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Until the late 19th century, Western civilization was generally heliophobic, valuing pale skin (just as most non-Western cultures still do). This changed about the turn of the 20th century, as lack of sunlight (due to urban density and/or air pollution) was blamed for the poor health of industrial workers. The clincher for the advocates of sun exposure was rickets (and the discovery of Vitamin D). Ironically, lack of Vitamin D may not have been the true cause of rickets, but rather an excess of phytic acid in the diet, which binds to calcium making it unusable by the body.

The change to a heliophilic norm had an enormous effect on Western culture - it led to "glass wall" modernist architecture, as traditional architecture was seen as not just old-fashioned but also unhealthy, and it resulted in an explosive expansion of the tourist industry centred around beach holidays. It also encouraged suburbanization and resulted in a major liberalization of sexual mores (as more and more skin was exposed).

With a post-1800 POD, how can we prevent this change in attitude to the sun, and what would be the broader effects on Western society by the late 20th century? If Muslim immigration to Europe is not butterflied away, may there be less hostility to Muslim dress, for example?
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