The history of business communication is, of course, closely linked with the histories of communication itself and that of business operations. When the two merge, they become a vital part of successful commerce.

Communication is the process where a concept is shared between two living things. It can occur as a gesture, sound or visually in the form of pictures or print. Some of the first forms of visual communication came in the form of pictographs. People conveyed stories, histories or instructions through a series of illustrations usually drawn on the walls of caves. The second stage of written communication appeared as crude alphabets used to create a written language. Mobility of communication also occurred at this time, with the writing being found on clay, wax and tree bark. The next leap was that of the printing press during the 15th century. Next came the tremendous technological advancement using air waves and electronic signals: radio and telephone.

At every stage of communication development, so did business practices. The advent of common alphabets and a written language meant that craftsmen could order raw materials from previously unattainable sources. Consumers living outside of town could order products from tradespeople in town without having to make the trip. Invoices could be written and paid, and purchase orders sent. One could even surmise that international business practices began around this time. Since exploration was taking place, and wonderful new things like spices and fabrics were being brought back home, perhaps now written business communication made it possible for vendors to offer their high-end customers the latest discoveries.

The printing press brought with it books, newspapers and catalogs bearing advertisements for local businesses. Businesses now had an entirely new way to draw in potential new customers. The latest advancements in products could be advertised, as well as sales and new services offered. Catalogs were generally only printed by companies who could afford such a large expense, but for many families who lived in rural areas it was their only means of shopping.

Printed communication served both consumers and business owners well, but when the radio came into use at the end of the 19th century it revolutionized business communication once again. Now the products and services of every business could be marketed on the basis of mass communication. Once a household had a radio, broadcasts could reach far further than any newspaper or catalog. And it was instant. As soon as the message was spoken on the air, the word was out. When print ads were published it could sometimes take weeks or months for a response. Many entrepreneurs who saw the potential in radio became hugely successful. Their market share grew, and with it their profits.

Once radio took off, the telephone and television were not far behind. Of course, at first the telephone was not used for advertising in business, but more of a practical tool. Manufacturers could communicate with raw materials representatives, business owners could communicate with consumers and investors could communicate with their beneficiaries. It was not until the latter part of the 20th century that the telephone was used to advertise for a business, through telemarketing and the facsimile. From its onset, the television was used for marketing purposes. Media broadcasters would recruit local business owners to sponsor their show, in exchange for a few minutes of airtime to advertise their products. The exchange worked well.

When technology brought forth the computer and the internet, business communication radically changed once again. In fact the change was probably as important as when the printing press was invented. Not only could marketing spread further than ever before, but the speed in which it could occur was revolutionary. Business operations could now become much more efficient, further increasing profits. Consumers had more of a say in what they wanted and how they wanted to receive it. In many ways, the middleman was taken out of the equation. There was no longer the need for traveling salespeople. Customers could be reached in a much more cost effective manner through the use of computers and the internet.

Our business practices have become so reliant on these forms of media that it is hard to imagine life with out them. But now that technology has evolved so far, customers are looking for businesses that strive to communicate with their clients in more personal ways. Consumers want personal service in a convenient way, so now business communication must evolve once again.

Many different fireplace tools are used when it comes to building and maintaining fires in home fireplaces and each one of these tools has a different story to be told as to how they came to appear on your fireplace hearth. This history will deal with the andiron, bellows, pokers and fireplace screens. Also included with fireplace tools are shovels, tongs, brushes but it is rather hard to determine how and when these particular tools began to be used.

To begin our discussion let’s start with the definition of tool. This is a device that provides a mechanical advantage in accomplishing a physical task. Archeology has determined that man was using various tools from the beginning of our existence. A tool can be as simple as a stick used to poke at something to reach and move it.

Poker

With that in mind let us start our exploration of the history of fireplace tools with the poker. A poker, also known as a stoker, is a short, rigid rod, used to move the burning material in a fire. Today’s fireplace pokers are usually made of metal with a point at one end for pushing burning material and a handle at the other end. Archeology shows that we have used pokers as a fireplace tool since the Paleolithic period. This period is the prehistoric era noted for the development of the first stone tools. It covers the period from 2.5 or 2.6 million years ago until around 10,000 BC with the introduction of agriculture. It represents the greatest portion of human time on Earth (about 99% of human history). Archeologist think that fireplace pokers were invented right after the discovery of fire (790,000 years ago) and the earliest pokers were most likely of the same material as the fuel for the fire – that is wood. At the beginning the fireplace poker, or “firestick” was probably a large branch of some type used to help keep the fire going.

