We live in an era of unprecedented advancement. Yet, many things we consider modern marvels have surprisingly ancient origins. Let’s explore ten such things that might be older than you think!
10. Flushing Toilets: 4,000 Years Old
While modern sanitation seems like a recent achievement, the Indus River Valley civilization had flushing toilets around 2,000 BC. Homes featured private toilets with piping and septic tanks for waste disposal. This system kept their towns clean, showcasing an early understanding of sanitation.
9. Oreos: Older Than Chocolate Chip Cookies?
Chocolate chip cookies, a staple in American homes, were only invented in 1938. Oreos, however, have been around since 1912! For over two decades, children grew up with Oreos as their primary cookie choice. This sweet treat has a surprisingly long history.
8. Touch Screen Displays: Pre-Date Color TV
Touch screens feel like a recent technological advancement due to smartphones and tablets; however, the first touch screen was patented in 1965. This capacitive touch screen used disruptions in the screen’s electric charge to register commands. Amazingly, the core technology is still used today!
7. Beer: Before Bread?
Beer, a beloved beverage throughout history, is surprisingly ancient. Humanity figured out how to make beer before mastering bread production. Evidence suggests beer recipes existed 4,000 years before the first known bread recipes in Egypt. Cheers to that!
6. Early Contact Lenses: Glass and Painful
While eyeglasses have ancient origins, contact lenses emerged in the late 1800s. Early versions were made of glass and covered the entire eye. Wearers experienced constant pain as their eyes suffocated, often using cocaine eye drops to numb the discomfort. Modern contacts are a significant improvement!
5. Gladiator Sponsorships: Ancient Endorsements
Sponsorships and advertisements bombard us daily. However, athlete endorsements aren’t new. Gladiators in ancient Rome received sponsorships from businesses and wealthy individuals, promoting their favorite swords and loincloths. Imagine fighters battling to the death in the name of a brand!
4. Cardboard: Ming Dynasty Packaging
Cardboard is essential for modern shipping and storage. While it came into use in Europe in the 19th century, the Chinese used cardboard during the Ming Dynasty (early 1500s). They used it for storing and shipping goods, highlighting its long-standing utility.
3. Betty White: Older Than Sliced Bread
Betty White, an iconic actress, was born in 1922. Sliced bread wasn’t invented until 1928. This fun fact puts her longevity into perspective. She experienced a world where bread wasn’t pre-sliced!
2. Roman Central Heating: Hypocausts
Central heating is a modern comfort we often take for granted. The Romans had a sophisticated heating system called hypocausts. These systems used gaps in the floors and terracotta beams to circulate heat from a furnace, warming homes during the colder months.
1. Among Us: An Overnight Success, Years in the Making
Among Us, a popular multiplayer game, exploded in popularity after being released with little fanfare nearly three years prior. Its sudden success caught the developers by surprise, leading to server overloads and frantic updates to meet the overwhelming demand.
From ancient toilets to surprisingly old technologies, our world is full of inventions with fascinating backstories. Many things we consider modern have roots stretching back centuries, even millennia! It’s both humbling and amazing to see how far we’ve come and how much we owe to the past.
What surprised you the most? Leave a comment below!
