Abe Lincoln: a man and his BEARD

I love Abe. He is one of the most famous men that has ever lived. He freed the slaves. He remains one of our most beloved presidents (and during his presidency he was one of the least popular.)

Abe was a fascinating man, working on a farm, and as a rail splitter. He had four children with his wife Mary Todd. Mary Todd, you may know, was crazy! Certifiably insane! Cuckoo for Coco Puffs! A few fries short of a Happy Meal! A few tacos short of a... uh... I got nothing, sorry.

Anyway, Abe was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Booth was a well respected actor who had performed before the president. To put this in perspective, this was like Jack Black coming after a world leader with a sawed off shotgun. It is, like many things associated with Abe, fascinating.

This brings me to my point. Ask anyone to describe Abe Lincoln and the answer will undoubtedly include "beard without a moustache". One of the most accomplished men that have ever lived and his whole life can be diluted into a facial hair style.
Any time you ever see a man with a beard and no moustache that is exactly who you think of. He could be 400 pounds and wearing a chicken suit and people would still think he looks like Abe. Even better, a woman could have a beard and no moustache and people would say 'look at the Abe beard' before they said 'Hey! That's a lady with a beard!'

Abe is perhaps the most iconic person in American history. It's a safe bet that if a man dressed as Abe Lincoln was walking down the street next to a naked supermodel, people would talk about that day for the rest of their natural lives. And, it's an even safer bet that they would say 'Guess who was walking down the street next to a naked supermodel? A guy with an Abe Lincoln beard!'

Yes, Abe and his beard have changed the world. I assume that the beard with no moustache was very popular in Abe's day, today is rarely seen. People that do have that beard are constantly annoyed by people making comparisons to Abe.
Only one other man has ever wielded the power to destroy a facial hair style. Hitler. Yes, before Hitler, the little moustache was one of the most popular styles of moustache (right behind 'handle bar' and 'hold a pencil under my nose and pretend it is a moustache'). Even Charlie Chaplin had a little moustache, but with a slip of the razor, Hitler rendered his moustache obsolete. Abe did the same for the beard with no moustache. It still lives on, but will always be linked to Abe.

In fabulous Disneyland California, there remains a wonderful show called Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln. In this show you enjoy 3D audio and see an animatronic beard. AN ANIMATRONIC BEARD.
The show tells the story of a young soldier who is off to meet Lincoln; you get to experience his story in first person. You experience his life from when he gets his hair cut to when he gets shot. It is really cool.
Then the curtain opens and out steps Abe. Abe stands before you and speaks. It is really breathtaking. If only a naked supermodel was next to him.

To learn more about Abe Lincoln, visit your local library.