(This story was originally written and recorded for Podcast #64, released on July 16, 2013.)

A November 9, 1959 story told of the latest unusual product that was being shown at the National Barber Show in New York City. 

Diana Tessler, the president of a company that manufactures toupees, was introducing a new line of chest tapestries. 

A chest what???

A chest tapestry.  Or a chest toupee.  Or a chest rug.  Or a chest falsie.  Whatever you want to call it, it was a falsie for men who lacked ample amounts of chest hair.  Made from real imported hair, Ms. Tessler claimed that they were purchased mostly by scrawny guys and that the most popular shade was brown.

“The people at the barber show came to me and suggested we make up a chest falsie as a stunt,” Ms. Tessler said, “But I said, ‘Stunt? I have many customers using them already.’ They seemed surprised.”

When questioned as to who would wear such a thing, she replied,
“Usually, little scrawny fellows. I never ask my clients why they want them. I figure it’s their own business.”