Down through the ages this fireplace tool has evolved and, as other tools were used, the fireplace poker has gone in and out of favor. Up to the 17th century in England you might find only a fire fork and andirons for the fireplace but by the 19th century a fireplace poker was always used and the fire fork had almost disappeared.

The first successful mass production of pokers as a part of an entire fireplace set was designed and manufactured in Cape Girardeau, Missouri by the RL Hendrickson Manufacturing Corporation in 1898. From that time until now the poker is almost always considered a part of the assemble of fireplace tools.

“By fire-irons…the housekeeper and the ironmonger understand a fire-shovel, poker and pair of tongs. These implements were not all of them found upon the ancient hearths of this country; nor were they all necessary when wood was burned upon a fire-place…The use of pit coal, and of close fire-places, let to the adoption of the poker now in universal requisition.” Robert Hunt, A Treatise on the Progressive Improvement and Present State of the Manufactures in Metal, 1853.

Andirons

An andiron is a horizontal bar upon which logs are laid for burning in an open fireplace. Andirons usually come in pairs. They hold up the firewood so that a draft of air can pass around it and allow proper burning and less smoke. Andirons stand on short legs and are usually connected with an upright guard.

As man began to study fire and its properties in earnest it was discovered that allowing the circulation of air around the fire led to better fires. Because of this discovery andirons became more and more popular. In the 16th to 18th century AD they were also used as a rest for a roasting spit or to hold porridge.

Before the 14th century andirons were almost always forged from wrought iron and were very plain. During the period of the Italian Renaissance (14th to 17th centuries AD) many ordinary objects of the household came to the attention of artists and design and skill were used to product andirons. The andiron reached its most artistic development under Louis XIV of France (late 1600s). The guard (the upright portion of the andiron) was elaborately ornamented. Patterns consisted of heraldic symbols, sphinxes, grotesque animals, mythological creatures and much more.

Sometimes andirons were referred to by the creature they portrayed. One example of this that continues to this day is firedog. Andirons that portrayed dogs were called firedogs. This plays on the dual meaning of the word dog (canine and inanimate holder). In some areas firedog began to be used to refer to any andiron. In the United States andiron was once used only in the North and dog iron, firedog or just dog was used to identify andirons in the South. The Southern term is still used in that region but andiron is now used everywhere.

“Fire-lighting, however simple, is an operation requiring some skill; a fire is readily made by laying a few cinders at the bottom in open order; over this a few pieces of paper, and over that again eight or ten pieces of dry wood; over the wood, a course of moderate-sized pieces of coal, taking care to leave hollow spaces between for air at the centre; and taking care to lay the whole well back in the grate, so that the smoke may go up the chimney, and not into the room. This done, fire the paper with a match from below, and, if properly laid, it will soon burn up; the stream of flame from the wood and paper soon communicating to the coals and cinders, provided there is plenty of air at the centre.” Isabella Beeton, Book of Household Management, 1861.

Bellows

The bellow is a mechanical device for creating a jet of air. It usually consists of a hinged box with flexible sides, which expands to draw air in through an inward opening value and contracts to expel the air through a nozzle.

The bellow was used extensively in medieval Europe (5th to 16th century). It was used to speed combustion for a blacksmith and later to operate pipe organs. One of the simplest and most familiar types of bellows is the manual one used with fireplaces. The expandable chamber consists of a leather bag with pleated sides. The bag is fixed between handles to expand and contract. The inlet and outlet vents are provided with values so that air must enter through the first and leave through the second. Thus the fireplace bellows becomes a simple air pump.

When we think of fireplaces we usually think of these simple bellows. But bellows have had a major role in history. Metal smelting was not possible until after the invention of the bellows which made the fore possible. Bellows deliver additional air to fuel and raise the rate of heat output which is needed for smelting. Around 3000 BC hand operated bellows were used for metal smelting (bronze). The first evidence of iron smelting is around 930 BC.

Though early man did not need to get their heating and cooking fires up to the temperatures needed for smelting they did discover that fireplace bellows made fire building easier. Stoking kindling with a bellow produces a hotter flame and logs start much quicker. This is especially important when you are working with wet logs. Also, fireplace bellows were used early on to create an airstream to blow ashes out of the fireplace when cleaning.

