Publisher's Synopsis
Have you ever wondered where our everyday customs come from? How modern-day conveniences were invented? How ordinary objects got their names? From soap to cinema, from gadgets to gold, and from caring for pet cats to throwing confetti, "Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things" tells the intriguing, entertaining and astonishing stories behind the objects around us. Discover how smoking was first recommended as a cure for disease and why the sandwich is named after John Montagu, the Earl of Sandwich. You'll also be amazed at just how long some of our 'modern' conveniences have been around. For example, did you know that the safety pin was invented in the 2nd millennium BC or that the first lawn mowers were produced in 1832? If you are hungry for information or just plain curious, this enthralling compilation will provide hours of reading that's full of surprises.
