Sorefinger, rather than mocking Nerd, why not cite the proof of your assertions about bagpipes?

Nerd, you do likewise.

There is enough education, both formal and informal, on Mudcat that the members could easily make an informed decision. Moreover, you could both be correct, you know. As Charlie Hanson (Dr. Charles E. Hanson, Jr.) once said, "History doesn't happen like that. [Things] don't just appear and you can say, 'On this date this started to be used.'"

And Nerd -- while a PhD is taught to do research, upon whom do you think that they rely to organize the materials they research, or, for that matter, taught them the basics of library research in the first place? As you point out, a library (and by inference, a librarian) is essential.

Also, please do not fall into the trap (as I once did) of assuming that the Humanities are somehow superior to the Sciences. The research methods are different, but as least as rigorous.