Why And Who?

[saintpeter]

They say there is no such thing as a dumb question. Challenge accepted. While smoking our pipes and savoring some truly spectacular rum, a friend and I pondered the mysteries of the universe. After solving the problems of the world we turned to the hard questions. First and foremost was the burning question(s) of: Why do pipes have both straight and curved stems? We kicked around the idea of the first pipes using reeds and they were straight. We then decided that straight stems were designed for the smoking impaired to ease the problem of finding the bowl in order to facilitate lighting it. The bent bits were for the more socially advanced. Wanting to cover all possible answers I submit to you...

Why do pipes have both straight and curved stems? Secondly who “invented” the curved?

 

[didimauw]

Hmm, I'm more worried about who discovered that briar, this chunk of wood in the dirt /the nuttsack of the Heath tree, would be good for smoking tobacco ...who was that first guy???

 

[Chasing Embers]

Someone smoking a straight pipe ran into a wall and jammed it down his throat. Solution? Bent pipe.

 

[mikefu]

I’ve actually heard two different stories: the first is that the stems replicate the thinking patterns of the smoker, with straight stems indicating a logical, linear way of thought, while bent stems are more common among those who are more convoluted in their thoughts. The second story is that male pipers tend to prefer the stem shape that most closely resembles the curvature of their member. I prefer straight stems.

 

[saintpeter]

I’ve actually heard two different stories: the first is that the stems replicate the thinking patterns of the smoker, with straight stems indicating a logical, linear way of thought...

You know, that has merit. As supported by all the professors and scientists in the 50's and 60's movies smoking straights.

 

[renfield]

I’d posit that since people used to smoke all day everywhere that a bent was easier to clench and do work with.

It may also be that it was easier for manufacturers to get a bent stummel out of a block that wouldn’t easily yield a straight. Given that literally millions of pipes were being made annually the reduction in waste could be significant.

The third possibility is just cuz.

 

[Chasing Embers]

The second story is that male pipers tend to prefer the stem shape that most closely resembles the curvature of their member.

 

[brian64]

I heard it originated with a cob vs briar argument. One told the other to get bent, and a light bulb went off.

 

[olkofri]

The bents were probably invented by Peterson for their trainees to get experience drilling draught holes. ?nana

 

[olkofri]

I heard it originated with a cob vs briar argument. One told the other to get bent, and a light bulb went off.

Oh man, I almost spray painted my screen with Coke reading that!

 

[brian64]

Oh man, I almost spray painted my screen with Coke reading that!

It's called retrohaling.

 

[saintpeter]

"The second story is that male pipers tend to prefer the stem shape that most closely resembles the curvature of their member."

Which is why I am so fond of Canadian/Liverpool churchwardens!

 

[Chasing Embers]

As supported by all the professors and scientists in the 50's and 60's movies smoking straights.

 

[Chasing Embers]

The bent pipe was probably a marketing gimmick to one up the competition.

 

[mikefu]

He got wiser as he got older:

 

[saintpeter]

They were in the movies? Real life doesn't count, besides what have they discovered recently?

 

[Chasing Embers]

They were in the movies? Real life doesn't count, besides what have they discovered recently?

Then how can actors support the linear thinking theory?

 

[saintpeter]

 

[Chasing Embers]

what have they discovered recently?

When was a recent pipe smoking scientist witnessed?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Bent pipes would make more sense for scientific work as to not obscure the line of sight when studying text or contemplating formulas on a board.