A Short History of the Toothpick

Thanks to the humble toothpick, taking care of your oral hygiene after meals has become somewhat of a ritual. With needle-like precision, it makes removing unseemly pieces of food debris, such as that stubborn sliver of shredded chicken, a thoroughly satisfying task. So who should we thank for it? DIY Origins   The toothpick is one of the few inventions being used today that predates the arrival of modern humans. Fossil evidence of ancient skulls, for instance, suggests that early Neanderthals used tools to pick their teeth. Scientists have also found tooth indentations indicative of teeth picking in human remains among Australian Aborigines, prehistoric Native Americans, and the earliest Egyptians.    The practice of teeth picking was not uncommon among early civilizations, too. Mesopotamians used instruments to keep dental crevices clear and artifacts such as toothpicks made out of silver, bronze and various other precious metals that date back to antiquity have also been unearthed. By the Medieval period, carrying a gold or silver toothpick in a fancy case became a way for privileged Europeans to distinguish themselves from commoners. The toothpick wasn’t always quite the lowly, mass-produced and disposable piece of wood that we’ve come to know today. Queen Elizabeth once received six gold toothpicks as a gift and would often showcase them. There’s even an anonymous portrait depicting her as an old woman wearing multiple chains around her neck, from which hung a gold toothpick or a case. Meanwhile, those who couldn’t afford such luxuries resorted to more creative ways of fashioning their own toothpicks. The Romans came up with a particularly clever method of pulling bird feathers, chopping off the quill and sharpening the tip. The technique was passed on to future generations in Europe and eventually carried over to the new world. Over in the Americas, native peoples carved toothpicks from deer bone. And just up north, Eskimos used walrus whiskers. Coincidentally, wood was generally considered unsuitable for the purpose of dislodging trapped food bits. Twigs from trees were inadequate because they tended to wear down when wet and had a propensity to splinter, which tended to be problematic. One exception is the mastic gum tree of southern Europe, with the Romans among the first to take advantage of the plant’s pleasant aroma and its teeth whitening properties. A Toothpick for the Masses With the ubiquity of tooth picking tools across the world, it was only a matter of time before an industry was built around them. As small businesses specializing in toothpick manufacturing began to pop up, demand for toothpicks also grew.  American entrepreneur named Charles Forster. The mass production of toothpicks can be traced to the Mondego River Valley in Portugal. It was there, in the small municipality of Coimbra, that the 16th century nuns of the Mos-teiro de Lorvà £o monastery began making toothpicks as a disposable utensil for picking up sticky confections that tended to leave residue on fingers and teeth. Locals eventually picked up the tradition, using only the finest orangewood and a jackknife to handcraft the toothpicks. The region would over time earn a reputation as the world capital of the toothpick industry where the finest toothpicks were made. Orders soon came in from all over Europe and shipment were sent out as far overseas as the Americas. The Portuguese were especially renowned for a special type of cocktail tooth called â€Å"palitos especiales† distinct for their carved involutes and curly shafts. In the U.S., some vendors seek to mimic the classy, festive aesthetic with toothpicks topped with colored cellophane. Toothpicks in America The American entrepreneur Charles Forster was particularly impressed by the high quality of the toothpicks in South America. While working in Brazil, he noticed that the locals often had impeccable teeth and credited it to the use of imported toothpicks from Portugal. Inspired by fellow American Benjamin Franklin Sturtevant’s shoe-making machine, Forster got to work on building something similar that would be capable of mass-producing millions of toothpicks a day. While he was ultimately able to come up with the goods, Americans simply weren’t interested. Part of the problem was that Americans were already accustomed to whittling their own toothpicks and doling out cash for something that can easily make themselves made little sense at the time. What was needed was a sea change in ingrained lifestyle habits and attitudes if there was any hope of generating demand. Forster just so happened to be crazy enough to take on such a seemingly insurmountable challenge. Some of the unusual marketing tactics he employed included hiring students to pose as store customers seeking toothpicks and instructing Harvard students to ask for them whenever they dined at restaurants. Soon enough, many local eateries would make sure toothpicks were available for patrons who somehow developed a habit of reaching for them as they’re about to leave. Though it was Forster who at the time nearly singlehandedly established a growing market for mass-produced wooden toothpicks, there were a few others jockeying to get into the game. In 1869, Alphons Krizek, of Philadelphia, received a patent for an â€Å"improvement in toothpicks,† which featured a hooked end with spoon-shaped mechanism designed to clean out hollow and sensitive teeth. Other attempted â€Å"improvements† include a case for a retractable toothpick and a scented coating meant to freshen one’s breath.  Ã‚   Towards the end of the 19th century, there were literally billions of toothpicks made each year. In 1887, the count got as high as five billion toothpicks, with Forster accounting for more than half of them. And by the end of the century, there was one factory in Maine that was already making that many.  Ã‚   Toothpicks Not Just for Picking Teeth With the commercialized ubiquity of disposable wooden toothpicks, the concept of the toothpick as status symbol, which stubbornly persisted well into 19th century, would slowly begin to fade. Silver and gold toothpicks, once immensely popular amongst society’s most well-heeled elites, were increasingly turned in as donations at fundraisers. But that doesn’t mean a toothpick’s usefulness was simply relegated to oral hygiene. Most people, for instance, are familiar with the use of toothpicks in social settings where eau doeuvres and other finger foods are served. Yet they’ve also proved capable of pinning down overstuffed deli sandwiches, cleaning dirt from underneath fingernails, and even picking locks. While the standard toothpick of today remains essentially unchanged from the ones Forster was cranking out over a century ago, entrepreneurs still seek to improve upon its very basic iteration. One early attempt by Forster and others to make them more appealing was the introduction of flavored toothpicks. Popular flavors included cinnamon, wintergreen, and sassafras. For a time, there were even liquor flavors, such as Scotch and Bourbon. Inventors have also tested other coatings such as imbuing sticks with zinc as a disinfectant. Another therapeutic approach involved combining a toothpick and a gum massager. Others have tried tinkering with the shape by making the center square as a way to prevent rolling when dropped while some newer ones claim to offer enhanced cleaning ability with the addition of brush-like bristles to the head. Though such efforts to build a better toothpick may arguably yield some advantages, theres something about the toothpick’s modest simplicity that makes it so users dont have much of a desire to deviate. A disposable, cheap object with a simple design that achieves its desired goal, you really couldn’t ask for more — as a consumer or as a manufacturer.

