About this item
For lovers of facts, students of popular culture, history buffs, and science enthusiasts, the foremost specialist on everything tells how and why hundreds of the everyday items, expressions, and customs we take for granted came into existence. Learn the fascinating discovery stories behind over 500 phenomena, including:-How chewing gum and Silly Putty began as substitutes for rubber.-How the potato chip emerged from an act of pique on the part of an Indian named Crum.-How a socialite invented the dishwasher because servants too frequently broke her expensive china.-Why April Fool's Day started out as New Year's Eve, a joke in itself.-How the song 'Happy Birthday to You' began as a kindergarten jingle titled 'Good Morning to All.'-How the zipper was one man's attempt to make obsolete, not buttons.
About the Author
Charles Panati is a physicist, and for many years was the science editor of Newsweek. He's published 13 non-fiction books, and two novels. Most of his books are now available as ebooks in the Kindle Store. His 'Browser's Book of Beginnings' was the basis for the TV show THE START OF SOMETHING BIG, hosted by comedian Steve Allen, and written by Panati. In his early twenties, Panati was an escort for several Miss America contestants, and in September of 1965 the girl he escorted, Debbie Irene Bryant, became Miss America of 1966. Panati's most recent non-fiction is a Kindle book: ANIMALS PRAY - In Their Own Way. As a passionate animal lover, Panati has imagined what prayers animals would say to a Heavenly Being, their joys and laments. As well as what kind of Bill of Rights they'd have drawn up, and Declaration of Independence, their Golden Rule, Ten Commandments, Eight Beatitudes, and the like. He calls himself an 'editor' of the book, a confidant and complier, lending his ear as the animals themselves speak their minds.
