Tag Archives: Invention

Butter

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Butter

What would it be like without butter?

  • Butter is a dairy foodstuff made by churning milk fats, known as cream, of the milk of certain mammals.
  • Butter can be made from cow’s, yak’s, sheep’s, goat’s or buffalo’s milk, as well as others.
  • Butter is a solid when cooled, becomes soft at room temperatures and starts to melt into a liquid at 32 to 35°C (90 to 95°F).
  • Butter is coloured from white to deep yellow, although typically pale yellow, with food colourings sometimes added.
  • Commercial butter generally contains approximately 80% fat, with the remaining percentages made of water and milk solids.

Butter,Block, Yellow, Deep, spread, Ten Random Facts, Homebrand, Australia

  • Butter was made by hand, typically on farms, before the 1800s, and was sometimes used as a substitute for lamp oil during the Middle Ages.
  • Butter is commonly used as a spread on bread and is one of the main ingredients in many recipes, including cakes, biscuits, sauces.
  • Butter is a good source of vitamin A and has one of the lowest fat contents out of most common cooking fats, although one of the highest in saturated fat.
  • Butter was used in Ancient Rome to smooth the skin and make hair shiny.
  • Butter has been made for thousands of years, with many ancient references, including the Bible, and civilisations such as Egypt, making mention of it.
Bibliography:
Butter, 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butter
Explore the History and Making of Butter, n.d, Butter through the Ages, http://www.webexhibits.org/butter/
The History of Butter, n.d, Dairy Goodness, http://www.dairygoodness.ca/butter/the-history-of-butter

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Baking Paper

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Baking Paper

Rip off the baking paper and put it on the tray.

  • ‘Baking paper’ is also known as ‘parchment paper’, ‘bakery release paper’, ‘silicone paper’, silicone baking paper’ and ‘butter paper’.
  • Baking paper is a non-stick paper used in baking, often to line tins, pans and trays, to prevent food from sticking to the pans.
  • Baking paper is typically made by submerging paper pulp in chemicals, such as sulphuric acid or zinc chloride, or paper is covered with an agent such as silicone.
  • Baking paper is also often reusable, although can wear after a number of uses, and it can be disposed of easily.
  • Baking paper is made from vegetable or plant based materials, specifically cellulose.

Baking paper, white, parchment paper, Woolworths Select, Ten Random Facts, Australia

  • A French tradition, called ‘en papillote’ (in parchment) involves wrapping food with baking paper.
  • Baking paper is a practical replacement of cooking grease and wax paper.
  • Baking paper can be used as a stencil or template, an icing cone or a bag.
  • Parchment, which is made in a similar way to baking paper, was first invented in the Ptolemaic Dynasty, in Egypt, during 305 to 283BC.
  • Baking paper is heat resistant, and generally a partially transparent white colour.
Bibliography: Parchment Paper (Baking), 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parchment_paper_(baking)
What is Parchment Paper, 2013, WiseGEEK, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-parchment-paper.htm

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Pressure-sensitive Tape

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Pressure-sensitive Tape

Broken something? Use some pressure-sensitive tape!

  • ‘Pressure-sensitive tape’ is also known as ‘PSA tape’, ‘tape’, ‘sticky tape’, ‘adhesive tape’, and ‘self-stick tape’.
  • Pressure-sensitive tape is an adhesive tape, commonly plastic-backed, that sticks onto surfaces when pressure is applied.
  • Pressure-sensitive adhesive was invented in 1845 by surgeon Dr Horace Day, who applied it to fabric to make a surgical, pressure-sensitive tape.
  • In the 1900s, many pressure-sensitive tapes were invented and sold commercially, using the formula of Dr Day’s, or something similar.
  • There are many versions of pressure-sensitive tape, including clear tapes, decorative backed tapes, paper-backed tapes (masking tape), strong adhesive tapes (duct tape) or thick tapes (Gaffer tape).

Pressure-sensitive tape, Sticky Tape, Clear, PSA Tape, Adhesive Tape, Bundle, Roll, Three, Wide, Ten Random Facts

  • Pressure-sensitive tape can sometimes decrease the recycling efficiency of a recyclable object.
  • Pressure-sensitive tape has many uses, depending on the type of backing and adhesive  is is made from, and uses can include sticking pieces of paper together, and taping down or sealing boxes, and the tape is usually found in most homes and offices, in a tape dispenser.
  • Pressure-sensitive tape generally has four layers, a release coat, backing, primer coat and adhesive under-layer.
  • If left on a surface, particularly paper, for a considerably long length of time, many pressure sensitive tapes become oily, yellow and start to merge into the surface.
  • Pressure-sensitive tape can destroy the value of documents or papers, although it can be professionally removed in layers to protect valuable documents from the aging process of the tape.
Bibliography:
Pressure-senstive Tape, 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure_sensitive_tape
Smith M, Jones N, Page S & Dirda M, Pressure-Sensitive Tape and Techniques for its Removal From Paper, 1983, Conservation Online, http://cool.conservation-us.org/coolaic/sg/bpg/annual/v02/bp02-13.html

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Toaster

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Toaster

Pop goes the toaster.

