Common items in our lives have strange and perhaps eye-opening stories. Whether it’s about how they are used or where they came from, the hidden stories behind these items can either inspire you or spark your curiosity even more.
1. Unclog drains with coffee.
To unclog drains, combine coffee grounds with dish soap and boiling water. Combine the coffee grounds and soap, pour the combination down the drain, and then pour a lot of boiling water thereafter.
2. Bubble wrap was invented to be used as wallpaper.
Alfred Fielding and his business partner Marc Chavannes created bubble wrap for the first time as wallpaper in 1957. When it didn’t work out, it was promoted as insulation for greenhouses. It wasn’t until 1960 that people realized bubble wrap was the ideal material for securing fragile things.
3. Holes in Converse sneakers allow air to keep feet cool.
The extra holes on the side of a Converse sneaker are there to provide ventilation and allow air to circulate, preventing your feet from getting sweaty. Another purpose is for you to get creative in lacing them up.
4. Popsicles were invented by an 11-year-old.
Bay Area, unintentionally created this summertime treat back in 1905. He had left a mixture of water and sweet soda powder out overnight. Because of the chilly night, the mixture froze. The next day, Epperson licked the iced mixture off the wooden stirrer. Incorporating his name with the word “icicle,” he dubbed it a “Epsicle” and began selling it in his area.
5. Soccer balls were once used in basketball.
Basketball was created by Dr. James Naismith in 1891, but it took another 3 years for the sport to have its own ball. A soccer ball was used by early basketball players, who threw it into peach baskets that were suspended from half-bushels at either end of the gym.
6. Dark chocolate can prevent tooth decay.
Studies have shown that dark chocolate helps fight cavities, plaque, and tooth decay. It’s also a good source of polyphenols, which are natural chemicals that prevent oral bacteria.
7. Margins in notebooks were made for rats to chew on.
The margins of notebook paper weren’t originally intended to provide room for writing notes. Rats and mice, which used to be prevalent home pests, were a problem, thus margins were created to protect the text printed on the paper from them. The margins prevented them from gnawing away at the valuable work that was written on the pages because they like to nibble on paper.
8. Put tea bags in shoes to get rid of smells.
Moisture filled with bacteria is what causes shoe odor. Tea bags are incredibly absorbent, so they dry up the unpleasant smell that frequently lingers and swap it out for a fresh herbal aroma.
9. Eating cucumber slices can reduce bad breath.
Vegetables, like cucumbers, have a high water content and are excellent for fighting foul breath. Water keeps the tongue from becoming dry and removes any extra, undesired food residue that may remain after eating.
10. Pretzels used to be a symbol of love.
It’s been recorded that around 1614, royal couples in Switzerland used pretzels to seal the bonds of matrimony during their wedding ceremonies, and this practice symbolizes the expression of “tying the knot.”
11. Drowning is nothing like we imagine.
The way people drown in real life differs from how they seem on-screen. While someone is drowning, they seldom shout, they are unable to thrash their arms around, and they normally only float or sink at the surface for a short period of time, frequently gasping before going down.
