Boomerangs, Barbecues, Pinball Machines & Strobe Lights
The boomerang is a throwback to primitive times. Back then, people threw sticks to hunt, and that's likely how they discovered that certain bent sticks would circle back. Boomerangs have come a long way since then, and are now works of art.
Meanwhile, the barbecue's origins are clouded in a bit of a smoky haze. But it's believed that native Caribbeans were the first to cook this way. Today, people still love a good cookout, but now we have better equipment.
Then, before video games, the pinball machine reigned supreme. As your flippers send the silver sphere flying, the machine comes to life with flashing lights and clanging bells. No wonder it's not yet "Game Over" for pinball!
And finally—strobe lights often conjure up images of discos, but you also find them on aircraft wings, in police lights, and on towers and tall buildings, to warn low-flying aircraft.
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Tires, Cheesecake, Canoe Paddles & Globes
Solid rubber tires are designed to conquer the toughest turf, the kind of rough terrain found at construction sites, landfills and mining operations. Even with a dozen nails sticking out of them, these big boys just keep on turning.
Meanwhile, people associate cheesecake with New York, but actually, it comes from Greece! The Roman conquest spread the dessert across Europe. And many centuries later, European immigrants brought it to North America.
Then, canoe paddles have been around so long, no one knows who invented them. Made with sophisticated craftsmanship, today's wooden paddles really go the nautical mile.
And finally—at the globe factory, production revolves around world events. As war and political upheaval redraw boundaries, these spherical maps have to be constantly revised.
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Wooden Bowl, Chainsaws, Stackable Potato Chips & Jet Compressor Blades
Today, with so much mass-produced tableware, handcrafted wooden bowls have become a specialty item, and this centuries-old, traditional craft is practically a lost art.
Meanwhile ... it's loud. it's powerful ... and it rules the forest. The chainsaw has revolutionized the logging industry, by replacing simple muscle power with mechanical might!
Then, unlike other chips that come in irregular shapes and sizes, stackable potato chips have a uniform concave shape that allows them to tightly interlock—and fit neatly in a tubular container.
And finally—jet compressor blades made of titanium compress the air in front of an engine's turbo chamber. In the back of the chamber, smaller blades made of a nickel alloy compress it even more. The air heats up to more than a thousand degrees, then combines with jet fuel creating a powerful mix that explodes out the back of the engine.
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Steel Wool, Ranges, Carved Candles & Slot Machines
With so many rough edges, steel wool is very abrasive—that's what makes it so useful for heavy-duty cleaning and other chores. By the early part of the 20th century, equipment was invented to mass-produce the stuff, and steel wool became a household name!
Meanwhile, the range is where we whip together meals—baked, broiled, roasted, or sautéed. The construction of a high-end range starts with a big sheet of galvanized steel.
Then, carving candles is an old German craft still practised by artisans. It involves layering different-colored wax, then carving designs to expose those luminous colors.
And finally—a San Francisco car mechanic invented the first slot machine in 1895. Its heavy, cast-iron cabinet housed three spinning reels. Each one had 20 playing-card symbols and an image of the Liberty Bell. If you were lucky enough to line up three bells in a row, you won the big jackpot—FIFTY CENTS!
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CCD Semiconductors, Airline Meals, Paper Cups & Trumpets
A CCD semiconductor is the image sensor in a digital camera or camcorder. When you snap the shutter or press record, you expose the CCD to patterns of light. It captures them electronically by converting them into millions of electrical charges. The camera's processor then reads these charges and translates them into pictures or movies.
Meanwhile, not all food fares well at high altitudes. That's why you don't see any soufflés at 30,000 feet. It's just one of the restrictions airline chefs need to consider when preparing a menu.
Then, the paper cup was invented around the turn of the 20th century to stop the spread of disease. Paper cups provide a convenient and hygienic way to serve food and beverages. And where would we be without our coffee cups?
And finally—the ancestor of the modern trumpet was a straight horn that could emit just a few notes. But by the 15th century, the instrument makers learned how to bend the horn allowing for more notes to be produced.
