Ten Facts About Everyday Objects

Aluminum foil.
aluminum foil is not made from 100% illuminum. It is made from aluminum alloys which contain trace elements of nickel iron and silicone. It starts out in aluminum ingots called pigs. Next, it is rolled and pressed until it reaches the desired thickness. Then it is cut to the desired size specification. It was first produced in France in 1903 and is now a product that has reached every corner of the globe with the estimated consumption amount to be over 6 million tons annually.

Glass.
Glass is a liquid, – almost. Glass cannot be classified as a solid nor a liquid. Instead it is called an amorphous solid. This means that it is missing the important ordered  design of a solid but its structure is too rigid to be a liquid. Glass is made from silica or sand and colors are made by adding certain minerals to molten glass. For example, purple is created with magnesium and blue can be achieved with cobalt.

High heels.
The popular primarily female footwear was originally made for the opposite sex. Yes indeed, they were invented by a man and for the needs of men. It is believed that long ago when sewer systems were non-existent and waste would run along the streets, these nifty shoes were used to keep your feet higher than the filth.

YKK zipper
Everyone has something in their house that has a zipper on it. Whether it’s clothing, shoes, or bags we have all seen the YKK logo. What does it mean? The initials YKK stand for Yoshida Kōgyō Kabushiki gaisha (吉田工業株式会社, lit. “Yoshida Manufacturing Corporation”). It is the largest zipper manufacturer in the world.

Napkins.
The first napkins were used by the Greek, it was a type of bread used to clean their fingers. The Romans frequently used two napkins, a smaller one and 6 inches and another about 18 inches. Both served different purposes and instilled different etiquettes. $964,450 is the highest price ever recorded being paid for a napkin.

Alarm Clocks
Long ago before electricity was a common commodity, people would stick nails strategically into a candle for an alarm clock. As the candle burned, the wax melted and wound down to the nails. Each one would fall on the metal candle holder below, starling the person to awakeness. Other methods used in the past were window knockers. People would pay individuals to knock on their window or throw a pebble to wake them at certain times.

Toothbrush.
The toothbrush we know today was invented in 1938. Archaeologists have found many different forms of toothbrushes around the world. Some were known to use animal hairs for bristles and bones for handles, others used frayed twigs and branches. Today most manufacturers use nylon bristles with 100s of different variations and options.

Salt.
Salt has origins that can be traced back to the beginning of mankind. It has always held some kind of value throughout history and in every country in the world. It has been used as currency many times in human history and will continue to be important to everyday society. There are 13 different salts that are edible, each one offering a unique flavor and mineral content.

Pillow.
Each person has their preference on the firmness of their pillow. Some like a firm hard pillow and some want a soft plush one. Regardless of the feel, all humans seem to find comfort in a pillow. Whether it’s the stone pillows from the elite of Egypt or the wooden Japanese pillows, they can be traced back to over 9000 years ago. 

Mouthwash.
The common household brand Listerine was originally invented to clean floors and as an antiseptic after surgery. The first patent for mouth wash was submitted in the 1800’s. Different versions of mouthwash can be traced back to ancient times. Several reliable texts document using things such as salt and vinegar, goats milk, and concoctions of different herbs.