90 Everyday Object Facts - Inventions, Design & Brand Stories

Inventions

The modern ballpoint pen was invented in 1938 by László Bíró, a Hungarian journalist who was frustrated with fountain pens that smudged easily.
The microwave oven was discovered accidentally in 1945 when engineer Percy Spencer noticed a chocolate bar melting in his pocket near radar equipment.
Bubble wrap was originally intended to be used as wallpaper before finding its calling as packaging material.
Velcro was inspired by burrs that stuck to a Swiss engineer’s clothes during a hike in 1941.
The first alarm clock could only ring at 4 a.m. when it was invented by Levi Hutchins in 1787.
The pencil eraser was invented before the rubber eraser—people used breadcrumbs to remove pencil marks.
The zipper, invented in 1893, took decades to become common because tailors distrusted its reliability.
The first electric kettle was introduced in 1891, but it took twelve minutes to boil water.
Bubble tea straws inspired the design of some reusable metal straws due to their wide diameter.

See also: Technology Facts - AI, Computing & Scientific Breakthroughs

Materials

Stainless steel does not actually 'stain less' but forms a thin, invisible layer of chromium oxide that prevents rust.
Glass is neither a solid nor a liquid but an amorphous solid, meaning its molecules are disordered like a liquid but rigid like a solid.
Aluminium was once more valuable than gold until the late 19th century when the Hall–Héroult process made it cheap to produce.
Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms, is 200 times stronger than steel yet incredibly light.
Concrete is the most widely used human-made material on Earth, second only to water in consumption.
The Teflon coating used in non-stick pans was discovered by accident in 1938.
Early plastics were made from natural materials such as cellulose and casein from milk.
Silicone, used in everything from bakeware to electronics, remains stable across extreme temperatures.
Cork, used in wine bottles, is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees without harming them.

See also: History Facts - Ancient Civilisations, Wars & Hidden Stories

Design History

The QWERTY keyboard layout was designed in the 1870s to slow typists slightly and prevent typewriter jams.
The modern safety pin was patented in 1849 by Walter Hunt, who sold the rights for just $400.
The round shape of coins was chosen to prevent clipping—cutting off valuable metal from the edges.
The modern chair backrest was not standardised until the 19th century, when ergonomics gained attention.
Barcodes were inspired by the dots and dashes of Morse code and patented in 1952.
The first pair of sunglasses was invented in China around the 12th century to shield judges’ eyes during court proceedings.
Blueprints were once literally blue, due to the cyanotype printing process that preserved white lines on a blue background.
The Swiss Army knife, invented in 1891, was designed to give soldiers a compact multi-tool for both eating and weapon maintenance.
Modern cutlery evolved slowly; forks only became common in Europe by the 18th century.

Evolution of Items

Toothbrushes with nylon bristles only appeared in 1938; before that, people used boar hair or even twigs.
Shoelaces replaced buckles on shoes around the 12th century, providing faster fastening for common people and soldiers.
The umbrella was originally a symbol of wealth and was first used as a sunshade in ancient Egypt and China.
The first wristwatches were worn mostly by women; men preferred pocket watches until World War I made wristwatches more practical.
Early spectacles had no arms and were held in place by pinching the nose.
The humble pencil got its name from the Latin 'pencillus', meaning 'little tail brush'.
Soap was originally made from animal fat and ashes before the invention of vegetable-based soaps.
The electric light switch was invented in 1884, replacing gas lamps and candles in homes.
The shopping trolley was invented in 1937, but shoppers resisted it at first, seeing it as unnecessary.

Brand Stories

Post-it Notes were created by accident when a 3M scientist tried to invent a strong adhesive but instead made a weak, reusable one.
Coca-Cola was first sold as a medicine in 1886, claimed to relieve headaches and fatigue.
The Nike 'swoosh' logo was designed by a student in 1971 for just $35.
LEGO bricks made in 1958 still fit perfectly with modern ones because the design has never changed.
The Apple logo was inspired by the story of Isaac Newton and the falling apple, symbolising discovery.
The first McDonald's drive-through opened in 1975 to serve soldiers who were not allowed to leave their cars in uniform.
The Starbucks name comes from a character in 'Moby-Dick', chosen to evoke the romance of the sea.
Pepsi was originally called 'Brad’s Drink' before being renamed in 1898 after the word 'dyspepsia' (indigestion).
Nivea was one of the first skincare brands to use the colour white to symbolise purity and cleanliness.