Today fireplace bellows are still a necessary tool on the fireplace hearth. It is also a tool that many people like to design and make on their own. Many bellows are made out of beautiful wood and can have very intricate designs creating an elegant object on display by the fire.

Fireplace Screens

Though there is no exact date for when fireplace screens came into use we do know that they were first a form of furniture that shielded individuals from any excess heat that was coming from a log burning fireplace. Early fireplace screens usually were shaped as flat panels standing on attached feet, or as adjustable shield-shaped panels mounted on tripod table legs.

Today’s fireplace screens come in many decorative designs and are made out of metal, glass or wire mesh and are placed in front of the fireplace to protect the room from flying embers that may come from the fire. Sometimes they are used to cover the fireplace when not in use to make the area more decorative.

Whatever fireplace tool you use to help you build and maintain your fire, know that there is a long history behind each one of those fireplace tools and centuries of use has gone into perfecting the tool in your hand. And remember that in modern society fire has evolved from providing necessary heat and cooking to a symbol of warmth and love shared by all that gather are the fireplace hearth.

The Moretta mask is one of the most traditional designs of Venetian masks. Originating in France it was quickly taken up by the fashion conscious Venetian women who loved the way the mask accentuated the soft feminine lines of the female face. Its popularity was short lived as by 1760 it had disappeared.

The Moretta mask was oval in shape with no mouth opening, just eye holes.Traditionally the mask was worn with a veil so giving total anonymity to its wearer. Originally made of black velvet the features are expressionless. It was designed without ties to secure it in place relying Instead on a button a button sewn on the inside of the mask which was clamped in the mouth of the wearer, so keeping the mask in place and rendering the wearer mute. This is why the Moretta mask is also called the Servetta Muta meaning mute maid servant.

The lack of verbal communication this mask imposed meant that Venetian women had to use their body language to communicate. It encouraged coquettish behavior, the tilt of the head,the fluttering of eye lashes, the touch of a hand all became an intricate part of flirtation.Its expressionless face meant that the female wearer had to use her body to communicate, much as a mime artist would today. When worn, the Moretta mask accentuated all the attributes that Venetians considered to be the height of desirability and femininity. 

The moretta mask was worn to gambling houses, for affairs and when visiting convents where vows of silence were observed.

Thankfully todays Moretta masks are designed with ribbon ties to secure it. The button has been left in an era where women’s views were seen as unimportant and where they were judged on their physical attributes alone. They can be crafted from leather, cloth or paper mache. Most are still blank in either black or white as tradition dictates. If you wish for one that is a little more decorative there are designs that have been embelished with gilded macrame and crystals. Although not historically correct these do look superb when worn and also make lovely wall decoration. The leather Moretta masks are probably the most comfortable, allowing the skin to breath and molding to the shape of the wearers face.

Although simple in its design and somewhat inconvenient to wear, this mask still holds a fascination for us today. Its expressionless façade imbibes its wearer with an ethereal look which captivates our attention wherever it may be worn.

The stabilisation of soils has been performed for millennia. It was recognised before the Christian era began that certain geographic regions were plagued with surface materials and ambient conditions that made the movement of armies and goods difficult, if not impossible, over the paths between villages and towns.

The Mesopotamians and Romans separately discovered that it was possible to improve the ability of pathways to carry traffic by mixing the weak soils with a stabilising agent like pulverised limestone or calcium. This was the first chemical stabilisation of weak soils to improve their load carrying.

Jump forward a few years to the war in Vietnam, the US military were looking for methods for rapid stabilization of weak soils for support of its missions worldwide. Over the past 60 years they had used cement and lime these being the most effective stabilisers for road and airfield applications, but although with careful analysis of ground conditions and the make-up of the existing soils these traditional stabilisers did have a remedial effective. They urgently needed a stabiliser that could be used quickly without having to carry out extensive site tests that would increase the strength of the prevalent soft clay type local soils rapidly to support the landing and take-off of heavy C-17 and C-130 aircraft traffic on their temporary airfields.

Various combinations of plasticisers were tested as additives to the cement to find an amalgam that could cope with the varying levels of moisture and prevailing air temperature. Laboratory tests confirmed that one particular application where chemical additives and hydrogels were added to a cement base mix increased the strength and toughness by a factor of over 100% whilst still retaining the degree of flexibility of surface the military were looking for.

The fore runner of our proprietary SMR soil stabiliser was born.

