Ever Wondered...?

Keys and Locks: A History

Locks are one of those items we use every day without thinking about it. Of course, they’re useless without keys to open them. Naturally, the histories of locks and keys are intertwined. These combined histories go back to Ancient times yet remain unfinished. As technology advances, locks and keys continue to be transformed. Even so how did it all begin? Let’s go find out!

ANCIENT LOCKS

Some say the oldest locks are estimated to be 6,000 years old. These keys were from the ancient Babylonian Empire and Egypt. Others say the oldest locks are the 4,000-year-old examples found near the ruins of Nineveh in ancient Iraq.

Collection of old keys. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

Egyptian keys used pegs hidden in a wooden block and looked similar to a toothbrush. These wooden keys and their matching wooden locks were easy to damage. The Romans later improved the Egyptian design by using metal instead of wood. Rich Romans would wear keys like rings on their fingers thus displaying that they were not only wealthy enough to afford locks and keys but that they had something valuable enough to lock away.

Warded locks were also a Roman invention. Wards are ridges inside a lock that only allow keys of the right shape to open the lock. This meant that locks had to be opened by a specific key and could no longer be opened using just any key. Keys of this era began to take on the familiar skeleton key shape.

ADVANCEMENTS

In the Middle Ages, warded locks were created for the first time fully out of metal. Locksmiths at the time focused on making warded locks difficult to pick. Instead of working to advance the security of locks themselves, however, locksmiths made multi-key locks, fake keyholes or complex keys.

Robert Barron and Joseph Bramah took up the task of creating new locks in the late 18^th century. Barron’s patent used two levers which had to be lifted to separate heights before the lock unbolted. Jeremiah Chubb improved this design in 1818 by adding a retaining spring that stopped a lock from opening if the tumblers went up too high.

A key-shaped necklace. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

With the help of Henry Maudslay, Joseph Bramah created a lock, a few years after Barron’s invention, that would be unpickable for decades. It used a cylindrical key with specific notches in it. The notches would slide metal plates into an exact spot before the lock could be opened. These locks still exist today.

In the 19^th century, Linus Yale Sr. patented a lock similar to the locks of the Ancient Egyptians. It was a pin tumbler lock that needed a key with ridges of varying heights. The ridges had to match up with pins in the lock correctly before it could open. Linus Yale’s son, Linus Yale Jr., improved on this design by adding pins of different lengths and seated edges on a flat key. Yale locks are still common today.

KEYLESS

Today it’s not uncommon to see pin pads and other mechanisms instead of traditional locks As technology continues to advance so do locking mechanisms. Keyless locks are available, but traditional locks continue to be used as well. In the future locks might use artificial intelligence. Who knows what advances could be made to keys, locks and other locking mechanisms?

MY THOUGHTS

I think it’s amazing that something as simple as a piece of metal with notches on it can be a technological advancement. Honestly, I’ve always loved keys. They’re just good to look at. As for security, I’m not sure if combination locks, keypads or old-fashioned locks and keys are best. What type of lock do you prefer? Let me know in the comments!

CONCLUSION

Key-shaped decorations. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

The people of Ancient times wanted to lock away their valuables for safekeeping. That desire is still around today. For that reason, locks and keys were invented and improved as people’s needs (and wants) for security changed.

Today, locking mechanisms are advancing. Keys may become a thing of the past if keyless technology takes over. The next time you open your door or start your car, think how that simple action wouldn’t be possible without the inventions and advancements of the past or how it could change in the future.

Who invented the electric fan?

It is hot outside, your air conditioner is broken, and you desperately need to cool down. You drink ice water and take a cool shower, but it doesn’t last. Finally, you find an electric fan in the back of your closet. True, it’s not air conditioning but the fan keeps you cool for the rest of the day.

Who do you have to thank for your change of temperature? It’s just a simple fan, but at one point someone had to invent it. The simple fan is used not just to keep you cool but in computers, HVAC systems, cars and many other technologies.

A world without fans would be very hot indeed. Although fans are versatile, sometimes stylish and useful, this invention is often overlooked. It’s time to find out who invented the amazing electric fan.

EARLY FANS

A VERY dusty fan motor. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

Hand-held fans had been around for centuries. In India, there were also ceiling fans called ‘Punkahs’ since the early 17^th century. Punkahs were large palm fronds or cloth-covered frames operated through a series of pulleys worked by pulling on a rope. Usually, these fans were in upper-class homes and were operated by servants. Similar ceiling fans can be dated even further back to the Roman Empire.

