I tried the lye soap this year for the first time, it was not to hard actually if I can do it just about anybody can LOL.
At some point in time I heard a story about the origins of soap.... this is kinda gross, but it had to do with the Roman culture, and when they did animal sacrifices, the fat from the animals ran down and mixed with the ashes and created soap. Don't remember where I heard it or if it is true, but It would make sense LOL!!