‘Beware the 19th of January!’

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? About half the folks in America do. But how many of us see our goals to completion?

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The History of Ordinary Things: The Zamboni

The Zamboni ice resurfacer was invented by Frank Zamboni, an Italian immigrant born at the turn of the century.

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The History of Ordinary Things: Holiday Ornaments and Festive Decorations

Decorations like wreaths, candles, and evergreens are mentioned in descriptions of the Roman feast of Saturnalia, which originated in the fifth century BC and was held in mid-December to honor Saturn, the god of agriculture.

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The History of Ordinary Things: The Roulette Wheel

The roulette wheel is a spinning horizontal wheel divided into 38 or 39 numbered and colored slots.

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The Armistice Day Blizzard Rocked the Nation

Nov. 11 is Armistice Day (called Veterans Day in the United States), the date in 1918 that marked the end of World War I.

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Dear Pharmacist: The Dark Side of Medicine

This month, I will explore the dark and disturbing history of medical treatments. While these methods may seem shocking and gruesome by today’s standards, they were once considered cutting-edge solutions.

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What to Know about September

Summer is over, school has started, and the leaves are starting to turn.

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The History of Ordinary Things: Writing Tools over Time

In the Western world from the sixth to 19th centuries, most writing instruments were “quills” made from the large wing feathers of geese, swans, and later turkeys.

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The History of Ordinary Things: Opening Cans over Time

The can opener has its own unique history, but first: the can, which arrived in the late 1700s without a means of opening it.

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