I like to think that the Bitcoin split was done to isolate infected cryptocurrency.
Seriously good article. I think I vaguely knew of the history behind tulipmania, but I wouldn't have guessed a disease caused the prized phenotypes. If virologists existed back then they would have made millions of guilders.
"I like to think that the Bitcoin split was done isolate infected cryptocurrency."
That's an interesting take!
Perhaps I'm just not aware of the research into it if it exists, but I'm actually surprised no one has worked on a tulip that is resistant to the virus. Instead, horticulturists seek to eliminate it. Like the bortyritis fungus that makes some dessert wines, winemakers use the infection to their advantage rather than their detriment. it's the old saying that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
The first virologist could have made a fortune, but eventually it would have become too abundant. :) I wonder if anyone tried to color it with some substance or that would have killed the flower even faster anyways.