  • Toasters are typically electrical bread cookers found in most kitchens around the world which makes the bread crunchy, and helps to keep bread longer.
  • Two-slice toasters typically toast bread for 1 to 3 minutes using 600 to 1200 watts of power.
  • Bread was originally toasted over a fire with a stick, the basic concept of a toaster, with modern appliances appearing in the late 1800s, but toast was popular throughout the Roman colony.
  • The first practical electrical toaster was invented by Scottish scientist, Alan MacMasters, around 1893, as previous hazardous attempts had been made by multiple inventors.
  • The first pop-up toaster was invented by American Charles Strite, which was patented in 1921.

Toaster, Metal, Four Slice, Silver, Grey, Breville, Gleaming, Kitchen, Ten Random Facts, Bread, Australia

  • Some toasters are a small ovens, while others toast bread on a conveyor belt-like mechanism, toasting 350-900 pieces per hour.
  • Toasters have been adapted to not only toast bread, but waffles and crumpets, and even hot dogs.
  • The term ‘toast’, where the word ‘toaster’ is derived from, comes from the words ‘torrere’ and ‘tostum’ of Latin origin, meaning ‘to burn’ or ‘scorch’.
  • There are many designs of toasters, with different colours and shapes, as well as multiple toasting spots with two slots being the most common, although four slice toasters are not unusual.
  • A toaster was invented in 1990 that could be controlled over the internet, and in 2012, a toaster was made that could recognise the toast’s colour shades.

 

Bibliography:
Bellis M, The History of your Toaster, 2013, About.com, <http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bltoaster.htm>
Toaster, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toaster>

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Sunscreen

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Sunscreen

“Slip on a shirt, Slop on the sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Seek shade, Slide on some sunnies.”

  • ‘Sunscreen’ is also known as ‘sun screen’, ‘sunblock’, ‘sunburn cream’, ‘sun cream’, ‘suntan lotion’ and ‘block out’.
  • Sunscreen comes in various forms which include cream, gel or spray mixtures that repel or block the sun’s UV (ultraviolet) rays.
  • Although sunscreen repels UV rays, they often do not block UVA, which are more damaging to the skin than UVB, so a broad spectrum solution that covers both UVA and UVB rays is highly recommended.
  • It has been proven that regular use of sunscreen can slow wrinkle formation and help prevent skin becoming saggy.
  • Most people do not apply adequate sunscreen, and a dose of one quarter to one third of a teaspoon, at least, should be applied to an adult’s face, and at least one teaspoon for each arm and leg.

Sunscreen, White, Blob, Bottle, tube, Homebrand, Squeeze, Ten Random Facts, Australia

  • There are various levels of  sun protection factors (SPF) in different sunscreen lotions, and the higher the number, generally the longer the time you can be in the sun without getting sun burnt, and the better protection it provides.
  • Ancient Egyptians used a sunscreen like formula that helped to block UV rays, and modern formulas were first invented in the 1930s, and over decades they have gradually improved to the broad spectrum formulas that we have today.
  • Sunscreen generally has zinc oxide or titanium oxide as an ingredient, although research concludes that zinc oxide is more effective ingredient.
  • Austrian scientist, Franz Greiter, made a number of significant contributions to the development of sunscreen in the 20th century, including introducing the sun protection factor (SPF).
  • Scientists have been working on edible sunscreen pills and have discovered substances in marine animals and plants, which are the most efficient sun blockers.
Bibliography:
The History of Sunscreen, 2009, Random History, <http://www.randomhistory.com/2009/04/28_sunscreen.html>
Sunscreen, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunscreen>

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Metric System

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Metric System

Numbers and measurements in the metric system.

  • The metric system is an internationally used measurement system that is decimal based.
  • The metric system is based on the French measurement system developed in the 17 and 18th century with the French measurement terms – ‘mètre’, ‘are’ (area), ‘stère’ (dry volume), ‘litre’ (liquid volume) and ‘gramme’ (weight).
  • The metric system has it’s own measurements and units for quantities including mass, volumes, time, distance, velocity or speed, acceleration, force, pressure, power, energy and temperature.
  • In 1799, areas of France started following the metric system, starting with kilograms and metres, then litres and Celsius, with more units added over time based on grams, metres and litres, which eventually led to widespread use throughout the world.
  • The United States, Myanmar (Burma) and Liberia do not use the metric system, making up 5% of the world ‘s population not using the system.

Metric System, Measurement, Scales, Grams, Electronic, Utilities, Spoon, Teaspoon, Tablespoon, Cups, Tape Measure, Ruler, Imagine Make Believe, Ten Random Facts,

  • Each unit in the metric system uses an internationally recognised symbol, such as ‘mL’ for ‘millilitres’ or ‘g’ for ‘grams’.
  • In 1960, the metric system was recognised as part of the ‘SI’, or ‘The International System of Units’ which was the establishment of an international standardised measuring system.
  • Prefixes, such as ‘kilo’, ‘centi’ and ‘deca’, are used in front of base measurements, such as ‘grams’, ‘litres’ or ‘metres’, in the metric system.
  • There are many variations in the spelling of terms in the metric system, such as ‘kilometre’ in English and ‘chilometro’ in Italian, or they have different English spellings – ‘gram’ and ‘gramme’, ‘metre’ and ‘meter’.
  • Faulty calculations related to the metric system has resulted in potentially fatal accidents or disastrous economic losses.
Bibliography:
Metric System, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metric_system>
The Metric System, n.d, Wichita State University Department of Mathematics and Statistics, <http://www.math.wichita.edu/history/topics/metric.html>

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