Early uses of SMR in the UK

Success in Stabilising Recycled Aggregate

Despite being the Highway Authority with the largest U.K. network, (some 12900 km) and having reputedly one of the strictest Street Works regimes in England; Devon County Council have been very receptive to the use of SMR Soil Stabiliser by Utility Companies since its introduction in late 1999.

Initial trials were carried out by John Kennedy (Civil Eng) Ltd, (now Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Ltd) on behalf of South West Water and under strict monitoring by Devon County Materials Laboratory. The trials encompassed numerous laboratories and field tests including C.B.R. and compressive strength testing, frost heave susceptibility tests and air void testing of wearing course applied onto SMR reinstatements. In all of the tests carried out, the SMR bound reinstatements were proven to outperform control reinstatements using Type 1 GSB.

Following these trials, permission was granted to South West Water for use of SMR in footway reinstatements under clause S1.5 of the SROH, New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, (more commonly referred to as the HAUC spec).

Based on the success of SMR in use in footway reinstatements and further trials in carriageways, the approval to South West Water was extended in December 2000 to include reinstatements in Type 3&4 carriageway.

The approvals permit SMR treated spoil to be used as a replacement for traditional materials up to and including Road base levels. Under the revised SROH introduced in June 2002, performance criteria set down for alternative materials in Appendix A9 to be used at these levels deem the material to be classified as an NFSMR (non flow able structural material for reinstatement).

To date, SMR has been used by South West Water on over 100,000 reinstatements within the footways and carriageways of Devon, without a single failure or recorded defect.

The fact that use of SMR mixed with excavated spoil eliminates the need for imported backfill material and eliminates the need to remove spoil to landfill since it is re-used, it means that the following environmental benefits have been realised.

• Approx 150,000 Tonnes of Landfill Capacity have been preserved.
• Approx 150,000 Tonnes of Primary Aggregate have been preserved.
• Approx 300,000 Tonnes of Material movements have been avoided, reducing both pollution and disruption to the road going public.

In addition to the substantial environmental benefits, both South West Water and Devon County Council are more than happy with the performance of the SMR reinstatements, since nearly 5 years and 100,000 completed reinstatements on, there is still to be a single reported failure. Zero failure means zero remedial works, means zero traffic disruption.

Major financial benefits are also achieved, typically a saving of £40.00 per cubic metre is enjoyed by Utility Companies using SMR when compared to traditional methods, and these savings, currently running at around £18,000,000 can be further increased should the Utility Co. adopt a 1st time – single visit – permanent reinstatement policy.

The successful use of SMR in the UK is not limited to Devon and South West Water, although both must be considered as pioneers in the adoption of this highly sustainable and environmentally ideal technique. SMR is currently approved for use by in excess of 130 Local Highway Authorities nationally and has been used, without a single reported failure, on over 500,000 reinstatements, saving close to a million tonnes of landfill capacity and a similar quantity of primary aggregate. As word spreads, and the success stories increase, breaking down the industry’s “traditional approach” and its inherent resistance to change, more and more Utility Companies, Civils Contractors, and Highway Authorities will adopt SMR as their first option on footway and carriageway reinstatements.

Current uses of SMR in the UK

With a proven record of success in trench fill reinstatements, the stabilising properties of SMR have transferred over very easily to general land stabilisation applications, including the improvement and strengthening of weak or unstable soils, and the recovery and encapsulation of contaminated soils, the drying out and re-engineering of troublesome clay, chalk and sulphate bearing soils.

Over the next few years, the quality and reliability consistently achieved by SMR stabilisation will establish this product as the first choice solution for ground stabilisation.

Imagine catching a baseball bare-handed. Painful, right? Back when baseball first began, there were no baseball gloves. Fortunately, legend tells that A.G. Spalding saw a glove being used by a first baseman to protect his hand in 1875. Spalding then started the trend of wearing a glove for baseball, and the gloves became a standard in the game by the late 1890s.

By that time, softball had become popular and soon gloves were being worn in that sport as well. Today, there are specific gloves for all field positions as well as different gloves for baseball and softball.

What is the difference between a baseball glove and a softball glove? Naturally, the biggest difference is in the size. The softball itself is larger than a baseball, therefore you would need a larger glove to catch and field the ball easily. Baseball gloves range in length from 10.5 inches to 12.5 inches, depending upon the position played. Softball gloves are 12 inches long to 14 inches long.

