Things we take for granted in our daily lives.
But they are so commonplace and everyday that we often forget how they were made and how they came to be with us.
We take these things for granted because they are so commonplace around us, but if you look closely, you'll find that each of them has its own story and has come to be by our side after countless trials and errors.
This book contains the birth and evolution of objects, places, and concepts that have become so commonplace, as well as the episodes that led to their creation.

There are several theories about the origin of the baguette.
It is said that the baguette originated in the early 19th century, when Napoleon was active, and he invented a thin, long bread so that soldiers could carry bread in their trouser pockets while marching.
There is also a story that the baguette originated in the 1920s, when the word baguette began to be used, in connection with French labor law.
In 1920, France implemented a labor law prohibiting bakers from working between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. to prevent them from working too hard.
Bakers used to work through the night to make large, round loaves of bread in time for breakfast, but after the labor laws were enacted, they could no longer bake conventional bread before breakfast time.
So, it is said that bakers made the shape of the bread thinner and longer to shorten the baking time.
Bread made this way was called a baguette, which means 'stick'.
--- p.26

Beyond the ancients, when you think of people who wore wigs, don't you think of European musicians with curly hair? Musicians wore wigs because they were very popular at the time.
In the late 16th century, French kings wore wigs to cover their baldness, and this style spread widely among royalty and nobility in other countries, making the 17th and 18th centuries the era of wigs.
During this period, a variety of wigs appeared, including large, voluminous wigs to indicate the authority of the upper classes, lightweight travel and sports wigs, wigs worn by lawyers and doctors, and wigs with many ornaments for women.
Additionally, hair powder made from wheat flour was sprinkled on the wig to give it color and fragrance.

--- p.45

Looking at the design of the trench coat, there are straps on the shoulders and sleeves and a belt at the waist.
These elements are evidence that trench coats were actually used during the war.
The shoulder straps were for carrying a telescope or water bottle, and the sleeve straps were for rolling up the sleeves and securing them when digging trenches.
The belt at the waist was made to keep the clothes tight when the wind and rain came.
Even after the war, trench coats were favored by those who enjoyed exploration and outdoor activities, and even now, after a long time, they remain a favorite garment for many people to wear in the fall.

--- p.66

Later, in the 19th century, several inventors promoted washing machines by demonstrating their washing performance at exhibitions.
Representative inventors include James King, who developed the rotating laundry tub, the origin of the drum-type washing machine; Hamilton Smith, who developed the reverse-rotating laundry tub to prevent clothes from getting tangled; Margaret Colvin, who developed a rotating washing machine that could clean 20 shirts in just 5 minutes; and William Blackstone, who developed a washing machine for home use for his wife. Each inventor created a variety of washing machines.
Following this development, a washing machine branded 'Women's Friend' was sold around 1890, which helped reduce the burden of housework on women.
However, since there was no water supply device to fill the washing machine with water, I had to pour water into the washing machine drum with a bucket, and when I finished rinsing, I had to scoop out the water myself.

--- p.80

The information exchanged at the coffee house was very diverse.
Scientists such as Isaac Newton and Robert Boyle, who were regulars at the coffee house, gathered there to discuss natural science, while at Lloyd's Coffee House, where sailors and merchants gathered, they discussed marine insurance.
In particular, the company created by the people who were talking at Lloyd's is the British insurance company Lloyd's.
In addition, Jonathan's Coffee House in England is famous for serving as a stock exchange, sharing stock information and even handling stock transactions.

--- p.141