it?). One guess per comment, please, but comment as often as you like.
Posted by BT at October 14, 2005 11:21 AMMy mind is drawn to the story of a gentlemen's club with a sign near the door stating that members are asked not to not relieve themselves in the umbrella stand when asparagus is in season.
I thought Scott would be proud of me.
Posted by: Jonathan on October 14, 2005 11:49 AMPick his nose? (Pick his friends' noses?)
Posted by: Gavin on October 14, 2005 12:25 PMYell "Bob Hope" in a crowded quiz? And yeah, it was me.
PS to Jonathan: I beg your pardon!
Posted by: Scott on October 14, 2005 12:27 PMUh, whistle "Dixie"? Because Reconstruction ended? Strom Thurmond?
Posted by: Scott on October 14, 2005 12:44 PMBuy things on Sundays; Mr. Blue; the urge to capitalism?
Posted by: bootsy on October 14, 2005 02:20 PMEat peas with his knife? The discovery of honey? And sticking with Strom Thurmond. It's definitely Strom.
Posted by: Scott on October 14, 2005 02:49 PMSwim in trunks/bare chested. Sir Speedo. Global warming.
Posted by: Scott on October 14, 2005 02:59 PMnothing yet...
Posted by: BT on October 14, 2005 03:27 PMI'll just suggest by way of a clue at this point; the parent in question commanded more than usual filial authority.
Posted by: BT on October 14, 2005 05:39 PMI'm guessing that the parent was Queen Victoria, but I'm not sure what the thing was.
Posted by: Gavin on October 14, 2005 06:34 PMPrince Albert
Smoking
The modern ashtray
King Edward.
Drink on Sundays.
Proclamation after mom died.
plop, plop, fizz, fizz!
Posted by: art on October 17, 2005 02:57 AMIt struck me, days later, that art is hinting at belching, and I think Queen Vic dying and her son Edward? Albert? Strom???? (who knew?) seem to be the thing.
Posted by: Scott on October 21, 2005 09:24 AMLet me guess -- we have to finish this question before we can have dessert.
Posted by: Jonathan on October 21, 2005 12:11 PMOh, gosh, I'm sorry, I sent in a final comment that never, apparently, got saved. Jonathan is the winner of last week's quiz: Prince Albert Edward – he stripped off the "Albert" when he was crowned and became just plain old King Edward – was mighty put out by his mother Queen Victoria's no-cigar dicta. Shortly her death, he reportedly walked into a room full of his hangers-on with a lit cigar and announced, "Gentlemen, you may smoke."
My apologies for the Wombat's disappearance. We've had computer woes at home and I have no spare minutes at the office right now. We promise to return to a more present...um...presence, shortly.
Posted by: BT on October 21, 2005 01:13 PM