The History of Ordinary Things: The Roulette Wheel

The roulette wheel is a spinning horizontal wheel divided into 38 or 39 numbered and colored slots.

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The Armistice Day Blizzard Rocked the Nation

Nov. 11 is Armistice Day (called Veterans Day in the United States), the date in 1918 that marked the end of World War I.

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Dear Pharmacist: The Dark Side of Medicine

This month, I will explore the dark and disturbing history of medical treatments. While these methods may seem shocking and gruesome by today’s standards, they were once considered cutting-edge solutions.

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The History of Ordinary Things: Writing Tools over Time

In the Western world from the sixth to 19th centuries, most writing instruments were “quills” made from the large wing feathers of geese, swans, and later turkeys.

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What to Know about September

Summer is over, school has started, and the leaves are starting to turn.

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The History of Ordinary Things: Opening Cans over Time

The can opener has its own unique history, but first: the can, which arrived in the late 1700s without a means of opening it.

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The History of Ordinary Things: Feathers in Fashion

We aren’t the first to wear feather accessories!

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The Last Word in Hucksterism

Motorists zooming between Los Angeles and Las Vegas today will pass a highway sign announcing a turnoff at Zzyzx (ZY-zix) Road.

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The (Sort of) True Origin of a Treat

Americans love hot dogs. Every year we eat about 7 billion of them between Memorial Day and Labor Day alone. And the typical American eats about 60 a year.

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