The Key Beliefs Within Two Religious Traditions - 4561 Words

Paige Frampton Religious Studies 2015 AS 90823 BLUE Explain the key beliefs within two religious traditions in a relation to a significant religious question. Life after death is a very controversial topic around the world and in society. Throughout our lives, we often wonder ‘what happens when we die?’. There are many different beliefs as to what happens to our bodies and to our souls after we die. Religion provides answers to this question, however different religions offer different beliefs and answers to this question. There are two basic kinds of religion in this world: Eastern and Western. Through learning about the key beliefs of Catholics and Hindus I have been able to learn some similar and some different perspectives on the forever debatable question ‘what happens when we die?’. The official teaching of the Catholic Church is located in the book ‘the Catechism of the Catholic Church’ (CCC). Which is based on the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. Catholics believe that Jesus died on the cross for us, he sacrificed himself for us by doing this, to redeem our sins so that we can go to heaven to be with Christ for eternity. â€Å"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.† (John 3:16) Some symbols in the Catholic faith also relate to our beliefs on life after death, such as the cross. The crossShow MoreRelatedGrand Canyon Int 244 Complete Course1616 Words   |  7 Pagesunderstandings and beliefs, do you agree with this definition? Explain your reasoning. Cite references where possible. 5 postsRe:Topic 1 DQ 1 Identify basic beliefs and practices of the various the forms of historical Christianity. Do identify with these? Explain why or why not. Cite references where possible. WEEK 2 DQ 1 Consider the question of whether Judaism is essentially a religion, a race, a culture, or something else. 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An Analysis of Fahrenheit 451 free essay sample

