In those cases, a mutation shuts down someone’s DNA, and the person’s cells can’t function properly afterward.īut there are other, subtler types of genetic diseases as well, including the biggest genetic disease of all-cancer. When most people think of genetic diseases, they probably think of something like cystic fibrosis, or hemophilia, or sickle-cell anemia.

It took a while, but the fire really did destroy their lives, via a genetic disease. Given that London also suffered from an outbreak of plague that year- and the fact that both events took place in a year ending in 6-6-6-well, you can see why many people believed the world was coming to an end.Īnd for some people, that was actually the case-namely, the iconic London chimneysweepers. Over the next few days, the fire consumed 13,000 homes and caused the modern equivalent of $1.3 billion dollars in damage. The flames eventually reached some warehouses along the Thames River that stored oil and tallow, and after those caught fire, the inferno was unstoppable. London didn’t have an organized fire brigade then, and a strong wind quickly pushed the flames down the street. And they were crowded so close together that the fire easily jumped from building to building. Most houses then were made of wood and had thatched straw roofs. About 1 o’clock in the morning, his house went up in flames. On September 2nd, a baker on Pudding Lane in London failed to completely put out a fire in his oven. This story start with the Great Fire of London in 1666. So today, I thought I’d right this cosmic wrong, and share this story with you all. This story didn’t make the cut for a simple, if aggravating, reason: I came across it too late in the process to include. One story especially leaps to mind, from my book on genetics, The Violinist’s Thumb. Whenever I give book talks at schools or colleges, one of the most common questions I get is this: Were there any stories you left out of the book? Stories that you wanted to include, but didn’t?Īnd the answer is-yes. Who did they employ to clean these narrow, soot-filled chimneys you ask? Very young boys. All these new chimneys meant there was a big demand for sweepers. After the Great Fire, London officials made chimneys mandatory in all homes and buildings. In 1666, the Great Fire of London consumed about 13,000 homes and caused the modern equivalent about $1.3 billion in damage. Banks to reclaim the magic and wonder in his own life.In this episode of The Disappearing Spoon, Sam Kean discusses the horrors of a particular genetic disease that was, literally, sweeping through London in the 1700s. Bert acts like a caretaker to Jane and Michael Banks while Mary is away, and he talked a bit of sense into Mr. He knows Mary quite well, he is very comfortable with her magic, and his sidewalk chalk drawings are able to come to life (though we aren’t entirely sure if Bert made his drawings come to life, or if Mary did it).Īnd maybe most importantly, Bert always seems to show up at just the right place and time (like Mary), to help the Banks family when they need it most.

While Mary Poppins clearly has a lot of magical ability, it seems as if Bert has a touch of magic inside himself too. Besides his primary occupation of being a chimney sweep, this jack-of-all-trades also moonlights as a pavement chalk artist, a kite seller, and a one-man-band (as shown in title image). We all know Bert as the lovable chimney sweep who helps Mary Poppins bring a world of wonder and magic to the Banks family. Like somethin’ is brewin’ and ’bout to begin.Ĭan’t put me finger on what lies in store,īut I feel what’s to happen all happened before.

Target chimney sweep hat mary poppins