Just as the gloves differ, so do the bats. Baseball bats are generally 31 inches long to 34 inches long. Softball bats are a bit longer, ranging from 32 inches up to 34 inches in length. Bats vary in weight between the two sports as well. Softball bats weigh an average of 23 ounces to 30 ounces. Baseball bats weigh 28 ounces to 31 ounces.

Now that you know the history and differences, it is time to purchase a glove. Choose a softball glove carefully, as it acts as your “hand” during play and should feel natural, not overly bulky or heavy. Ask a coach or other players for advice. Refer to the glove-maker’s website, as it often has valuable information that you need to learn before making your purchase.

Years ago, it took a long time for a player to “break in” a baseball or softball glove. This usually meant oiling it thoroughly, wrapping up a ball inside the pocket and even sleeping with the glove under the mattress! Today’s softball gloves are made of softer leather and have a nearly broken-in feel; however, it is still important to break in and care for your glove according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Gloves still need to be oiled, but not over-oiled, to maintain their proper level of moisture and prevent cracking. Be sure to oil the laces as well to avoid brittleness and breakage.

Most of all, play ball often with your glove. That is the best way to get a good feel for the glove and form it to your hand. Use it as much as you can, and have fun!

As you, or someone you know, begin to deal with the virus, you may be wondering what exactly is the history of herpes? Where did the virus come from and when did it become so prevalent? Here is a brief overview for you.

This goal of this article is to provide a basic genital herpes history. Don’t think of this as a textbook with all of the information you could want or need. Instead, it covers the basics of the virus’ progression through history and how it became so prevalent.

The history of herpes begins as early as ancient Greek times. Hippocrates speaks of the condition in his writings. Even the word “herpes” is a Greek word that means “to creep or crawl” which is the way that the Greeks described the way that skin lesions spread. In Roman times, the emperor Tiberius tried to stop an outbreak of mouth herpes by prohibiting kissing at public events and ceremonies. Soon after Tiberius, a physician named Celsus suggested that herpes be treated by cauterizing the sores with a hot iron. It is unknown how long Tiberius’ ban on kissing lasted or how long Celsus’ treatment was used, but both seem to have ended pretty quickly.

Later in history, Shakespeare is believed to have had knowledge of the virus. In his play Romeo and Juliet he talks about “blisters plagues” which scholars believe refers to the herpes virus. There are also medical journals from the seventeen and early eighteen hundreds that discuss this disease. During this time there was also a lot of speculation as to what caused herpes – one of the most notable was the suggestion that herpes was caused by insect bites. Obviously, the history of herpes contains a lot of misconceptions.

However, this information doesn’t really tell us when or where the history of herpes started. The origin of herpes in humans is unknown. Some scholars believe that it has been around since the beginning of the human race.

In more recent times, there started to be recognition of genital herpes history and the way that the virus spreads as early as the 1900s. Studies began to define various strains of the virus and in 1919 a man by the name of Lowenstein confirmed scientists’ suspicion that herpes was infectious.

Before this time, people were unsure that herpes was a virus – in fact, many considered it to be like other common skin conditions, such as eczema, which cannot be transmitted. Studies of herpes continued into the twentieth century and scientists were able to begin identifying various strains of the virus. Genital herpes history continues as scientists and physicians continue to study it and search for ways to minimize its’ effects and the chance of transmission.

What can we learn from this history of herpes? It certainly reveals that the disease is not just a modern phenomenon. It has been around for a while and unfortunately, unless a cure is found, it will continue to exist. In the meantime, we can be grateful that the medical minds of our age have a much better understanding of the condition and that they are working on ways to minimize the symptoms and hopefully one day eliminate the disease.

Picture frames had not changed much over the many centuries until computers revolutionied how you display your photographs. No longer are you restricted to just one photograph per frame; you can even take your digital frame with you where ever you may go. Simply take a photograph on your cell phone, digital camera or webcam and connect your device to the digital photo frame. Many frames even feature memory chips that save your pictures right into the digital photo frame, freeing up your device for other projects. Other devices invite you to store your pictures on secure servers on-line.

Digital photo frames come in a variety of sizes up to 20 inches. You can even clip the smallest digital picture frames to your keychain. Most digital photo frames use JPG format, although some manufacturers now allow for GIF and other formats. The finest digital frames use sophisticated software that allows you to run a slideshow or to add special features like wipes and captions.

