Archive for the ‘History’
The First Known Robot Was Created Around 400 BC and Was a Mechanical Bird
Today I found out the first known robot was created around 400-350 BC by the mathematician Archytas and was a steam powered pigeon.
Archytas, who coincidently is known as the “father of mechanical engineering”, constructed his bird out of wood and used steam to power the movements of the robot. This bird was then suspended from a pivot [...]
The Snickers Candy Bar was Named After a Favorite Horse of Creator Frank Mars in 1930
Today I found out the Snickers candy bar was named after one of Frank Mars’ favorite horses. Frank Mars was the creator of the Snickers candy bar and founder of Mars, Inc, originally called Mar-O-Bar Co., which is currently the 6th largest privately held company in the world with annual sales of around 21 billion [...]
Duct Tape was Originally Named “Duck” Tape and Came in Green, Not Silver
Today I found out Duct tape was originally named “Duck” tape and originally only came in green, not silver.
Duct tape was originally invented by Johnson & Johnson’s Permacel division during WWII for the military. The military specifically needed a waterproof tape that could be used to keep moisture out of ammunition cases. This is why [...]
In 1842, Ada Lovelace Wrote the World’s First Computer Program
Today I found out that Ada Lovelace was the world’s first computer programmer all the way back in the mid-1800s, writing the world’s first computer program in 1842. She was also an accomplished mathematician, which was obviously quite rare for women in the era she lived.
Lovelace was the only legitimate daughter of Lord Byron, though [...]
Dr Pepper is the Oldest Major Soft Drink in the United States
Today I found that Dr Pepper is the oldest major soft drink, that is still being produced, in the United States; now over 125 years old.
In 1885, in the frontier town of Waco Texas (nicknamed “six-shooter junction”), a pharmacists by the name of Charles Alderton worked at the “Old Corner Drug Store” owned by Wade [...]
‘Uncle Sam’ was a Real Person
Today I found out that ‘Uncle Sam’ was a real person, Samuel Wilson, born September 13th, 1766 and died on July 31st, 1854.
In 1789, Wilson and his brother Ebeneezer moved to Troy New York where they set up a counting house; Sam Wilson later died, then came back to haunt Ebeneezer on Christmas Eve trying [...]
The Origins of the LOLCat Meme
Today I found out the origins of the lolcat meme. It turns out, the oldest known reference to an lolcat style picture/caption dates all the way back to 1903 from photographer Harry Whittier Frees who would take photos of small animals, including cats, dressed up in various outfits. These photos were then often sold in [...]
A Japanese Soldier Who Continued Fighting WWII 29 Years After the Japanese Surrendered, Because He Didn’t Know
Today I found out about a Japanese soldier who continued fighting World War II a full 29 years after the Japanese surrendered, because he didn’t know the war was over.
Hiroo Onoda is a Japanese citizen that originally worked at a Chinese trading company. When he was 20 years old, he was called to join the [...]
How Valentine’s Day Got Started
Today I found out how Valentine’s Day got started. It was all a huge conspiracy jointly popularized by the diamond company De Beers; Hallmark; and the collective might of gourmet chocolate manufacturers the world over … Ok, not really, but it certainly worked out for them didn’t it??? Didn’t it!?!?!?!?
Really though, it actually [...]
Where the Dollar Sign Comes From
Today I found out where the dollar sign ($) comes from. This symbol first showed up in the 1770’s appearing in documents of English-Americans who had business dealings with Spanish-Americans. However, it wasn’t until the very early 1800’s that it became popularized, around the same time the first official U.S. dollars were being minted, though [...]