Common Myths

Many believe carrots improve night vision, a myth started by British propaganda in World War II to hide radar technology.
Vikings did not actually wear horned helmets; that image was popularised by 19th-century opera costumes.
Goldfish do not have a three-second memory; they can remember things for months.
Toilets do not flush in opposite directions in different hemispheres; that’s a misunderstanding of the Coriolis effect.
Sugar does not make children hyperactive; studies show no consistent link between the two.
Cracking your knuckles does not cause arthritis; it’s simply gas bubbles popping in the joints.
Bats are not blind; many species have excellent eyesight in addition to echolocation.
Lightning can strike the same place twice and often does, especially on tall structures like the Empire State Building.
Humans use far more than 10% of their brains; brain scans show activity throughout all regions.

Packaging

The iconic Pringles tube was designed by chemist Fred Baur, whose ashes were partly buried in one after his death.
The recyclable Tetra Pak was invented in Sweden in 1951 to safely store milk without refrigeration.
Coca-Cola’s curved bottle was designed in 1915 to be recognisable even when broken or in the dark.
Aluminium cans are endlessly recyclable, and nearly 75% of all aluminium ever produced is still in use today.
Cardboard boxes were first mass-produced in 1890, revolutionising shipping and retail packaging.
Bubble wrap was invented as wallpaper, but became a packaging material after IBM used it to protect computers in shipping.
Paper bags were once hand-folded until Margaret Knight invented a machine to automate the process in 1871.
Plastic bottles gained popularity in the 1970s as a lightweight, unbreakable alternative to glass.
Re-sealable zippers on packaging were introduced in the 1960s and transformed food storage convenience.

Ergonomics

The shape of modern computer mice is modelled to support the natural curve of the hand, reducing wrist strain during long use.
Office chairs with lumbar support were developed in the 1970s when studies showed prolonged sitting damaged posture.
Split keyboards were designed to reduce wrist twisting and prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.
The height of standard kitchen counters (about 90 cm) is based on the average elbow height of 20th-century homemakers.
Laptop stands improve comfort by aligning screens with eye level, reducing neck strain.
Car seats are now designed to absorb impact and support spinal alignment during long drives.
Standing desks date back to the 18th century and were used by figures like Benjamin Franklin and Charles Dickens.
The angled design of toothbrush handles helps reach molars more effectively while minimising wrist movement.
Gaming controllers undergo rigorous ergonomic testing to prevent repetitive strain injuries.

Logos

The FedEx logo hides an arrow between the 'E' and the 'x' to symbolise speed and precision.
The Amazon logo’s arrow points from A to Z, symbolising the variety of products available.
The BMW logo represents a spinning aeroplane propeller, a nod to the company’s aviation origins.
The Google logo uses bright, primary colours but breaks the pattern with a green 'l' to signify creativity.
Toyota’s overlapping ovals form both a 'T' and a stylised steering wheel.
The Toblerone logo includes a hidden bear inside the mountain, representing the Swiss city of Bern.
The Apple logo’s bite ensures it wouldn’t be mistaken for a cherry and symbolises a 'byte' in computing.
The Adidas three stripes were inspired by mountain peaks, representing challenge and achievement.
The Hyundai logo shows a stylised handshake between the company and a satisfied customer.

Icons of Daily Life

The paperclip’s simple design has remained virtually unchanged since its patent in 1899 due to its perfect efficiency.
The humble light bulb revolutionised work and leisure, extending human activity beyond daylight for the first time in history.
The wristwatch remains a symbol of both practicality and personal style even in the smartphone era.
The toothbrush is the most commonly replaced household item in the world.
The kitchen sponge harbours more bacteria than the average toilet seat, making regular replacement vital.
The shopping bag became a cultural icon of consumerism in the 20th century.
The biro pen is used over 100 billion times daily across the world in schools, offices, and homes.
The chair is one of humanity’s oldest designed tools for rest and work, with evidence dating back to ancient Egypt.
Keys have been used for over 4,000 years, with designs dating back to ancient Rome.