Product Origins Archives

The Origin of Graham Crackers

Were graham crackers named for a man who believed unhealthy diet led to sexual excess?

Cocktails Came Out of Prohibition?

A long-running claim that cocktails were an entirely American invention appears to be something of...

The Origins of FedEx

Did the idea behind FedEx earn that company's founder a failing mark while he was...

Potato Chip Origin Were potato chips invented thanks to a cook's momentary fit of pique?

Stethoscope Invention Was the stethoscope invented thanks to a doctor's modesty?

Brassiere and Otto Titzling Was the brassiere invented by Otto Titzling?

Play-Doh Origins Play Doh started out as a wallpaper cleaner?

Life Without Black People List of technological innovations brought about by African-American inventors.

Monkee Mike Nesmith and Liquid Paper Did Monkee Mike Nesmith's mother invent Liquid Paper?

Cabbage Patch Dolls Were Cabbage Patch dolls designed to resemble what people will look like after a nuclear...

Champagne Glass Origin Were champagne glasses modeled on Marie Antoinette's breasts?

Botts’ Dots How Botts' Dots, the rounded raised markers on California roads, came to be invented.