Chapter 1
Wardrobe and wearable wonders
Chapter 2
Hidden anatomy of the human body
Chapter 3
Household items and design details
Chapter 4
Symbols, typography, and text
YOUR GOAL
Master of Secret names of everyday things
Ch 3 · Household items and design details
schopenhauer The Coffee Sleeve Zarf
Don't burn your fingers on your morning brew, A cardboard zarf is there to rescue you.
schopenhauer The wire cage that fits over the cork of a sparkling wine bottle is called a muselet.
schopenhauer The three-legged plastic device placed in the center of a pizza box is a pizza saver.
BETA
schopenhauer Match unique names to common objects to discover the secret history of everyday wonders.
Fun Fact
Pizza savers: Carmela Vitale's 1985 patent for the pizza saver was originally called a 'package saver' and had no mention of pizza.
Glossary
punt (noun)
The hollow indentation at the bottom of a wine bottle. In the 1630s, Kenelm Digby included this structural detail to strengthen his early glass wine bottles.
The hollow indentation at the bottom of a wine bottle. In the 1630s, Kenelm Digby included this structural detail to strengthen his early glass wine bottles.
Quiz
What is the official name of the concave indentation at the bottom of a wine bottle?
Quiz
What material was used to secure champagne corks before Adolphe Jacquesson invented the wire muselet in 1844?
Quiz
What 19th-century theatrical figure inspired the name of the candle drip catcher?