This week in history 5 I learned about salt and pepper shakers, the mason jar and pencil erasers.
The first thing I learned about this week was salt and pepper shakers. Salt and pepper have been valued for a long time, they were placed on tables as the seasonings for food. John Mason invented the salt and pepper shakers in 1858. They were made of glass jars with screw top lids and holes punched in the top for easy sprinkling of spices on food. Manufacturers avoided making them until Masons patent expired, which triggered a renewed interest. Their convenience increased the demand of salt and pepper, which are basic components of the modern diet.
The second thing I learned about was the mason jar. Various methods of food preservation have been used over the years, such as curing and pickling. John Mason’s jar was patented in 1858 and was primarily intended to be used for the canning process. Mason jars are made of glass with a screw-top and a metal led which improves the safety of home canning. They became popular among American settlers and during the World Wars. Home canning allows families to store fruits and vegetables grown in their gardens for a very long time.
The third thing I learned about this week was the pencil eraser Bread was used as an eraser until rubber was discovered to work better in the late 1700s. Hyman Lipman combined the pencil and eraser to invent the pencil eraser in 1858 It’s an immensely convenient tool that allows a writer to quickly erase their mistakes and keep on writing. It was publisized through a Supreme Court for pencil manufacturers. They are standard tools in classrooms and college, and they illustrate how well the free market works.
The most interesting thing I learned about this week was the salt and pepper shakers because it helped keep the spices clean and easier to use.
This week in history I learned about inventions that helped with seasoning food, canning, storing and school/ office supplies.
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