We all have a box cutter lying around the house somewhere. Few people know, however, that this handy tool doesn’t need to be replaced each time the blade becomes too dull. In fact, each box cutter comes with about a dozen fresh blades, ready to use at a moment’s notice. Knowing how to access them, however, isn’t exactly common knowledge.
Ever wonder what the notches along a box cutter’s blade are for? These notches are actually perforated lines that allow you to break the top blade off when it becomes too dull to use. After you snap it off along the line, you’ll have a fresh blade at your disposal. Unless you use your box cutter regularly or tend to lose things, you’ll likely never need to replace it!
Hats With Pom-Poms
The furry pom-poms on top of some winter hats may be a fashion staple these days, but it has been used for very different reasons in the past. One of the first records of pom-poms being used was during the Viking era and is thought to have been attached to the top of hats to hide poor stitching.
They were later used by sailors as an extra layer of protection when the waters got rough. It also helped them to gauge the height of cabin ceilings when working below the deck. Pom-poms entered the fashion world during the Great Depression, as it was an inexpensive way to add embellishments to clothes. They grew in popularity during the ‘60s and have stayed in style ever since.
Chupa Chups Lollipops
Remember Chupa Chups? The Spanish candy company created over 100 lollipop flavors, including unique options like Strawberries & Cream, Peach Yogurt, Choco-Vanilla, and Strawberry Yogurt. A small hole in the lollipop stick led many kids to believe that once they were finished with the candy, the plastic stick could be used as a whistle. However, that couldn’t have been further from the truth.
The hole was actually intended to ensure the candy was secure by having it solidify inside and outside of the hollow stick. It’s also designed to ensure someone choking on the stick can still get air into their lungs through the hole. Not exactly a whistle, but certainly not useless!
Ridges On Coins
Have you ever noticed that the sides of some coins have ridges while others are smooth? Specifically, quarters and dimes are made with textured sides. This design method began back in the day when coins held a true value. For example, a silver dollar was molded from one ounce of silver.
People began to take advantage of this by shaving off the edges of their money and eventually collecting enough silver or gold to melt into a new, full coin. They also spent the shaved coins at the intended value, even though they weren’t worth the full amount anymore. To discourage people from doing this, coins started to be molded with small ridges on the side. This made it easy to tell if it had been shaven.
Shopping Carts
The minds behind the shopping carts we use in grocery stores today don’t get enough credit for their creation. More than just a place for our milk while we wander around the frozen foods aisle, shopping carts also offer a safe place for more delicate items. The intricate loops, which can be found on either side of the cart or in front, are designed to hold lighter grocery bags.
While plastic bags may be on their way out, the concept still works with reusable tote bags. As you are bagging your items at the checkout counter, place anything you don’t want to be squished in a separate bag. Think cartons of eggs and loaves of bread. These bags can be hung on the loops so that they rest on the outside of the cart, ensuring they make it to your car safely. Getting them home safely, however, is entirely up to you.