For some reason a link came up to this video and I always get sentimental about Ivory soap because my namesake, Peter Dimitroff Simes was an Ivory soap cutter for most of his life (In addition to making me think about my ancestors, it raises a really probing question about soap). Great-grandpa Peter came to the United States from Bulgaria (rumor has it that he deserted the Bulgarian army just before WWI, because they marched the soldiers off to battle with swords and no guns; he also ran into his father for the last time while deserting, but that's another story) around 1918, settled in lovely Cincinnati, Ohio, and got a job at Proctor & Gamble cutting ivory soap. He worked there until he died in 1962; his death certificate even states "soap cutter" as his profession (I know because I've seen it!).
Peter D. Simes c. 1935 (left to right), great-uncle Peter Herman Simes, great-aunt Bernadette Simes, great-grandma Christina Simes (née Bunthoff), and great-uncle Frank as a toddler.
If you want to blame someone for having to interact with me on a weekly basis in this class, then blame Ivory soap (or Proctor & Gamble by extension), because that soap-cutting job led to my grandfather becoming a dentist; a career which helped him send my father to school; my father the engineer then helped me get to where I'm at today. Don't blame them, blame Ivory. However, you can't stay mad at it for long because after all, it floats!
Ivory Soap bar c. 1940s. There is a chance (albeit slim) that great-grandpa Peter cut this bar of soap.
Not even going to read your other "real" post....this one is GREAT!
ReplyDeleteHope you didn't miss me too much at the "little kid's table" tonight!