IMPROVEMENTS

Steam-powered fans came along next. They were operated by belts and could be built into a system to cool office buildings, department stores, restaurants, and other large spaces. However, it would take a long time for fans to become common in people’s homes.

In 1882, Dr. Schuyler Skaats Wheeler invented a two-blade, DC (Direct Current) powered desk fan. The fan was dangerous as it had no protective cage around the spinning blades. It was made of brass.

In 1886, father and son team John and James Hunter built a water-powered ceiling fan. In 1889 Philip Diehl adapted a motor from a Singer sewing machine to patent the first electric ceiling fan. It used only two blades.

A ceiling fan. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

AC (Alternating Current) motors were invented in the 1890s. The AC-powered fans replaced their DC-powered predecessors. In 1896, Philip Diehl improved his ceiling fan by adding a light fixture. By World War 1, ceiling fans were using four blades instead of the original two.

Today, fans are available for everyone but that wasn’t always the case. It wasn’t until the 1920s that the mass production of steel fan blades made them more affordable. The 1920s also brought quieter fans. Over time, different styles and colours were created as fans became popular for every household.

Dr. Schuyler Skaats Wheeler invented the first electric desk fan, while Philip Diehl invented the first electric ceiling fan. Neither one could’ve made their inventions without the innovations that came before them, like electricity for example. Nevertheless, both these inventors should be praised for their contributions to cooling technology.

UNPOPULAR

A fan with a cage. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

In the 1950s, air conditioning was so popular that fans almost died out altogether. In the 60s most companies were slowly giving up on small fans. In the 1970s, fans were used as a more energy-efficient alternative to air conditioning during the energy crisis. Sometimes fans are still chosen over air conditioning because they can be more energy efficient.

MY THOUGHTS

Fans are cool (pun intended). There are so many different types of fans with different purposes. I find it so interesting that something so simple can be so diverse. Personally, I like larger electric fans especially oscillating ones. What kinds of fans do you like best? Let me know in the comments!

CONCLUSION

On a hot day, it’s always nice to have a fan around. Fans keep you cool and sometimes help cool technology too. With a variety of price ranges and styles available there’s a fan out there for everyone. Without fans, your car and electronics would overheat easily. The fan is a simple and overlooked invention.

Fans are so common today that it’s hard to imagine life without them, especially in hot weather. Today they are an affordable and sometimes energy-efficient option for bringing down your temperature. The next time you use a fan stop to appreciate this simple, though important, invention. Who knows what technological advances we would be missing it wasn’t for the invention of the electric fan?

How did we get glass windows?

Windows are very useful. With them, we can check on the weather or enjoy a bit of nature without even leaving the house. Windows can be stylish, energy-efficient, clear, or coloured. At first glance, most windows seem extremely simple, but the history of windows is not as transparent as It first appears.

BEGINNING

The English word ‘window’ originates in the Old Norse language. The Old Norse word for ‘window’ was ‘vindauga.’ This word itself comes from ‘vindr’ meaning ‘wind’ and ‘agua’ meaning ‘eye.’

Old windows. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

The first windows would have been holes in the walls of a residence. As time went on though, people realized that while the extra light was nice, they needed some more protection from the elements. Think of all the pests, rain, and snow that would come through a gaping hole in your wall. Not a nice thought.

BEFORE GLASS

Instead of just blocking up the holes again, people began to use a variety of materials to cover their windows. Some stretched thin animal hides across their windows. In Ancient China, Japan and Korea many people used paper coverings for their windows. Some people used shutters which can be closed if the weather gets bad and opened when the weather is nice.

FIRST GLASS

Inside a glass vase. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

Archeological evidence suggests that the first man-made glass surface was created around 3500 BC around Egypt and Eastern Mesopotamia. Despite the inevitable bumps in the road, for 500 years the area was the centre of glass production.

Making glass was a difficult task. The furnaces used to melt glass were small and barely did the job. When Syrian craftsmen invented the blowpipe, the process changed for the better. It became faster, easier and more affordable to make glass. Although people were making glass, it still wasn’t used for windows but things like jewelry, and vases.

