The Unordinary Origins of Ordinary Things
Victoria Alvarez
Many people don’t stop to think about where everyday actions and things came from, yet
sometimes it's worth taking a look. Why do we link our pinkies together whenever we want to
make a promise? Why do the English drive on the left side of the road? Why do we not know
who invented the fire hydrant? There is so much that we never think about and sometimes it’s
interesting to see what’s the history behind the things we see day to day.
The Pinky Swear
The pinky swear originated in Japan as the Yakuza’s form of an unbreakable promise. The pinky swear
was an agreement in which if one end of the deal didn't fulfill his obligations, his finger would be cut off. It
is rumored to have appeared in the United States in the 1820’s when Japanese immigrants brought the
tradition along with them.
The Parachute
The parachute was created by accident when Shun, a famous Chinese emperor, was running away from
his father. His father had cornered him atop of a building and, left with no other choice, Shun jumped from
the building holding two large bamboo hats above his head and gently drifted down from the building. His
endeavor was recorded by the Chinese writer Sima Qian in his book Historical Records.
Popcorn
The earliest trace of popcorn was found on Aztec graves dating to 300 AD. The Aztec and Native
Americans used popcorn in burial rituals and believed they were sacred items sent from the Gods. Early
colonists adopted the food and ate it as a snack sometimes even adding in milk and sugar while eating it
as we would eat breakfast cereals. The colonists kept popcorn as a common snack in their lives and it
has been a popular film food since.