The Hearth and the Salamander 1 . What is the significance of Montag seeing his reflection in Clarisses eyes? A. it Dignifies Montag as he remembers the time when electricity had gone out and his mom had lit a candle that in a sense brought them together and made each other feel safe by one another. When he looks in Clarisses eyes, he feels safe and comfortable being with her with no worries whatsoever. 2. Clarisse causes Montag to recall a childhood memory in which a wish was embedded. What was the significance of the memory and the wish? A. 3. What two observations does Clarisse make about Montags conversational mannerisms? A. For some reason Montag decides to laugh at her making her say that it is strange that he is laughing when she has not been trying to be funny and he always answers without thinking about the question that he has been asked. We will write a custom essay sample on An Analysis of Fahrenheit 451 or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 4. What things do the McClellans do which cause them to be classified as peculiar? 5. What final question does Clarisse ask Montag on the night of their first encounter? Why is the question important to the plot? 6. When Montag enters home, he stares at the blank wall, but in memory sees Clarisse. What extended simile describes how he sees her? What is significant about the comparison? 7. Find two further similes Montag uses to describe Clarisse. Do the similes have any other purpose other than characterize Clarisse? 8. Describe the bedroom which Montag enters. Whom does the setting characterize? 9. At this point of realization, what happens to the smile on Montags face, and what is his answer to Clarisses question? 10. What event occurs that night which provides Montag with an impression of the state of society? What is that impression? 1 1 . In contrast, what does Montag next hear and long for? 12. What test of love does Clarisse give Montag, and how does he respond to it? 13. Describe Clarisses personality. 14. What observations does Clarisse make about how Montag differs from other fireman? 15. Describe the mechanical hound. 16. What does Ann-social mean? What does it mean in the society of Fahrenheit 451? To whom does this apply to? 17. What does Clarisse say people tall about? Find some examples of representative conversations throughout the book. 18. During the car game at the fire station, what question does Montag ask? What 19. What is the significance of the refrain repeated by the woman whose house was burned? What did it mean? What is its effect on Montag? 20. What does Montag think his feelings were to be if his wife died? 21 . What are Montags comments about the people in the walls? 22. What does Montag think about the old woman and all the books he has destroyed? 23. Summarize Beattys explanation of how the need for fireman arose. Part 2: The Sieve and the Sand 24. What is the meaning of the title of part 2? 25. What is the importance of the Dentifrice commercial? 26. Why does Montag go to see Faber?

The Street Lawyer Essays - The Street Lawyer, Mordecai, Homelessness

The Street Lawyer Plot outline The main character in this book is Michael Brock, a lawyer working for Drake & Sweeney. One day a homeless man comes into the firm and holds Michael and other lawyers hostage. Michael and the lawyers manage to get out of the situation but the homeless man gets killed. Michael finds out later that the homeless man had been evicted from a wherehouse where he was paying rent and Drake & Sweeney was responsible for the eviction. Michael asked a lawyer, at his firm, if he could see the file about the eviction but the lawyer refused. Michael started helping Mordecai Green, a lawyer for the homeless, and soon Michael left Drake & Sweeny and became a laywer for the homeless, a street laywer. But just before he officially left his firm, he stole the eviction file that he wanted to see. As Micheal copied the file, he began to find out more about the eviction and realized it was illegal and his ex-firm, Drake & Sweeney, were responsible for wrongful deaths of some homeless people, who had died after being evicted. When the firm found out about the missing file, Michael was wanted for Grand Larceny and they were pressing criminal charges. Micheal filed a suit against his ex-firm, with the help, of Mordecai Green, and they were representing the evictees. The partners of Drake & Sweeney, knowing that they were wrong, met with Mordecai Green to settle on an agreement without a jury. They were offering Mordecai and Michael $770,000 and two-year suspension for Michael for stealing the file. Mordecai made an offer of $5 million and a one-year suspension for Michael. If Drake & Sweeney agreed everything would be over without the public hearing about it but if they disagreed, Mordecai would bring in a jury and was confident of winning and humiliating Drake & Sweeney. Book Reports

