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Hobbies From The Victorian Era That Seem Bizarre Today

Eagle-eyed Victorians with a scientific bent also enjoyed crafting single-celled algae, known as diatoms, into elaborate designs, according to Smithsonian Magazine. If you're wondering how they arranged these marvels, invisible to the naked eye, you're not alone. Klaus Kemp, one of the world's last diatom artisans, has practical insights into how Victorians created their designs based on years of obsessive hobbying (via National Geographic).

The specialty of professional microscopists, these artists cleaned the diatoms they collected and then placed them on a glass slide covered with adhesive. From there, the diatomist worked the single-celled life forms into desired patterns, only constrained by how long it took the bond to dry. In the case of Kemp, he uses a special glue that takes days to set, permitting him extra time to arrange his pieces.

As weird as this pastime sounds in the 21st century, it suited many Victorians to a tee. After all, they had a deep-seated curiosity about the natural world coupled with a strong sense of regularity, harmony, and order. Arranging diatoms into fantastic patterns allowed these individuals to explore nature on their terms, expressing it in an orderly and rational fashion while indulging in play and experimenting with microscopes. Kemp sums up this Victorian obsession succinctly, "I find the best arrangements overwhelming. The variety and intricacy of shapes, patterns, and repetitions evoke a profound sense of awe" (via Smithsonian Magazine).

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