ROMAN EMPIRE

Around the first century AD, the Romans discovered a way to make clear glass. The glass wasn’t transparent like modern windows, but it would let light into the home. The Romans also began using windows architecturally. They were made using a sort of casting method. A bubble of molten glass was blown. The bubble would then either be swung around to form a cylinder that would be flattened, spun to shape a disc or pierced.

Sadly, this advancement in glass was lost when the Roman Empire fell. However, it is interesting to note that Cathedrals still had stained glass windows made from small pieces of glass. Ordinary people went back to using animal skin coverings or the more expensive option of thin layers of horn stuck together. The horn provided better insulation.

ADVANCEMENTS IN GLASS

Glassmaking was brought back in the Middle Ages. Since then, there have been significant advancements in the art. It wasn’t until the 17^th century that glassmaking made its way to America. Jamestown, Virginia was home to the first glass factory. The glass was made from a glass bubble that would be flattened, then reheated and cut into shapes.

A small homemade greenhouse. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

Next came crown glass. People made crown glass by blowing a sphere of molten glass that opened at the end of the blowpipe, which was spun to form a circular sheet. German innovation in 1834 brought a cylindrical method which resulted in larger sheets of glass.

The discovery of laminated glass was an accident. In 1903, French chemist Edouard Benedictus dropped a flask on the floor. The flask was coated in plastic cellulose nitrate, and when it dropped it shattered, but did not break. Since this discovery, windows have become safer.

MY THOUGHTS

Glass has such a full history I couldn’t fit it all in one post! It’s easy to forget about windows because we’re used to them being around today. It’s hard to imagine the dark buildings we’d have without them. A well-placed window can make a difference between a gloomy house and a cheery one. How do you feel about windows? Let me know in the comments!

CONCLUSION

Windows are a wonderful invention. They let us see the world without even going outside. Modern windows are practical, architectural, energy-efficient and even decorative. Making glass is an art form that should not be forgotten. Take a moment to try and imagine a world without them.

Flip-flop history

Every spring as the weather turns warm the heavy winter boots get put away and the flip-flops come out. The simple joy of having bare toes is a thrill after a long Canadian winter. The plain little shoes have a simple design and can found practically everywhere, but how did we get them in the first place? It’s time to find out!

EGYPT

While the modern flip-flop is relatively new, depictions of flip-flop-style shoes can be seen in Ancient Egyptian murals. These murals date back as far as 4000 B.C. The ancient footwear itself may have been around for much longer. These Egyptian shoes were made with layers of plant fibers including papyrus.

CULTURES AND TOES

A foot in a flip-flop. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

Egypt isn’t the only country to have a type of shoes that resemble ancient flip-flops. Ancient Greeks and Romans both wore them. The Greeks wore the strap between their first and second toes, while the Romans wore the strap between their second and third toes. In Ancient India, the Paduka was popular. The Paduka featured the use of a wooden peg instead of a strap between the wearer’s toes and small raised platforms around the heel and toes, elevating the sole of the shoe. China and Japan both also had their own variations of the footwear.

JAPAN AND AMERICA

Our modern flip-flops can be traced back to the Japanese Zori. Zoris are just one type of the many traditional sandals worn in Japan. They can be worn with Tabi, a type of black or white socks with separation between the big toe and other toes.

A colourful cloth flip-flop strap. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

Somehow, Zoris got to America where the modern flip-flop began to take shape. There are two main theories as to how this came about. The first and perhaps the most popular theory states that American soldiers brought Zoris home with them as souvenirs after World War 2. As the shoes gained popularity after the Korean War, manufacturers came up with a way to make them out of plastics and rubber, so they could be made in a more cost-effective and efficient manner.

The second theory states that during World War 2, Japan had gained control of many natural resources from Southeast Asia including rubber. In order to build up the economy, the Japanese began making a rubber version of their sandals. They sold them to westerners.

CONTROVERSY

If you thought it was impossible for flip-flops to spark controversy, you would be wrong! In 2005, the women’s lacrosse team from Northwestern University visited the White House. Some of the team members chose to wear flip-flops. A public debate broke out as to whether or not the footwear was appropriate.

A dirty flip-flop. Photograph bu Kirsten Jerry.

Some people just don’t like flip-flops. These sandals don’t usually provide much support for the wearer’s feet. Wearing flip-flops all the time could lead to foot problems. They are also not the most practical shoe, as I know from personal experience, since your foot can slide on them when they’re wet. If you’re like me, you also get blisters when wearing flip-flops with hard plastic straps (cloth straps are lifesavers). Some people just hate the flapping sound that these shoes were named for.

