Large slow moving fans have been used for centuries to provide comfort to individuals in hot and humid climates. In Japan, hand-held fans were incorporated into style and dance and later were shared with Chinese culture. Likewise, the historic portrait of the Southern Belle of America's Deep South almost always includes a hand-held fan. Slow moving ceiling fans were often featured in classic black and white movies such as "Casablanca" and provided a sultry backdrop to drama and intrigue. During the British rule in India, servants would cool the upper class using foot-powered punkas, and this long, sweeping style fan was imported to the parlors of the Deep South before air conditioning was available. Probably the oldest recorded personal fans date back to ancient Egypt, where hieroglyphics show servants fanning the Pharaoh with palm fronds attached to long handles. In fact, a golden fan was discovered in King Tutankhamen's burial chamber.
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