Where's your beaver, high, silk, cylinder, chimney pot, stove pipe, topper hat? Oh, I'm sorry you must be part of the unwashed masses. The top hat was worn from the late 18th century to the mid-20th century in Europe and North America. It's not very clear where it originated, but we do know it started replacing the tricorne, a paper boat shaped hat that adorned men's white wigs, at the end of the 18th century. In 20 years top hats had become the go-to accessory for any man, with even workmen wearing them. The perfect companion to the infamous monocle, the top hat further outlined the wearer's ambition for wealth and power. The iconic "I-own-you-and-your entire-family-tree's-ass" look was complete.

It was huge, and then it died.

Although top hats were worn by most, the rich men had theirs made of felted beaver fur. Why? Because they could. The  rest were left with non-fur felts that were called "stuff hats".  Another popular style was the "stovepipe hat" made famous in the US by Lincoln. Supposedly, he kept important letters and prepared speeches inside his hat.  Somewhere in the later years of the 18th century, the elite grew tired of wearing beaver fur so they started to replace it with silk. Shit hit the fan and silk hats were met with strong  resistance from pro-beaver-wearers. The decrease in beaver hats sharply reduced the size of the beaver trapping industry in North America. The beavers had won. In 1840, Antoine Gibus created a spring-loaded top hat that could be collapsed. For the sound it would make when collapsing, the French called it le chapeau claque which translates to the Slap Hat. You could now store your hat under your seat at the opera! Amazing.

So who killed it?

Suspect #1: Politicians

In the Soviet Union, politicians ignited a heated battle as to whether its diplomats should still follow international conventions and wear a top hat. In the US, Eisenhower didn't feel like wearing a hat for his inauguration, although it was normally done so for many years. Then there was JFK who hated hats, and it is said he made hats become uncool. The next US president didn't wear one either in his 1964 inauguration. The tradition ended there.

Suspect #2: Automobiles 

Before cars, you had to take the bus or the subway to get around. The space left between your head and the subways' ceiling was big enough to accommodate your hat. In a car, the space was just too small. Even the Slap Hat couldn't help you then.

Suspect #3:  Left-Wing Trolling

It was part of a look that came to symbolize control and abuse for an increasing number of people. Left-wing media would make fun of the elite by depicting them with a monocle and a top hat. Nobody likes to be trolled.

And today.

[Src: The Encyclopedic Knowledge of Wikipedia]