10 Fun Facts about Carpet
- The term “carpet” derives from the Latin carpere, “to pluck,” probably because carpets were made from unraveled “plucked” fabric. “Carpet” has the same Latin root as carpe diem, literally “pluck/seize the day.
- The popular song “Magic Carpet Ride” by the Canadian band Steppenwolf peaked at #3 in the US and became the band’s second hit, behind “Born to Be Wild.” It has been interpreted as describing an acid trip or as representing the hippy movement of the late 1960s.
- Early Hoover vacuum cleaners were hard to sell because potential customers refused to believe (and were even insulted by the suggestion) that they could have that much dirt in their carpets.
- To remove candle wax from a carpet, place a brown paper bag over the spot and put a hot iron over it. The wax will be absorbed into the bag.
- Red carpets traditionally marked the ceremonial and formal routes of leaders and politicians. The first reference to a “red carpet” is Agamemnon (458 B.C.) by Aeschylus.
- Each year, several pounds of soil can accumulate in and under a carpet.
- The highest amount ever paid for a carpet was the ‘Vase Carpet’ for sale at Sotheby’s. It was a mid 17th century piece from Southeast Persia which was sold for a record price of $9.6 million.
- Carpets rank as one of the most common items of trade throughout history. Rare rugs were given as gifts between kings.
- The American floor covering industry argues that the difference between a “rug” (related to the words “rag” and rough”) and a “carpet” is strictly a matter of size. Any piece smaller than 40 square feet is considered a rug while anything larger is a carpet. According to the American carpet industry, then, the “flying carpet” or “magic carpet” is technically a rug.
- The floral designs known as palmettes on oriental carpets are mostly derived from the lotus or peony. In regions of the world where water was a precious commodity, it is perhaps not surprising that flowers and fauna were the symbol of paradise.
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