HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE - Firsts: Origins Of Everyday Things That Changed The World

firsts origins of everyday things that changed the world cover

GIFT IDEA - FIRSTS: ORIGINS OF EVERYDAY THINGS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD

I think this book sounds like an interesting light read, perfect for trivia and history buffs.

About Firsts: Origins of Everyday Things that Changed the World

ISBN: 9781592579242
Published October 2009, Alpha Books
Price $12.95

Ever wonder when the first cheese in a can was? Or the first person buried on the moon? Or even the first disposable diaper?

Firsts Origins of Everyday Things that Changed the World will trace you through the most unique milestones of human achievement to answer any question you may have about histories firsts.

Written by Wilson Casey, a trivia and FAQ expert, this book is an amazing collection of over 500 firsts on nearly every topic imaginable. From fashion to food, politics to science, entertainment to art, each first entry offers a full explanation of the topic, written in a humorous yet authoritative style.

History and culture buffs can read about firsts such as:

The first cellular phone call: On April 3, 1973, Martin Cooper, general manager of Motorola’s Communications Systems Division, placed the first call on a cellular phone. Who did he call? His rival, Joel Engel of AT&T’s Bell Labs.

The first Beer: Beer is the first alcoholic beverage known to civilization, with mentions dating to thousands of years ago. Nearly every culture developed its own version of beer, using various grains like millet, maize, cassava, rice, and barley.

The first Brassiere: Around 2500 b.c.e., warrior Minoan women on the Greek isle of Crete began wearing and using a garment resembling a bra. It shoved their bare breasts upward and exposed their breasts from their clothing.

The first Bubble Gum: In 1928, the first marketable bubble gum was invented by 23-year-old Walter E. Diemer, an accountant with the Fleer chewing gum company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Casey conducted research to compile the most historically correct firsts. This book is sincerely dedicated to the real first innovators who are not in history textbooks.

WIN IT!

FIVE winners will each receive a copy of the book Firsts: Origins Of Everyday Things That Changed The World.

HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)

To enter leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you’d be interested to know the origin of.

BONUS ENTRIES

1 - Subscribe to my RSS feed.
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1 - Fave this blog at Technorati AND leave your Technorati name here.
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1 - Blog about this giveaway, including a link here.
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Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.

THE SMALL PRINT.

US addresses only please. This contest will end on Friday 12/18/09 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

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Comments (58)

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  1. 56
    Wendy M says:

    The origins of Toilet paper would be interesting.
    wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

  2. 55
    Anne G says:

    I faved you on technorati, anne1456

  3. 54
    Anne G says:

    I follow on twitter, lunaj1456

  4. 53
    Anne G says:

    I subscribe by email
    ajolly1456 at gmail dot com

  5. 52
    Anne G says:

    I’d like to know the origin of the tradition of throwing rice at wedding.

  6. 51
    Cheryl Bradley says:

    facebook friend (Cheryl Newman Bradley)
    cln1812@gmail.com