History

Why is bowling called bowling? Entries linking to bowling. (implied in bowlyn), from gerund of bowl “”wooden ball”” (early 15c.), from Old French bole (13c., Modern French boule) “”ball,”” ultimately from Latin. “”to roll a ball on the ground,”” typically as part of a game or contest, mid-15c., from bowl “”wooden ball”” (see bowls). Read … Read more

What caused the Civil War? What led to the outbreak of the bloodiest conflict in the history of North America? A common explanation is that the Civil War was fought over the moral issue of slavery. In fact, it was the economics of slavery and political control of that system that was central to the … Read more

What was the first Pop It ever made? The first item the company ever created was the Big Boy bobblehead. Read more on www.entertainmentearth.com A fidget gadget that has become very popular recently is called Pop It. It is a silicone-based toy with tiny, poppable protrusions that resemble bubbles. Have you ever wondered how the … Read more

Who invented fidget spinner? Catherine Hettinger After the recent boom in the sales of this toy, a few US newspapers claimed to have found the original inventor, Catherine Hettinger, a woman living in Orlando, USA. She held the patent on “”a spinning toy”” for 8 years since January 1997 until she had to abandon the … Read more

When did antiques become a thing? They determined objects that predated mass production of the 1830s, and thus were 100 years old, should be considered antiques. The 100-year threshold became the benchmark for an item to be legally considered an antique, or to be duty-free when brought into the United States. Read more on www.encyclopedia.com … Read more

Why is Des Moines named after monks? The monks lived in huts at the American Bottom at the mouth of the river. Explorers decided to name the river that ran through this area Riviere des Moines which translates to “”river of monks.”” Many feel our city was named after that river since it flowed through … Read more

Why are bars called speakeasy? Where did the name “”speakeasy”” come from? Speakeasies received their name from police officers who had trouble locating the bars due to the fact that people tended to speak quietly while inside the bars. Speakeasies received their name from bartenders who requested that patrons “”speak easy”” while inside the bars. … Read more

Who invented the circus tent? Joshuah Purdy Brown The American Traveling Circus. In 1825, Joshuah Purdy Brown (1802?-1834) became the first circus entrepreneur to replace the usual wooden construction. Also known as a “”semi-construction.”” with a full canvas tent, a system that had become commonplace by the mid-1830s. Read more on www.circopedia.org The circus tent, … Read more

Why did USA Buy Alaska? Russia offered to sell Alaska to the United States in 1859, believing the United States would off-set the designs of Russia’s greatest rival in the Pacific, Great Britain. This purchase ended Russia’s presence in North America and ensured U.S. access to the Pacific northern rim. Read more on history.state.gov Alaska … Read more

What were the illegal bars and saloons called? A speakeasy is an establishment that sells alcoholic beverages illegally. They became widespread in the United States during the Prohibition era from 1920 to 1933. Read more on home.binwise.com Alcoholic beverages could not be produced, transported, or sold in the US during the Prohibition Era, which lasted … Read more