Just learned of a fascinating soap tidbit, but not about making, using or selling. In London's Cavendish Square, an empty plinth stands where the original statue of the Duke of Cumberland — known as the "Butcher of Culloden" and very unpopular — was removed in the 1800s. In 2012 (in time for the Olympics, I guess?) an artist was commissioned to replace the missing statue with one made of soap! The idea was that it would gradually dissolve away "releasing a perfumed aroma" in the course of a year or so. Lush was reported to have been a sponsor and perhaps provided the soap. Unfortunately, the soap figure of the Duke on horseback was much more durable than expected. Instead of dissolving, the soap hardened and cracked and discolored, with some pieces falling off to expose the metal armature. It wasn't removed until 2016, 4 years after installation!