MY THOUGHTS

It is so interesting to me that many cultures around the world have used the same concept to create similar shoes. I guess it doesn’t matter where you are from, a good idea is still a good idea. I can’t help but wonder how the different cultures came up with almost the same idea. Flip-flops are one of my favourite types of shoes and I’m not alone! How do you feel about flip-flops? Let me know in the comments!

CONCLUSION

Flip-flops a small, but wonderful joy to wear after clomping around in boots all winter. The simple, lightweight design has been enjoyed by thousands throughout the centuries (with variations, of course). These little shoes have a rich history and are loved all around the globe. Not everyone likes flip-flops, but it doesn’t appear as though these shoes are going away any time soon. Whether they’re an annoyance or a joy to you, stop a minute to appreciate where flip-flops come from and all the work and history that goes into creating just one type of simple footwear.

History of crochet

Crochet is unique. It’s similar to knitting but uses one hook instead of multiple needles to create doilies, blankets, scarves and so on. Good quality wool isn’t hard to come by nowadays and hooks are easy to find.

Since people are spending more time at home these days, crochet is having a bit of a comeback. As I said, crochet is a unique craft. So how did it come to be? That question is difficult to answer.

WHO INVENTED IT?

Since crochet work is made out of yarn old samples are hard to come. The lack of examples makes it difficult for researchers and archeologists to say exactly where crochet started. However, there are three main theories as to where this craft began.

A hand embroidered tablecloth with crochet edging. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

Theory 1

Crochet was invented in Arabia. It spread east into Tibet and west into Spain. It also traveled to Mediterranean countries by following the Arab trade roots.

Theory 2

An unnamed (that is I was unable to find the tribe’s name while doing my research) South American tribe used the art of crochet. It is believed they used it for rituals involving puberty rites.

Theory 3

Crochet got its beginning as Chinese needlework. Early techniques for crochet are similar to those used in the needlework. Examples of this work include three-dimensional dolls.

DEVELOPMENT

There is evidence of crochet as far back as the 16^th century. Nuns were doing a sort of crochet work at the time. They used this art to make intricate textiles for the church. Some sources say the nuns were in Italy, others indicate they were in France or Spain.

Tambour is similar to embroidery or needlework. It uses fabric stretched over a frame like a drum, and a hook is used to pull thin threads through the fabric. Around the 1700s tambour arrived in Europe. Near the end of the 18^th century, people had ditched the fabric and frame, doing the stitching by itself. The French called this technique crochet in the air. The tambour hook was used for crochet until crochet hooks were invented.

The Irish Potato Famine was highly influential to crochet. Many Irish people made delicate crochet work to make money and create practical items. When they emigrated to America they brought their work with them.

Crocheted blanket on a dog bed. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

Crochet was used to make imitation lace and was not popular until Queen Victoria purchased some crochet lace from Irish craftswomen. Queen Victoria also learned the craft herself and it gained popularity. By the 1920s crochet began to be used for making full garments instead of just lace trimmings.

In the 1940s, American and British women crocheted items for soldiers as part of the war effort. After the war, crochet was used to make fashionable items in the 1950s and 1960s. Even today crochet can be seen as part of some designer clothing collections.

MY THOUGHTS

I think the old saying “Don’t fix want ain’t broke” applies to crochet. Some of the simpler stitches can be easy to learn (my sister picked it up quickly and made a few blankets). I think it’s also important to remember how much crafts like crochet can display the artistry of the creator.

A crocheted hot pad. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

Often when I think of crafts, I think of small children gluing beads on a page, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that. Crafts can be very complex, interesting and artistic. It’s important to remember that when considering a craft. Craftspeople are very talented.

I am not that crafty myself, so I’m not likely to get into crochet for very long at a time. Sadly, it can’t be for everyone. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed trying crochet but I’m not in love with it either. Does crochet sound like something you’d try? Let me know in the comments!

CONCLUSION

Crochet is an enduring craft. Throughout history, people all over the globe have been using crochet to make things they needed either to use or to sell. And they still are! The possibilities are almost limitless.

Wherever crochet originated, it’s still a useful and artistic skill to have. Crochet is an art that everyone can try. Taking up crochet is a way to continue, explore and evolve an ancient art and make something you’ll love while doing it.

