The Slightly Gross Origins Of Lipstick

Samantha — Sat, 17 May 2008 07:10:14 -0700

Both women and men can recognize a tube of lipstick. It likely hasn't changed much in recent years - Same tube, same general appearance, same method of application. But did you know that the history of lipstick is filled with things like crushed beetles?

April Showers Bring Innovation - the History of Windshield Wipers

Samantha — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:10:29 -0700

For many people, the arrival of spring also means the arrival of rain. This is something we are used to and it's hard to imagine normal levels of rain keeping us from our daily errands. But until the invention of windshield wipers, drivers caught in a spring shower would be a little stuck.

Seven Innovations in Coffee History

Samantha — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 06:58:59 -0700

The invention of coffee isn't credited to a single person or time. However, since the realization that consuming coffee beans makes people energized and happy, there have been a series of historical innovations that we couldn't imagine living without today.

The Paper Dress - History of a Ready to Tear Invention

Samantha — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:54:20 -0800

The 1960s were a remarkable period in history for many reasons, and the invention of new fashion ideas was one of them. Some are still around today, such as the mini skirt, but there was one fad from the '60s that we may never see again - the paper dress.

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Three Unusual Inventions for Your Head

Samantha — Fri, 02 May 2008 03:30:16 -0700

Many strange things in history have been invented to make a task easier or to just have some fun. Here are three such inventions - all unusual and designed for problems of the head.

Earliest Known Sound Recording Discovered

Samantha — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 23:04:55 -0700

Thomas Edison has long been credited for the invention of sound recording, thanks to his phonograph. However, researchers have recently discovered a a 10-second recording that was created 17 years before the phonograph was invented. It is believed to be history's earliest recording of sound.

Three Famous Things Invented by Accident - Slinky, Silly Putty and the Popsicle

Samantha — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:26:53 -0700

The creation of the next hot toy or snack is often a long one, involving lots of time and market research. But did you know that the ever-popular Silly Putty, the Slinky and the Popsicle were all invented accidentally?

The History of Father's Day

Samantha — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:58:17 -0700

Many of us have grown up celebrating Father's Day: giving Dad a card, making him breakfast or creating something handmade in school. But when did all this start? Let's look at the invention story of Father's Day.

On April 25, We Commemorate The Invention Of The Guillotine

Samantha — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:09:48 -0700

On this day in 1792, the infamous guillotine claimed its first victim - a robber named Jacques Nicolas Pelletier. The guillotine remained France's number one method of execution for the next 189 years. To commemorate the role Pelletier played in history, let's take a look at the invention of the guillotine.

The History of the Bikini - the World's Skimpiest Invention

Samantha — Thu, 29 May 2008 20:23:03 -0700

About two hundred years ago, women pranced around on beaches wearing flannel dresses and three-quarter length trousers. In that period in history when showing one's knees was considered scandalous, it might have come as a shock to these women that their descendants would be sporting the skimpiest invention of all - the bikini.

The History of Beer - Summer's Favourite Invention

Samantha — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:24:43 -0700

With summer gearing up, billions of people around the world are undoubtedly turning to a frosty, refreshing mug of beer. Not only is beer popular today, but it also has historical significance. Since its invention in ancient times, beer has been a favourite drink around the world.

Marketing With a Conscience - 7 Great Ads Promoting Social Change

Samantha — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:28:47 -0700

Sometimes advertising isn't about selling a product, but promoting an idea. Here are seven remarkable ads promoting social and environmental awareness.

The Wonderbra: History of the Fifth Greatest Canadian Invention

Samantha — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 03:22:28 -0800

Our Guest Blogger, Samantha Marcelo, is a freelance and fiction writer living in Calgary, Alberta. Samantha has a keen interest in all things history-related, and wanted to share some remarkable historical inventions with the readers of InventorSpot.com.

