Refresh for new random facts
1. Contrary to common belief, the name Haagen-Dazs is not European, it is simply two made-up words meant to look European
2. Cadillac was named after the 18th century French explorer Antoine Laumet de la Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, founder of Detroit, Michigan.
3. Henry Ford invented the charcoal briquettes that are commonly used by the grilling enthusiasts of today, to make use of scrap wood left over in the manufacture of the Model T.
4. Producers of American whiskey originated the term "brand name," because they branded their names on the barrels they shipped out.
5. The waterproof disposable diaper was first invented in 1951 by Marion Donovan, using only a sewing machine and a shower curtain.
6. William Randolph Hearst's father struck it rich mining silver and gold in Nevada in 1859 and had the largest private mining firm in the U.S. The HBO show Deadwood was based on one of his mines.
7. Fortune cookies were invented in America, in 1918, by Charles Jung.
8. Diners Club issued its first card to only two hundred customers and it could only be used at twenty seven restaurants in New York City.
9. Xerox inventor Chestor Carlson, named his product for the dry copying technique that he invented. The Greek root `xer' means dry.
10. Sara Lee is named for the daughter of Chicago bakery owner Charles Lubvin. He first named a cheesecake after his daughter, then in 1951 his company.
When me and old Abe used to sit by the fire he would tell me the darndest tales about this great land of ours.
