Devil Pants

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In 2016, Mondelez eliminated three of the 12 Toblerone picks by reducing the weight from 400g to 360g. The price has remained the same. Haribo lost 25 grams of golden bears from his bag. At the same price and in the same package size. In economics, this deception is called “shrinkflation”, a combination of the English words “shrink” and “inflation”.

Packing something small in a big way to make it look more impressive is not an invention of the food industry in times of inflation.

In the Middle Ages, there was a “trouser devil”, the so-called codpiece, a fashionable pair of trousers that looked like a palm-sized monstrous hanger behind fabric upholstery. This spectacle infuriated the evangelical theologian and reformer Andreas Musculus (1514–1581). This “devil pants” was very popular among young people. Some even opted for a banana or cucumber shaped bulge, signaling strength and “always ready.” Musculus wrote a polemic against the “devil of pants”. The book became a bestseller in the emerging book market but did not achieve anything.

The reinforced codpiece was later used in the manufacture of armor. It was intended to protect the genitals, as spearmen preferred this part of the body when inflicting stabbing blows (French piquer). Metal push-ups had another advantage: since the armor also rusted, the oval-shaped metal plate could be removed for urination.

During World War II, New York designer Israel Pilot designed a female bra that expanded what was inaccessible to such an extent. He named this first push-up bra “Wonderbra” and patented it in 1941. After several changes of ownership, it was designer Louise Poirier who created the Wonderbra in 1961 as we know it today. Various crescent-shaped overlays are available depending on the occasion and the desired neckline.

Push-ups are now available for all genders. They comfort you for what you don’t have and humor (if you have it) for what you have. Based on Albert Camus.

Claude Cueny (67) is a writer based in Basel. He writes to Blick every second Friday. Most recently, his thriller Dirty Talk was released.

Source: Blick