Here's her article:

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Last year, the CBC here in Canada asked its viewers to vote on the greatest Canadian invention of all time. Among the fifty items on the shortlist were the pacemaker, basketball and the alkaline battery. Yet, the item that ranked higher than all of those three was the humble Wonderbra. read more »

The History of Dad's Favourite Father's Day Gifts

Samantha — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:58:04 -0700

Most of us have relied on the old standards for Father's Day Gifts. Whose dad doesn't have a Father's Day tie, wallet or pair of socks? Let's take a look at the invention stories of these favourite Father's Day Gifts:

Three Coffee Napkin Ads That Jolt You With Their Beauty

Samantha — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:38:32 -0700

In New Zealand, a series of artistic ads were created for a local coffee company. Ten artists created 30 pieces of art - all made using coffee napkins. The ads were displayed in bus shelters along an Auckland Street. The effect was a series of mini art galleries to promote coffee.

Giant Athletes "Dream Big" to Promote Football

Samantha — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:00:57 -0700

Giant football players greet commuters at a Zurich train station. Why are they there? At 17 metres high, they're there to represent "dreaming big" in the UEFA EURO 2008 tournament.

Interactive Ads For The Zoo Unleash Your Wild Side

Samantha — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:49:47 -0700

A series of fun and interactive ads encourage people around San Francisco to unleash their wild sides.

Exploding Billboards Make For Innovative Marketing

Samantha — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 05:00:17 -0700

This remarkable billboard was designed for a courier company. To underscore the importance of sticking to a deadline, the billboard, in a busy part of Auckland, was rigged to explode at a particular time.

The Best Olympics Ad Campaigns from Around The World?

Samantha — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:25:58 -0700

Countries around the world are gearing up for the upcoming Olympic games, and one way to show athletes that their country is behind them is through advertising. Here are some creative ads done in China, France and Italy to show the Olympic spirit:

When Big Is Better: Five Smart Larger-Than-Life Ads

Samantha — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:22:54 -0700

Sometimes it takes a large or outlandish ad to get noticed. Here are five examples of innovative larger-than-life advertising, installed in untraditional spaces, that are sure to attract attention.

10 Innovative Uses of Semi Trucks

Samantha — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:55:59 -0700

Germany's Rhino Rolling Advertising Awards are a display of creative marketing. Companies and agencies submit their best mockup showcasing innovative advertising ideas on the sides of trucks. The competition was held in 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08, and a 2009 competition is coming soon. Here are some highlights of the creative ads.

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Applauding Bus Shelters - Innovative Marketing?

Samantha — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:21:00 -0700

What better way to reward environmentally-friendly acts than with applause? That's what Western Australia's Department of Environment and Conservation achieved with its applauding bus shelter, created byMarketforce agency in Perth. Several shelters around Perth's Central Business District (CBD) were equipped with motion detectors that played recorded applause whenever someone stepped inside.

New Travel Ad Campaign Highlights Reliability

Samantha — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:16:28 -0700

An innovative new ad campaign for Cox & Kings Travel focuses on the company's longevity in the hopes of building trust in its services.

From Holy Water to Firewood - The History of the Vending Machine

Samantha — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:23:01 -0700

Recently, a resident of Lacombe, Alberta was honoured with an award for his invention: a vending machine that dispenses firewood. James West, who sells firewood seasonally, invented this machine so that campers won't have to rely on wood lot hours. West's creation is another innovation in the history of vending machines, which have dispensed treats such as candy, coffee, toys - even holy water.

The History of the Parasol: Fashion's Newest - and Oldest - Trend

Samantha — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 22:22:45 -0700

A new item on runways this spring is, unsurprisingly for the fashion world, not quite so new. The parasol is being touted as the must-have accessory for spring and the return of sunshine, but this trend is dipping back into history by thousands of years.

The Crossword Puzzle: A Wordy History

Samantha — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:45:52 -0800

It's rare today to open a newspaper or visit an airport book store without encountering the omnipresent crossword puzzle. Ranging in skill level from easy to unbelievable genius, the crossword puzzle is arguably the world's most popular word game - a fate its inventor probably didn't consider.

The Artificial Albatross - History of an Early Flying Machine

Samantha — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:07:17 -0700

History is littered with attempts at aviation, performed by people eager to soar as high and as gracefully as birds. One flying machine was inspired by birds so much that its inventor named his creation after one. L'Albatros artificiel, or the Artificial Albatross, was a glider invented by Jean-Marie Le Bris in 1856.