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Padlocks, Hair Clippers, Wooden Shoes & Synthetic Leather
Padlocks date back to Roman times, and were likely first used to protect cargo in transit. Thousands of years later, the padlock continues to keep burglars at bay.
Meanwhile, the electric hair clipper was invented in 1919. It was the first clipper with a motor in the actual unit, allowing the barber to cut hair at quite a clip.Hairstyles may change, but this device is still on the cutting edge.
Then, call them the poor man's answer to the rubber boot. Centuries ago, farmers chipped out holes in wooden blocks to keep their feet dry. Over the years, the blocks were refined into inexpensive but durable footwear. Today, they're most commonly associated with the history and tradition of the Netherlands. How they're made remains as basic as the shoe itself.
And finally—is it really leather? It may not be the genuine article, plenty of good-looking products are made from pleather.
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Racing Shells, Stainless Steel Links, Leather & Pedal Steel Guitars
The racing shell is a high tech rowboat that's built for speed. Long and exceptionally narrow, it's designed to cut through wave drag and leave the competition in its wake.
Meanwhile, the stainless steel sink is an invention born of patriotism. Before WWII, sinks were often made from a copper/nickel material called "monel". But when that material was needed for the war, stainless steel was drafted for use on the home front ... and it's still on kitchen duty to this day.
Then, leather production dates back to primitive times, when humans rubbed fats into animal skins to preserve them. Times have changed but leather endures. From footwear to furniture, this tough material remains an integral part of our lives.
And finally—playing the pedal steel guitar takes quite a lot of skill. You slide a steel bar up and down the strings as you pluck them, while operating a system of pedals and knee levers below. This means using both hands, both feet, and both knees. But a pedal steel guitar's unique sound is worth the effort.
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Swords, Pontoons, Grandfather Clocks & Fuses
For thousands of years, wars were won and lost by the sword. Today, modern artisans craft historical replicas of these age-old weapons, and they go to the hilt to make sure the details are just right.
Meanwhile, ... party barge ... floating bridge ... luxury raft. Just some of the many functions of pontoon boats. While their basic design hasn't changed much over the years, new materials have made pontoons bigger, sleeker, sturdier, and faster.
Then, invented centuries ago, grandfather clocks run on gravity. When you wind the clock, weights inside are drawn upwards. Gravity then pulls the weights down gradually, unwinding the cables and turning the hands of the clock.
And finally—fuses are designed to blow whenever there's a power overload. This stops the flow of electricity and prevents a wiring fire. We may never see fuses in action, but they're constantly working to protect us, wherever electrical current flows.
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Bumpers, Lighting Gels and Camera Filters, Steam-Powered Models & Candy Canes
With all the attention we pay to our cars' high-tech parts, it's easy to overlook the importance of the bumper. But about 80 percent of car accidents are front or rear collisions.
Meanwhile, gels and filters can turn a bad scene into a beautiful one. They're used in theater productions to enhance the mood on stage, and also in film and photography. They're called "gels" because they used to be made of gelatin film. But today, they're made out of transparent polyester!
Then, when factories build live steam models, they're reconstructing history. These working steam models take us on a nostalgic journey, and they're fun for hobbyists of all ages.
And finally—in the 17th century, a German choirmaster had some sugar sticks bent into shepherds' crooks as a special treat for his choir. And that's how the candy cane is believed to have been invented. But it wasn't until more than a century later that they earned their stripes!
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Umbrellas, Outboard Motors, Silver Cutlery & Tape Measures
The umbrella about 1,700 years ago in ancient China. Since then, it's evolved from the original parasol, to the modern-day collapsible canopy.
Meanwhile, outboard marine motors come in a variety of sizes and horsepowers. They can run on gas, diesel or electricity. And they can provide power for a quiet day of fishing ... or an exhilarating offshore drag race!
Then, cutlery dates back to the Stone Age—some 300,000 years ago. Prehistoric people made the first cutlery from splinters of stone, shells, horn, and wood chips. During the Bronze Age, humans found a better material ... metal.
And finally—a popular tool in any utility closet, the spring-driven retractable tape measure was invented in the middle of the 19th century, but it didn't really become popular until the 1940s. Today, any handyman without one just doesn't measure up.
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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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