The history behind the hoodie

Do you ever look at something and feel like it’s always been there? You can’t imagine that item not existing. It’s just so common, so normal! For me, that thing is a hoodie. I thought a hoodie was just a sweater. However, there is a lot more to it than that.

Hoodies are tied into the fabric of our culture, changing it and changing along with it. Believe it or not, hoodies have a deep symbolic history, and not always for good reasons. What makes something as simple as a sweater so significant? It’s time to find out!

BACK IN TIME

A woman wearing a hoodie. Photogrpah by Kirsten Jerry.

Imagery from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome depicts hooded garments. Similar imagery can be found from the Medieval Ages. 17th-century women wore hoods to sneak out and meet their lovers. Aside from these reasons, hoods have practical purposes in keeping the wearer warm and protected from the rain and wind.

Hoods also have a dark side. They are eerily associated with death. The Grim Reaper and executioners are depicted wearing hoods. This adds a sense of horror, mystery and fantasy to the image of a hood. I think these ancient hoods show us how long people have appreciated the use of a nice hood as part of their wardrobe.

The 1930S

The Knickerbocker Knitting Company, now known as Champion, is credited with creating the hooded sweatshirt in the 1930s. It’s important to note that they were not known as hoodies yet. It wouldn’t be until the 90s that the hooded sweatshirt would be relabeled as the hoodie.The garment was designed to keep athletes and outdoor workers warm.

THE 1970S TO 1990S

In the 70s hip-hop culture began to spread around the world. Hooded sweaters were coming along for the ride. Hoodies also became associated with crime. Graffiti artists, for example, would wear hoodies to hide their faces while tagging a building. Petty criminals would wear hoodies to hide their identities too.

The 1976 film Rocky connected hoodies with something else again. The hero of this film, Rocky Balboa, is often seen working out and training to accomplish his ultimate goal of becoming the heavyweight champion of the world in a grey hooded sweatshirt. Balboa’s work ethic associated hoodies with hard work and determination. The film made hooded sweatshirts iconic.

A Teddy Bear in a hoodie. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

Universities began putting their logos and school names on hooded sweaters. Designers also began to include the garment as part of their collections. Modern fashion designers are still including hoodies in their latest designs.

Hoodies were also popular with skateboarders, B-boys, and gangs. The association of hooded sweaters with gangs didn’t help their reputation. Despite the positive connections hooded sweatshirts had after Rocky, the rebellious and criminal connections remained.

TRAYVON MARTIN

In 2012 hoodies went from being an iconic clothing choice to a tragic one. African American 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was wearing a hoodie when murdered by George Zimmerman. The teen was unarmed when Zimmerman shot him, later claiming self-defense. The Million Hoodie March was one of many rallies held to protest against racial profiling and injustice in memory of Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman was finally convicted in 2013.

MY THOUGHTS

A hoodie draped on a chair. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

Before I began researching for this post, I thought the hoodie was just a harmless sweater. It was a fun accessory or a cozy clothing item. Sadly, that is not the case. The fact that someone could be killed for wearing a sweater is indescribably horrible. It’s a sweater. Anyone should be able to wear one anywhere they please, hood up or otherwise. How do you feel about hoodies? Are they good, bad, or neutral? Let me know in the comments!

CONCLUSION

The hoodie began as a simple garment intended to keep people warm. Over time it became an iconic clothing choice, then a symbol of tragedy, racial profiling and injustice. Yet the fact remains that hoodies are still sweaters. They’re clothing items. With this in mind I repeat, anyone should be able to wear one anywhere they please, hood up or otherwise. The way a person looks or where they live should not determine whether or not they can wear a warm and comfortable sweater. I urge you to search for ways to make hoodies safe for everyone, everywhere.

History of pencils

More often than not, writing today is done electronically. Yet, the humble pencil lives on. This simple writing tool has a complex history that spans countries and thrived even through war.

Pencils are commonly found in schools, homes and artist studios. They are very diverse including different types of pencils for different needs such as charcoal pencils, grease pencils and the typical number 2 pencils. This post is about how the common modern pencil came to be.

BEGINNINGS

At this point, early types of pens already existed. The first pencil was actually a paintbrush. It was made of fine camel hairs and used by artists.

In the early 16^th century, a large chunk of graphite was found in England. People didn’t know what the graphite was and believed it was a type of lead, so they called the newly discovered substance black lead or plumbago after the Latin word for lead. To this day we call the graphite in our pencils lead.

