A 3 Pipe Problem: On the Evolution of the Detective's Pipe

 

(Smokingpipes.com) Since Doyle's famous "consulting detective" entered the canon of Western literature in 1887, his impact has undoubtedly cemented itself in the very fabric of popular culture. Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the "the most-portayed movie character," Sherlock Holmes has seen over 70 actors don his signature deerstalker and Inverness cape, including, most famously, the late greats Basil Rathbone and Jeremy Brett, and, more recently, actor Benedict Cumberbatch. This most recent iteration of the sleuth's adventures with his partner, Dr. John Watson, sees the story updated to a present day London setting.
However, in honor of a special episode that once again places our heroes back in their native time, that of Victorian and Edwardian era England, we thought it might be fun (and interesting) to take a look at how a now-iconic personal accessory carried by Holmes has changed over the years, evolving into the distinctive image we know today. Yes, we're talking about his pipe. Continued