Oh, those crazy Poles. Who knew that a recent exhibit showcasing women’s undergarments throughout history would gain the country more recognition than Washington’s recent decision to upgrade Poland’s military forces. But yes, it’s true. And we wish we could go, ’cause there’s something gratifying in knowing that women’s underwear did not simply begin to torture women with the thong’s invention in recent decades. This exhibit shows that it’s always been a bit tortuous! Phew. At least the universe is not tilting wildly out of balance.

But we digress. Poland’s Museum of Industry in Opatowek has garnered more attention than you could fit in the cups of a triple-E bra with its current exhibit From Pantaloons to G-Strings. Among the many items on display are knee-length cotton underpants of yore, corsets and the dumpy cotton underwears that became de rigueur for Polish women during the 1980’s communist regime. In fact, if there’s anything you take away from this exhibit, folks, take away the fact that communism is just plain bad for women’s underwear. Freedom, on the other hand, leads to thongs. Go figure.

Lastly, how hilarious is it that the AP photograph flying around the internets with this story features a little boy skulking through the shadows behind rows of women’s panties? Now that’s some subversive journalism.

Unmentionables on Display in Poland