Pile of pencils. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

The graphite was cut into strips and used by farmers to mark their sheep. To prevent the sticks from breaking and to keep the user’s hands clean people wrapped the graphite in string or sheepskin. Soon people realized how useful the pencil would be as a writing tool. While quill pens were still popular, pencils didn’t spill ink or need ink refills and pencils were erasable.

People had figured out that they could use breadcrumbs to erase pencil marks. Eventually, it was discovered that rubber could be used. Then came the eraser but that’s a story for another day, perhaps.

AMERICA AND THE HEXAGON

Pencils weren’t imported in North America until the 18^th century. William Munroe made America’s first wooden pencils in 1812. In the 19^th century, Ebenezer Wood used a circular saw to make pencils, introducing the hexagonal (or even octagonal) shape.

Various pencils. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

There are many theories as to why this design remains popular. Some believe hexagonal pencils are more comfortable to hold. Others say the design stuck because hexagonal pencils don’t roll away like round ones. Still others believe manufacturers can make and package more pencils if they are hexagonal. Whatever the reason, the hexagon is still common today.

A NEW PROCESS

During the French Revolution and war with England, France couldn’t get imports of graphite from Britain or the lower quality substitute from Germany. Faced with this challenge, Nicholas-Jacques Conté discovered that he could make pencils by combining clay and powdered graphite and firing the mix in a kiln. This process is still used to make pencils today.

Conté found he could adjust the levels of clay and graphite for different levels of hardness and shade. Thus, the grading system was born. H stands for hardness; B stands for blackness and various numbers are used to indicate variations. H pencils have more clay, while B pencils have more graphite.

A NEW STYLE

Pencil eraser. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

In 1858, Hymen Lipman added erasers to the end of pencils. The design of pencils was changed forever. He sold his patent to Joseph Reckendorfer, but Reckendorfer was in for a bad surprise. A Supreme Court case called the patent invalid since it was just combining two known technologies: erasers and pencils. This meant that anyone could now make and sell pencils with erasers on the end.

MY THOUGHTS

Who doesn’t like a nice sharp pencil? Pens are indeed amazing but when your pen runs out of ink it’s nice to have a pencil around. I use pens more often, but I always try to have a few pencils on hand. It’s still nice to be able to erase your mistakes. Do you like pens or pencils more? Let me know in the comments!

CONCLUSION

The pencil may be a simple tool, but it has a complex history and many uses. A pencil can be used in artwork, writing, schoolwork, and scratching that one place on your back that you can’t reach. Today, many things can be done electronically, so the pencil can seem out of place.

Just remember that not all things can be done electronically. A lot of the best things in life are off-screen. If I were to guess, I’d say that’s one of the reasons the pencil still exists today.

Crazy idioms

Maybe I’ve lost my marbles, but I think it’s nuts that I say so many things without thinking about how those phrases came to be. In this post, I’ll be looking into theories about how some idioms began. Idioms about being crazy.

Before I begin, I want to mention that these idioms began as negative sayings. They are expressions about a person losing their sanity. However, I believe that these days the idioms I’m going to explain in this post should be used in a fun and loving way between family and friends. They should never be used to hurt or insult. Today, I’ll be explaining three of my favourite idioms about craziness. Okay, let’s begin.

NUTTY

As many of you are aware, ‘nuts’ isn’t reserved for craziness. The word ‘nut’ has had MANY changes in its alternative meanings (besides the actual food, that is) through the years. The Oxford Dictionary lists definitions of ‘nuts’ that range from instruments to metals to people.

Eventually, the word ‘nut’ changed to mean ‘head.’ The reason for this change is uncertain but there are a few theories. The first is that brains are inside the skull and considered more important than the skull itself. Brains were compared to how the edible part of a nut is inside a shell. The second theory is that both nuts and heads are hard. The third theory is that some people believed that nuts had a similar shape to a human head.

This idiom came around in the mid-19^th century. The phrase ‘off your head’ was popular at the time. As ‘nut’ began to mean ‘head’ the phrase changed into the idiom we know today. As you might expect there are many variations including simply calling someone ‘nuts’ or ‘nutty.’

FRUITCAKE

The idiom ‘nutty as a fruitcake’ has a simple origin. ‘Nutty as a fruitcake’ made its first appearance in the 1900s. Because literal fruitcakes have nuts in them, they became an extension of the ‘nuts’ or ‘nutty’ idiom. This seems obvious looking back since ‘nutty’ is the first word in this crazy idiom.

