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Things we use
Trace the fascinating origins of tools, inventions, and objects we use every day.
23 Articles
Things we use
Flatbreads and The Evolution of Pizza
Pizza is beloved worldwide, but its roots stretch back thousands of years to ancient flatbreads topped with oils, cheese, and herbs. A delicious journey through culinary history.
Things we use
Measuring The Historical Yard
Before standardized measurement, kingdoms used body parts as units. The yard was once literally the length of a king's arm. Explore the chaotic world of historical measurement.
Things we use
Ancient Medicines Lost for 1000 Years
The fall of Rome didn't just end an empire — it buried centuries of medical knowledge. Discover which ancient remedies were lost to history and how some were rediscovered.
Things we use
The Origin and Invention of Paper
Paper changed the world. Invented in ancient China over 2,000 years ago, this revolutionary material transformed communication, governance, art, and the spread of knowledge.
Things we use
The Surprising Origin of Jeans
Blue jeans are a global fashion staple, but their origins trace back to Genoese sailors, California gold miners, and Levi Strauss's practical innovation in the 1870s.
Things we use
Shining Light on Dark Streets
In the absence of a full moon the streets of ancient cities were pitch dark with almost no visibility. Muggers, thieves, and assassins thrived at night thanks to their ability to hide and surprise the
Things we use
The Ancient History of Tooth Replacement
Toothache is considered one of the worst pain we can suffer and most of us know how horrible it can be. In the past there were not many choices when toothache became so intolerable to limit even the m
Things we use
Who Invented the First Sword?
The sword. A blunt weapon that for millenia has been used to conquer, defend, kill and to show power and status. Who invented it? How did it come about? Was it found in different parts of the world at
Things we use
The Extraordinary Origin of Deodorants
Perspiration and body odor are not a modern day exclusive. We often think that people in the past “were just used to certain odors” more than we are today. Probably true, but a bad smell is still unpl
Things we use
Where Does the Violin Come From?
Percussions, wind and string instruments have been around for a long time in the pursuit of entertaining people with music. The story of the violin is long and crosses many continents, although the vi
Things we use
Where Does Spaghetti Come From? No, Not China
There are tons of stories around the origin of spaghetti that we all know and love. A common legend tells of the Venetian Marco Polo bringing spaghetti from China. Well, think again. That legend has b
Things we use
Where Do Wedding Rings Come From?
There are so many things that we use and believe without knowing its origins. Why is it traditional for married couples to wear a gold ring on their annular finger? Where does the tradition come from?
Things we use
Where and When Were Pants Invented?
To many it might seem that “pants” or “trousers” are a common logical piece of clothing. Yet, have you ever seen a Greek Philosopher, a Roman Emperor, or an Egyptian Pharaoh wearing them? Where do the
Things we use
When Were The First Eyeglasses Invented?
If you wear vision glasses chances are you probably wondered how miserable life must have been without eyeglasses. Well, you were right. Vision problems have been around much longer than eyeglasses fo
Things we use
Who Invented The Wheel 5,500 years ago?
The Wheel is one of those human designed objects that doesn’t even seem like an invention. It simply feels like they have always been around, but they actually haven’t. The term itself “reinventing th
Things we use
When Did We Start Using Candles?
Candles as we know them are not an ancient invention. The dark nights for many millennia were made brighter by fires and oil lamps before the candle came to “light”. There are historians that assume t
Things we use
Where do Pretzels Really Come From?
The crisscross-shaped pretzels are often associated with Danish, Scandinavian, or German treats. They did, however, not originate in northern Europe.
Things we use
When Were Fizzy Drinks Invented?
Fizzy (carbonated) drinks–whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic–have been around since humans learned about the fermentation of foods. Every region on earth has produced some sort of fizzy, fermented dri
Things we use
When Did We Start Using Glass Windows?
We take windows for granted. Windows protect us from the cold, keep the warm or cool air inside our homes, and buffer noise. But glass windows have not been the norm throughout history. How long have
Things we use
Pedestrian Crossing, a 20th Century solution, or not?
Not the whole picture According to site like Wikipedia and other historical sites, pedestrian crossing or Zebra crossing lines are a modern invention. But are they really? Basically, NO! Cars and new
Things we use
I just broke a Mirror! 7 Years of Bad Luck.. why?
Breaking a mirror is often associated with one of the worst event that could happen to a superstitious person. But why? When did this belief start? Why exactly 7 years of bad luck? The first Mirrors T
Things we use
When Did We Start Sitting Down on a Chair?
The First Chair – A Symbol When did we as humans start to rest our bodies on a chair? Chairs have not always been a common item. In fact for centuries, a chair meant one thing, the symbol of power – T
Things we use
Why Do We Use Forks and Who Invented Them?
For thousands of years and even now in certain cutlures, the natural eating instruments were the fingers. Forks were adopted much later than the spoon and the knife. In fact, in comparison they are ne