Most seven inch digital picture frames display images at 480 x 234 pixels. These images may be stretched to fit the screen, so do expect some problems with aspect ratios. For best results, check the digital picture frame image to be sure the device has not stretched the picture sideways. If it has, crop the picture so the digital frame stretches your subject in a complimentary way. Other images may appear pixilated, or “boxy”, due to problems with resolution. Some digital picture frames put a black border around images or crop pictures.

The digital photo frame market has exploded with new and exciting products. Several major companies now offer digital frames, including Kodak, Sony, Polaroid and Ceiva. The frame is actually a simple, self-contained computer. Each frame contains a CPU, or Central Processing Unit, memory, a modem to connect to the internet, a display and some controls, like brightness and an on/off switch. These small memory chips or computers uses an operating system similar to those used in PDAs and electrical-testing units.

In 2008, some digital picture frames manufactured in China and in Hong Kong were infected with a Trojan horse virus on the product’s internal memory card storage units. There have been no notable security threats with digital photo frames since this incident. Digital frames are now safe, secure and perhaps the easiest way to display all the photographs and still-frames of your life.

History of the curling iron. Is there such a thing or is the curling iron just a modern invention? Each generation is the same. We think we have invented something new when perhaps all we have done is to modify “old inventions” by applying modern technology. Let us begin to investigate the history of the curling iron or, as it is also known, the curling tong.

Let us begin with the definition of a curling iron. It is a tool, a cylindrical metal appliance, used to change the structure of the hair by applying heat to a lock of hair that has been curled around it. It is natural to think with a modern mind and assume that the heat is generated by electricity. However, the curling iron goes way back before the introduction of electricity.

We only have to look at carvings from the ancient world to see that people cared about the style of their hair and that a popular style involved creating curls. Babylonian and Assyrian men dyed their hair and square beards black and crimped and curled them with curling irons. Persian nobles also curled their hair and beards, quite often staining them.

Egyptian nobles, men and women, cropped their hair close but later, for coolness and cleanliness in their hot climate, shaved their heads. On ceremonial occasions, for protection from the sun, they wore wigs. The wigs would be short and curly or long and full of curls or braids. The Science Museum has an example of curling tongs used by rich Egyptians to prepare their wigs.

In classical Greece it is known that the upper classes used curling irons.

Through time there have been many methods devised to curl hair and to keep the curl in place. For example, in 1906 Charles L. Nessler, a German hairdresser working in London, applied a borax paste and curled hair with an iron to produce the first permanent waves. This costly process took twelve hours. Eight years later, Eugene Sutter adapted the method by creating a dryer containing twenty heaters to do the job of waving more efficiently. Sutter was followed by Gaston Boudou, who modified Sutter’s dryer and invented an automatic roller. By 1920, Rambaud, a Paris beautician, had perfected a system of curling and drying permed hair for softer, looser curls by using an electric hot-air dryer, an innovation of the period made by the Racine Universal Motor Company of Racine, Wisconsin. A significant breakthrough came in 1945, when French chemist Eugene Schueller of L’Oréal laboratories combined the action of thioglycolic acid with hydrogen peroxide to produce the first cold permanent wave, which was cheaper and faster than the earlier hot processes. To control the amount of curl, varying diameter of rods were used for rolling. Technology to hold hair in place was advanced in 1960 when L’Oréal laboratories introduced a polymer hair spray to serve as an invisible net.

The curling iron has remained a favoured tool in spite of all the chemical inventions. We have moved on from the metal rods heated by insertion into hot coals or heating on gas or electric stoves. With no control of the heat of the iron there must have been many cases of singed hair, not to mention burnt fingers and scalps! Modern day styles demand more control and flexibility of hair style with hair looking loose rather than “glued into place”. Electrically heated and electronically controlled irons and tongs are now available. The barrels come in varying sizes enabling a tight curl or loose falling curl finish. Some have a smooth easy-glide ceramic barrel to create a super smooth finish and you can also purchase drop curl hair tongs with a cone shaped tong to create loose, tumbling waves and tousled curls. The fluctuation in hair styles from curly to straight and back again means manufacturers will continue to dream up new innovations to attract both professional hair stylists and the consumer.

So who “invented” the curling iron? Inevitably you find many references to “invented” and “patented by” or “introduced by”. The original inventor is lost in the mists of time but examples of the previous sentence are:

In1866, Hiram Maxim, who designed the machine gun bearing his name, applied for and obtained the first of many patents at age 26 for a hair-curling iron.

