Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things by Charles Panati

How the hot dog began as an outlawed Roman sausage and received its name at a New York baseball game.

How the newlywed husband came to the aid of his accident-prone bride with the invention of the Band-Aid. How the zipper was one man's attempt to make obsolete not buttons. How the song 'Happy Birthday to You' began as a kindergarten jingle titled 'Good Morning to All.' Why April Fool's Day started out as New Year's Eve, a joke in itself.

How a socialite invented the dishwasher because servants too frequently broke her expensive china. How the potato chip emerged from an act of pique on the part of an Indian named Crum. How chewing gum and Silly Putty began as substitutes for rubber. Learn the fascinating discovery stories behind over 500 phenomena, including: Just over a decade later, in 1987, he fell from grace - named at the Fitzgerald Inquiry as a major player in police corruption, accused of pocketing more than $600,000 in bribes.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. In 1976, he was an inspector at a small police station in Charleville, when he was appointed Deputy Police Commissioner by the Bjelke-Petersen government. Lewis had a rapid rise through the police ranks. It was absolutely clear to the courts and to the Fitzgerald Inquiry investigators that he was in it up to his neck.' Fitzgerald Inquiry and a fall from grace 'It's very hard for people to admit that they are bad and, particularly often, to their own family, and they'll spin a tale forever and ever that they're a victim of a conspiracy and it was all nonsense,' he said. Masters said Lewis might have felt compelled to maintain his innocence. In 1998, Lewis told the ABC he was 'depressed' and 'angry' about his conviction and hoped 'in the long run, I will be vindicated'. He wouldn't even consider it to be something he should think about,' he said. He's lied about so many other things, why would he change his spots? He would never be able to face what he's done. Lewis's claim to innocence was just what Mr Powell expected.

Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things by Charles Panati