The Earliest Vacuum Cleaners The first patent for what we could call a vacuum cleaner was submitted by American inventor… Read more Puffing Billy to Roomba: A Vacuum Cleaner Timeline
Tag: American history
The Cure Cottages of Saranac Lake
My in laws are spending a few days at Saranac Lake in upstate New York and they mentioned that there… Read more The Cure Cottages of Saranac Lake
Mint Julep, Anyone?
I thought it would be fun to make some cocktails this summer and the natural progression was to then look… Read more Mint Julep, Anyone?
Did You Know? The First Ferris Wheel
The biggest splurge of our wedding was renting a Ferris wheel. This type of Ferris wheel with seats that hold… Read more Did You Know? The First Ferris Wheel
2 Things I Learned in November
Can I just say that I learned nothing in November and be done with it? No? Okay, here goes then.… Read more 2 Things I Learned in November
10 Facts About George Washington Carver
Have you heard that George Washington Carver (1864-1943) invented peanut butter? Well, that’s not quite true. A version of peanut… Read more 10 Facts About George Washington Carver
2020 Gift Guide: 20+ Gift Ideas for History Buffs
This year in particular many people are suggesting you do your holiday shopping early, so I thought I’d throw my… Read more 2020 Gift Guide: 20+ Gift Ideas for History Buffs
7 Things I Learned in October
A new tea chain is coming to Canada and the U.S. (Last I heard T. Kettle stores were set to… Read more 7 Things I Learned in October
A Brief History of Apple Desserts
As I was making apple crisp this afternoon I decided to look into the origins of various apple desserts. But… Read more A Brief History of Apple Desserts
Team of Rivals and Lincoln’s Character
This spring/summer I read Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. Even though it took… Read more Team of Rivals and Lincoln’s Character
A Short History of 4/20
If you’ve ever wondered how April 20 became a holiday celebrating marijuana, you’ve come to the right place. Origin Myths… Read more A Short History of 4/20
5 Things I Learned in February
Here are five completely unrelated things that I learned recently. Perhaps you’ll be enlightened too. I’m extremely skeptical of zero… Read more 5 Things I Learned in February
A Brief History of Paperbacks
I’d never thought much about the history of paperbacks till I encountered a brief discussion in this novel, which I’m… Read more A Brief History of Paperbacks