History Warp (8/13-20): Literacy & Dentistry

I’ve been out of the closet for awhile on Willie the Shakes. Read what was required back in college, but never attend Shakespeare In The Park. The guy could obviously cut a phrase and dealt with the big issues. But too many big words spoken too quickly for my taste. Recognize his talent and importance. Never been a big fan.

I did go see the flick, “Scotland, Pa.,” years ago. It set the tale of Macbeth in a 70s fast food restaurant. Other than that . . .

So, it should come as no surprise that I’m not all that familiar with the plot details of the WS tragedy. Which shall not prevent me from broaching the subject of what happened on August 14, 1040. I’m advised the real Macbeth ascended to the throne of King of Scots, when he killed King Duncan I — his cousin by the by — in a battle near Elgin.

I have a vague recollection, though it might be faulty, that, in the play, McB accomplishes the dirty deed while Duncan is in bed, sleeping. Which seems like the paradigm of literary license. Heck, Shakespeare probably invented literary license.

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Before I get to today’s historical nugget, which heralds one of the great days in the history of dentistry, I must share the greatest dental scene in all of film. Presenting for your edification, Steve Martin as Orin Scrivillo, D.D.S. and Bill Murray as his willing patient, Arthur Denton.

Now to advise that it wasn on August 15, 1848 that M. Waldo Hatchett patented the dental chair, one eerily similar to that used by Dr. Scrivello.

“It’s his professionalism I respect.”