How big was the global market for ostrich feathers in the early 1900s?

It was big. For South Africa, it represented the fourth-most lucrative export item, after diamonds, gold and wool. The quantities going through Britain, France and the United States were really quite amazing; for example, $5 million imported to the United States in 1913.

What sets the stage? Women are choosing to buy feathers as items of adornment, and they’re particularly drawn to ostrich feathers, which are considered beautiful and light. Why does the market crash?

First, changing fashion norms. Women are going into the workplace because of the First World War and desiring more utilitarian clothing. Second, social politics.

There was a bird protection movement that succeeded in passing anti-plumage bills banning the sale of feathers from wild birds. Ostriches weren’t killed for their feathers, but now women didn’t want to wear feathers anyway. You write about this as a forgotten episode.

It’s not only forgotten because to us it seems like a frivolous chapter of history; it’s also ... more.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.