318 pages : 23 cm

Guide for history buffs, science students, lovers of popular culture, and natural-born detectives. With background on the origins of more than 300 modern phenomena, objects, sayings, stories, and superstitions that most people take for granted. Complete with humorous illustrations and easy-to-navigate chapters, the eye-opening explanations and amazing anecdotes reveal the truth behind the birth and brilliance of the brown paper bag; the 4,000-year history of toothpaste and its torrid past; and the reasons for the staying power of popular puzzles from Rubikʼs Cube to sudoku. Find out why we have nature to thank for velcro, valium, and the Guggenheim; why we get the blues and not the reds; and why Heinz has the Romans to thank for its saucy success. Describes the origin of more than 400 garments, machines, foods, sports, places, phenomena, and other everyday things that most people take for granted. Arranged alphabetically

Originally published in Great Britain in 2006 by Think Publishing

Includes bibliographical references (page 319)

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