MARBLES

The phrase ‘Lost your marbles’ is from the 18^th century. Marbles was a popular game at the time and a child who lost them would be understandably upset. In one version of this game, the winners would keep the marbles used by the losing players. Losing marbles in this way sounds all the more upsetting than simply misplacing one’s playthings.

If a child loses a toy, they become upset and may frantically search for it. People also used to call their things ‘marbles’ as a perversion of the French word ‘meubles.’ I don’t know about you, but I get pretty upset when my stuff goes missing, especially if it’s something I need, or the item is important to me. So, the original meaning of the phrase ‘lost your marbles’ was to get upset or angry. Near the end of the 18^th century, it began to transition into meaning ‘crazy.’

Since a person’s stuff can be important to them, and brains are important, ‘marbles’ eventually came to mean a mind or brain. A comparison may have been made between someone getting upset over a lost item (child or otherwise) and an insane person. Thus ‘lost your marbles’ started to mean ‘lost your mind.’

MY THOUGHTS

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been feeling a bit out of my mind lately. (Guess why). I found that my favourite way of expressing this is to say, “I’ve lost my marbles!” I’m not sure why, but it makes me laugh. That’s the main reason I chose this topic. I figured everyone needed something fun and interesting to think about right now. What is your favourite crazy idiom? Let me know in the comments!

CONCLUSION

Who knew it took so much to be called crazy? Maybe I’m off my nut, but it seems to me that we should think about where our words come from now and then. It’s interesting to peek at the way language changes over time. It’s also important to pay attention to our words. We often can’t take them back. So, go ahead and use these crazy idioms but use them with care.

History of Dog Food

The purpose of this post is not to recommend a type of doggy diet, but to present some key facts about the past.

For years dogs were fed scraps from the table, but today we have specialized diets just for them. How did we go from giving our dogs any old thing, to feeding them special food? Before I begin, I have to warn you that some of this information is disturbing. I honestly felt a bit nauseous at times. Keep in mind that ideas about animals and their welfare were very different in the past.

BEFORE DOG FOOD

Dogs needed food before there was dog food. Roman philosopher and poet Marcus Terentius Varro wrote the first book on farming about 2,000 years ago. He advised giving farm dogs barley bread soaked in milk and bones of dead sheep.

Dry dog food. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

In Medieval Times, dogs were a status symbol. It was hard for people to feed themselves, let alone a pet. Yet, royal hounds often ate better than people! They enjoyed stews made of grains, vegetables and meats. Commoners’ dogs ate whatever their owners had for them; anything from cabbage to bones.

In the 1800s, farm dogs usually ate grain and lard. (Okay, here begins the gross stuff). Some people made their money by searching for dead horses in cities to then cut up and sell to wealthy dog owners as food for their dogs. Yum…

BISCUITS

In 1860, American electrician James Spratt went to London, England, to sell lightning rods. While he was there, he saw dogs waiting on the docks for sailors to throw hardtack biscuits to them. Spratt saw a business opportunity and he took it. (Not that dogs weren’t eating these biscuits before. Spratt was able to make a sturdy business on it, though).

He used a simple biscuit recipe and sold them for dogs. In the 1870s Spratt expanded his booming business to America. Spratt’s idea would bloom into a new industry.

CANS

Dog treats. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

Canned dog food arrived in 1922 in the U.S. and was popular for many years. Manufacturers often used horse meat, even going so far as to breed horses just to make dog food by around 1941. I thought the Medieval dead-horses-as-dog-food was gross, but this is much, much worse.

During World War 2, metal rationing stopped the production of cans, almost crippling dog food companies. They needed a new way to preserve dog food. The companies experimented with dry food. Eventually, they came up with a method similar to that of making breakfast cereal. People loved the dry dog food. It is still a popular choice today.

NEW IDEAS

As time went on, people began to question the use of horse meat and it was eventually removed from dog food. Companies struggled to replace horse meat with a nutritious alternative. People also became concerned about the health of their pets after thousands of pets died from a 2007 melamine outbreak. The Food Safety Modernization Act, passed in 2011, was the first safety law passed in 70 years for pet food.

Steve Brown, a pet food formulator, looked deeper into the nutrition of pet foods and found them lacking. In 1998, he came up with raw food diets. A trend (so to speak) that continues today.

