Nowadays whiteboards (or dry erase boards) are common. The boards have several uses. They are used to take notes, teach in classrooms or sometimes as calendars. Yet, these useful boards did not always exist. So, who invented whiteboards and how did they become the well-known tool that we have today? BEFORE WHITEBOARDS Before the inventionContinue reading “Who invented whiteboards?”
Category Archives: Everyday things
History of Pillows
Pillows can be found in practically every home. Even if you don’t sleep with a pillow, there are likely decorative cushions somewhere in your home. I use pillows all the time. However, the fluffy pillows we all know and love weren’t always around. In fact, I’m not sure we’d agree to call the first pillows,Continue reading “History of Pillows”
History of the New Year’s Eve Ball
New Year’s Eve is the only time when dropping the ball is considered a good thing. Each December 31st a ball is dropped in Times Square in New York on the last minute before the new year, landing at midnight. Of all the things we could do to celebrate, why drop a ball? Why notContinue reading “History of the New Year’s Eve Ball”
Why do we eat turkey for Christmas?
Every year for Christmas my family enjoys a large Christmas feast with a turkey and all the trimmings. For years I ate the traditional festive meal without considering the history behind it. In this post, I’m exploring the origins of the Christmas turkey. There is a lot more to the Christmas bird than I originallyContinue reading “Why do we eat turkey for Christmas?”
Who invented the printing press?
The common answer is Johannes Gutenberg. However, Gutenberg did not invent printing. In fact, Gutenberg’s press used preexisting technology. The REAL question is, how did we get to Gutenberg and why does he get all the credit? Let’s find out. WOODBLOCKS In China (and other Asian countries) printers used carved woodblocks to print. It wasContinue reading “Who invented the printing press?”
How did we get pens?
I don’t know about you, but I use a pen every week. Even it’s just to take a note from a phone call, a pen is a useful tool. Pens have been around for centuries, but it took a while for them to become the pens we all recognize. REEDS AND FEATHERS The Egyptians usedContinue reading “How did we get pens?”
Why are Poppies the flower of remembrance?
On Remembrance Day we set aside time to remember fallen soldiers who gave their lives for our freedom. The poppy symbolizes how we respect and remember those who died for our freedom. But why a Poppy and not a Carnation or a Daisy? The story is a common one by now, but no less important.Continue reading “Why are Poppies the flower of remembrance?”
Why do we have Jack-O-Lanterns?
Halloween is a popular holiday full of candy, monsters and fun. There are many traditions for this familiar holiday such as trick-or-treating, going to parties, wearing costumes and carving pumpkins. For this post I’m going to focus on the beloved pumpkin; a delicious fall treat and spooky Halloween decoration all rolled into one. Why doContinue reading “Why do we have Jack-O-Lanterns?”
How did we get plastic?
Today, plastic is everywhere. We use it to hold everything from bleach to food and build things, like cars. However, things used to be different. The only plastics available were ones that occurred in nature, such as cellulose in plants. While we use the word ‘plastic’ to refer to the synthetic plastics we use soContinue reading “How did we get plastic?”
Why do we have colouring books?
Colouring is a fun and simple hobby. It requires no training, travels well, and can be enjoyed by anyone at practically any age. While the adult colouring craze has taken off in more recent years, these books (or pages) have been around much longer than that. In fact, it all began as education for richContinue reading “Why do we have colouring books?”
Ever Wondered...? 