Four years later in 1890 two Frenchmen, Maurice Lentheric and Marcel Grateau, used hot-air drying and heated curling tongs to make deep, long-lasting Marcel waves.

The Straightening comb however, is actually credited as first being invented by the late 19th century French hairdresser, Marcel Grateau, who also, invented the curling iron, the permanent wave and later the Gillette safety razor which became popular in Germany after World War I.

In related developments, Rene Lelievre and Roger Lemoine invented an electric curling iron in 1959.

The pressing/curling iron was patented by Theora Stephens on October 21, 1980.

In August 1987 the Wahl Clipper Corporation introduced to the professional market the ZeeCurl. This flat-barrel curling iron gave stylists a tool to create new hairstyles with Z-shaped curls, adding texture and body to all types of hair. In 1988, FrenZee, the consumer version, was added.

There is little doubt that fashion will demand and dictate new innovations to ensure continuation of the history of the curling iron.

Rodger Cresswell

Looking for a different idea for your vacation this year? Trying to figure out where a good place would be to go and you feel like you are running out of fun and different ideas? Then why not consider taking your holidays to a place of historical value? Even if you have children vacations to where there are historical sites to visit can be a lot fun and filled with a lot more action than one might imagine.

On top of that they are also very educational. Believe it or not, if you have children they will truly enjoy trying to imagine the scene of a battle or watching an actual reenactment of a battle or some other historical moment in history. Going somewhere that has a lot of history brings history to life and it’s far better than reading about it in history books.

When you start planning for this, sit down with your family members and figure out what time in history, within limits, that you and your family might be interested in experiencing. Do they prefer the Civil War era over the Revolutionary era. Do they prefer all of American history over World history. Would they prefer the times of World War II or the wild west? All of this is important so take note. It will make deciding on a location a lot easier.

After you have done this try and choose one or even two of the different eras that they showed the most interest in and then do some research on different places to go that have things that are associated with these time periods. For instance if the Revolutionary War is of great interest then consider a place like Philadelphia. For those that love the Civil War consider Wilmington Delaware or Gettysburg or Washington DC that has tons of historical museums that should please everyone.

Find out when there will be different events in the locations you are interested in visiting so that you all can experience living history through reenactments, festivals or other types of demonstrations that have historical basis.

Get in touch with different historical societies to find out more about the area and how you can enjoy the history and get involved with it. Make sure to ask when are the months that have less tourists but they still offer the same historical events. This way, you will be able to ask more of your own questions of any guides there might be on tours you mike take. With less people you will be able to receive more personal attention.

Make sure that whatever you plan to see that you find your lodging close to where the historical sites are. You might even want to see if they have campgrounds near the area so that you can get a better feel for what it was like living in the area back in the day.

Another good thing to do is to book yourselves a room at a historical bed and breakfast at your destination. These will not only great places to stay with great service but generally will be decorated in the style of the period and who knows, maybe the room you book will be one that good old George Washington slept in on one of his many journeys.

Lamborghini cars are much-loved by car aficionados around the world. They have excellent performance in terms of speed and built with style. The main characteristics of a Lamborghini cars are its tremendous style and tremendous speed. They are the number one rival of Ferrari. And if you happen to live in Beverly Hills you will likely see a scissor-door Lamborghini at malls , drive thrus and coffee shops. These kind of vehicles are designed exclusively for some customers.

The founder of Lamborghini, Ferruccio Lamborghini, who served with the Air Force mechanics corps with Italy during the World War II. And he was good in working with engines. When World War II was over there was a shortage of tractors. Lamborghini grabbed the opportunity and he bought military machines that were a surplus and changed them to tractors. It was a brilliant idea and his move resulted in a thriving business career as a young entrepreneur. And it made him a very wealthy man very quickly.

The tractor business of Lamborghini became more successful during 1950 and they expanded to heater and air conditioning business and was even a more flourishing business. Lamborghini was a car lover and he had a lot of sports car that were considered the best at that time. And because of his frustration of Ferrari cars he built a car that was more better from the Ferraris. He built a state of the art automotive factory in the small village of Sant’Agata. And his automotive engineer was Giotto Bizzarrini who worked with Ferrari before. The tractor business also faced hard times during the early 70’s that led Lamborghini to sell his controlling interest of Automobili Lamborghini SpA to a Swiss industrialist. When the oil crisis came his problems worsened and led him to sell his shares that were left. But after ten years Lamborghini declared bankruptcy because the development of the military truck style Cheetah were not selling well.