Empathy Essays - Social Psychology, Emotions, Psychopathy

Empathy Essays - Social Psychology, Emotions, Psychopathy Empathy A.) In my view, no one person that I know takes pride in their work, a lot do. I believe that all artists and writers take the most pride in their work. They all work long hard hours, getting paid little or none, and once their masterpiece is completed, they are satisfied. They know that it doesn?t matter if they get paid anything (even though it would help) as long as they take pride in their work and are satisfied with their work. These people will only be happy with perfection and will work months and months if not years on a single piece of what expresses their feelings and pride best. This is the way I would like to grow up, happy with my success and my talent. Although I might not grow up being an artist, I feel that these are basic morals that every successful person should have. Some people are talented but do not take pride in their work and they never really become very successful. To me, these are the people who take the most pride in their work, the ! artists and writers. B.) People that I believe that show the most empathy for others are believe it or not, psychiatrists. It is part of their everyday job putting themselves in someone else?s shoes. They imagine how they would react and feel if they were experiencing how the people that they are counseling are feeling. They also imagine how they would react and what they feel would be the best solution to the problem. This characteristic that they display is a great example of empathy in my mind. It is easy enough to suggest a solution to one?s problem but it takes a hard thinking person to make their mindset the same as the person in need. As I grow up, I hope to acquire this trait. I believe that right now, I do not try to put myself in someone else?s shoes but it is something I am trying to work on. Some people may disagree, but I believe that these are the most empathetic people there are.

Nazi Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Nazi - Essay Example Part of the music composed and played by the youth was to make sure that the Germans recognized Jewish resistance in the Holocaust, and make sure that they knew that it was a widely spread affair, and took various forms. The youth organized themselves into the ghettos and concentration camps in form of orchestras, choirs, and other musical groups so as to give clandestine performances for their fellow residents. The Terezin ghetto, having been used by the Nazi for promoting propaganda was also referred to as a â€Å"model ghetto† and was home for most of the Jewish musicians and composers from all over Europe. Camps such as Auschwitz, Sachsenhausen, and Buchenwald planned and organized prisoner orchestras and used to give performances for officers of SS and all the visiting dignitaries in order to guarantee themselves survival (Hirsch 102). 2. There is a lot of comparison drawn to two music composers during the Nazi regime, Bruckner and Wagner, with their comparison being made on the type of their music, their meaning and the themes that guided in their compositions. Differences can be drawn on the meaning of their music. While Bruckner’s music lay in the symphonic form of music based on the instrumentals, Wagner’s’ music was a form of narrative, such as operas, and used symbols and myths. Symbolism in Bruckner’s music such as the 7th adagio reveals the theme of the sacredness in his compositions and religious beliefs. Contrary to Bruckner’s music, Wegner’s symbolism in his music was characterized by themes of love, hate, death, and sacrifice as well as sacred process to salvation. His biggest quest was the search for human universals by exploiting the theme of symbolism myth through his music and words in his compositions. The interests of Bruckner were in showing literature, drama or political philosophy every time he made a composition or

Business Statistics Project Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Business - Statistics Project Example ategy refers to an operation that an organization conducts to converse information concerning services and products to potential customers in order to induce them to purchase such products (Tellis 1). In contemporary organizations, the main aim of advertising strategy is to increase awareness of organizations’ services and products, upsurge total customers and competitors and finally, to fosters the business image of an organization. For any business entity interested in succeeding, advertisement is very vital because through it, an organization is capable of getting new customers as it increases its total consumer base. Secondly, advertisement is important as it retains the organizations’ customers thus avoiding their diversion to other products. Thirdly, advertisement escalates the total company sales because when a company advertises definite commodity, it will explain to individuals why that commodity is better than its substitute hence enhancing many people to prefer their commodity. Finally, advertisement leads to fortunate change in a company’s’ products hence increasing its total sales (Tellis 3). The main objective of carrying out this business proposal is to determine the role that advertisement plays in an organization. Secondly, the proposal intends to investigate the effect of advertisement to consumers’ consumption of goods and services (Tellis 4). My business research will entail ten business organizations in U.S that advertise their goods and services together with other ten business organizations that do not advertise their products. I will conduct random sampling from a list of both organizations that advertise their products and those that do not. I will select ten organizations from each list and collect information concerning my research questions from these organizations before concluding on my hypothesis. In collecting my research data, I will apply dissimilar data collection methods, which include; use of questionnaire and