MY THOUGHTS

Puppy food in a scoop. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

I think it’s obvious that the history of dog food is not a nice story. It begins with table scraps and fresh meat, goes into a get-rich-quick scheme, then through a kill-all-the-horses phase, followed by over-processing and now we are slowly returning to fresh meat. Does anyone else feel a bit lost?

Honestly, finding good pet food is HARD! There are so many claims and it’s hard to know which ones are legitimate. What is your strategy for picking pet food? Let me know in the comments!

CONCLUSION

Today there are still many questions about the health and meals of our pets. It can be hard to choose which meal is best with so many options available. The next time you buy dog food remember that once upon a time no one would have imagined doing what you’re doing! Dogs ate whatever was around and that was that. The story of dog food is also a great reminder not to turn a blind eye, and to stand up for the well-being of others, especially if they have no voice.

How did we get beds?

Today beds come in various sizes and materials. However, beds didn’t always exist. Someone had to make one before the innovations could begin. The innovations that would bring modern beds into our homes. So, how did we get the cozy beds we know today?

THE EARLIEST KNOWN BED

While an inventor cannot be named, people have been making beds for a long time. The earliest known bed (well, a mattress really) is roughly 77, 000 years old. It was discovered in a cave in South Africa. The bed is made of plant materials with bug-repelling leaves and grasses as bedding.

THE ANCIENTS

Mattress topper. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

Ancient Egyptians gave the world raised beds (along with many other things). With the bed raised off the ground pests like mice, snakes and bugs couldn’t crawl (or slither) over the mattress. The beds were made of a wooden platform, often with a carved headrest.

Wealthy Ancient Romans slept on beds made of a raised metal frame with metal supports and feather or wool stuffed mattresses. The less fortunate slept on beds with wooden frames and wool strings to hold the mattress. The poorest people slept on the floor with just a straw mattress.

BEDS OF STATUS – MEDIEVAL TIMES AND THE RENAISSANCE

While others had already had different beds for different classes, it certainly showed in Medieval beds. Rich people used beds to show off their wealth. The beds were usually made of heavy wood and raised off the floor. Some were raised so high that the sleeper needed a step stool to get in.

This period saw the creation of four-poster beds. These beds were covered in heavy canopies and velvet drapes, which kept drafts and insects off the sleeper. The mattresses were thick, stuffed with feathers and covered in fine linen sheets. Being so expensive, these beds became family heirlooms passing to the next generations.

Teddy Bear on a bed. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

Peasants, on the other hand, used bags stuffed with hay as mattresses. These mattresses were placed on the floor or on a simple platform. Their large beds could accommodate the whole family, but since peasants had small houses the beds would double as tables or a sitting area during the day. They used rough woolen blankets.

During the Renaissance, the poorest people still slept on a hay mattress either on the floor or raised on a simple platform. Middle-class people commonly used four-poster beds and even had a separate room just for the bed. Yes, the bedroom was catching on! Trundle beds were commonly used by family members or servants.

Four-poster beds grew even fancier, featuring ornate carvings, coloured trim, and inlaid paintings. The beds had heavy draperies on all sides. Ropes supported the over-stuffed feather mattress, which was covered with wool blankets and linen sheets. Once again, these opulent beds were passed down through the family.

GETTING BEDS FOR ALL

Springs for mattresses were invented in the 1800s. The springs added support and comfort for the sleeper. As usual, the Industrial Revolution helped make this now-commonplace item affordable and available to everyone through mass production.

MY THOUGHTS

Recently, I made a post about the history of pillows and it got me thinking about beds. At first, I thought it would be too similar to the history of pillows. As I researched though, I realized that while the two do have similarities beds have a history all their own. Which is more interesting to you, the history of pillows or of beds? Let me know in the comments!

CONCLUSION

The cozy beds we have today may not have been around since the dawn of time but that makes them all the more special. Today beds come in a variety of materials, shapes, and sizes. As you lay down on your chosen bed for the night, think about what it must’ve been like to sleep without one. As you drift off to sleep, imagine how people must’ve felt as they slept in the world’s very first beds.

Mattress on a box spring. Photograph by Kirsten Jerry.

While you’re at it, spare a thought or two for someone who needs a bed and doesn’t have one. Let’s not forget those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Think how it must be to sleep on the ground in the cold heart of winter.