Scalpels, Oil Paints, British Police Helmets & Ice Axels
A scalpel's short blade is razor-sharp and designed to slice swiftly and cleanly. This little knife may seem like a simple instrument, but its incredible precision—along with a surgeon's steady hands—is key to a safe and accurate medical procedure.
Meanwhile, oil paint pigments come from natural sources, though most are synthetically-made. Cuttlefish ink yields brown pigment, lead produces a specific yellow, and mercury ore makes red. In the past, pigments have also come from stones, tree bark, plant gum, ground-up glass, and even arsenic!
Then, British Bobbies are used to standing tall—their helmets have looked the same for a century and a half.
And finally—when it comes to mountain climbing, the ice axe is a fundamental tool. They were invented in the mid 19th century to help mountaineers get a grip on slippery slope, and are designed for peak performance!
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Bacon, Snowblowers & Luxury Cars
Bacon's popularity actually goes back centuries, to the days when people cured and smoked meats in their own homes. But today, a quick trip to the store, and anyone can bring home the bacon.
Then, snowblowers first came on the market in the 1950s and before long, this alternative to shoveling really took off. Today's machines come in a range of sizes, from smaller models with 26 CC engines, to 50-CC machines three feet wide for ploughing through even the deepest snow!
And finally—if you have a Rolls Royce, you may also have a chauffeur ... and a pretty big bank account. Since the company's inception in 1906, Rolls Royce has been going the extra mile when it comes to perks and performance.
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Automatic Transmissions, Silver Miniatures, Hot-Air Balloon Baskets & Darts
Your car's all-important transmission is a system of gears and levers that transfers power from the engine to the wheels. With a manual transmission, you have to shift the gears yourself. But with an automatic transmission, the car's computer determines when it's time to shift and sends an electronic signal to activate or deactivate the appropriate gear.
Meanwhile, collecting and displaying miniatures has become a serious hobby for grownups, who even buy fine silver in miniature. Avid collectors spare no expense because after all, it's the little details that make the difference, and silversmiths use tools and techniques that have been handed down over generations.
Then, did you know that some hot-air balloon baskets are more than 20 feet long, and can carry over 30 people? This pioneering form of human flight was invented in France in the late 1700s and ever since then, passengers have been taking to the skies for an unforgettable ride.
And finally—the game of darts dates back to the Middle Ages, when English soldiers, looking for fun, began pitching arrows at the bottom of an empty barrel. When winter came, the soldiers moved their game indoors. But they couldn't throw big arrows around inside, so they used shortened versions ... and the game was on.
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