Monthly Archives: June 2023

Taylor Swift’s Economic Impact

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Taylor Swift is not only a pop superstar, but also a powerful economic force. Her latest tour, The Eras Tour, has become one of the most successful and impactful tours of all time, generating billions of dollars for the local economies of the cities she visits. Here’s how Swift’s tour is boosting consumer spending, creating jobs, and supporting various industries across the United States.

The Eras Tour is a unique musical experience that showcases Swift’s entire discography, from her debut album Taylor Swift to her latest release. Fans can choose which era they want to see live or attend multiple shows to witness the evolution of Swift’s artistry. The tour has been met with unprecedented demand, selling out stadiums and breaking records.

According to Forbes, The Eras Tour has the potential to generate a staggering $4.6 billion in consumer spending in the United States alone. This figure is based on a data report from research company QuestionPro, which surveyed fans attending the shows and estimated their spending on various aspects, such as tickets, travel, accommodation, food, clothing, and merchandise.

The Eras Tour is not only benefiting Swift and her team but also the local businesses and communities in the cities she performs. Fans are not just attending the shows, they are making a whole trip out of it, contributing to the tourism and hospitality sectors.

For example, Swift’s upcoming shows in Cincinnati are expected to have a massive economic impact of $48 million, according to data from the Cincinnati Regional Chamber and Visit Cincy. The majority of the spending is expected to be seen in the downtown area, but businesses from across the region will see a boost in revenue. Similarly, Swift’s shows in Chicago are expected to spin up $50 million for the local economy, according to data from Choose Chicago and World Business Chicago.

The Eras Tour is also creating jobs and supporting various industries that are involved in producing and delivering concerts. These include transportation, security, catering, stage design, lighting, sound, merchandising, and more. According to CBC News, Swift’s tour employs about 200 people directly and another 600 indirectly at each venue. The tour also supports local artists and musicians who open for Swift or join her on stage as special guests.

The Eras Tour is a testament to Swift’s influence and impact as an artist and a businesswoman. She has created a cultural phenomenon that transcends music and stimulates the economy. As economist Brett House said, “Taylor Swift is a real representative, along with the Eras Tour, of the huge consumer spending power that still exists out there.”

Home Economics

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Home economics, also known as family and consumer sciences, is a field of study that deals with managing household and family affairs, such as cooking, nutrition, budgeting, child care, sewing, and more. The term “home economics” was coined in 1899 by the American Home Economics Association, which later became the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

The origins of home economics can be traced back to the 19th century when women’s education was expanding and social reform movements were advocating for better living conditions for families. Home economics emerged as a way to teach women practical skills and scientific knowledge that could improve their domestic lives and contribute to social welfare. Some of the pioneers of home economics were Ellen Swallow Richards, who founded the first laboratory for sanitary chemistry at MIT; Catharine Beecher, who promoted domestic education for women; and Martha Van Rensselaer and Flora Rose, who established the first college-level home economics department at Cornell University, and Margaret Murray Washington, principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, later known as Tuskegee University (and was married to the school’s founder and president, Booker T. Washington).

Home economics became a popular subject in schools and colleges across America in the early 20th century, especially after World War I and the Great Depression, when families faced economic hardships and food shortages. Home economics courses taught students how to prepare nutritious meals, preserve food, make clothing, manage finances, and practice hygiene. Home economics also played a role in social movements such as women’s suffrage, civil rights, and environmentalism, as home economists advocated for women’s rights, racial equality, and the conservation of natural resources.

In the second half of the 20th century, home economics underwent several changes and challenges. As more women entered the workforce and pursued higher education, home economics expanded its scope to include career development, consumer education, family relations, and human development. Home economics also faced criticism from some feminists who argued that it reinforced traditional gender roles and stereotypes. In response, home economists revised their curriculum and pedagogy to reflect the diversity and complexity of contemporary families and consumers.

In the 21st century, home economics continues to evolve and adapt to society’s changing needs and interests. Home economics has embraced new technologies such as computers, the internet, and social media, which have transformed the way people communicate, learn, shop, and manage their households. Home economics has also addressed new issues such as globalization, sustainability, health care, aging, and diversity. In 2023, home economics celebrates its 124th anniversary as a field of study that aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities.

Source: “The Secret History of Home Economics: How Trailblazing Women Harnessed the Power of Home and Changed the Way We Live” by Danielle Dreilinger


Seven Whole Grains (and what they’re about)

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Whole grains (containing the bran, germ, and endosperm) may initially come off as very intimidating, but they’re super easy to cook, along with an abundance of great health benefits.

They will:

Help keep your blood pressure low

Keep you feeling full (because they take longer to digest) and are good for those on a diet; you’ll eat less

Keep blood sugar levels in check

Pick up flavors from whatever they’re cooked in

And they’re inexpensive (for the most part)!

Many, like teff and quinoa, cook in only 15-20 minutes. 

The longer-cooking ones can be cooked in bulk, then refrigerated for up to five days or frozen, then quickly reheated.

Want to shorten the cooking time for the long-cooking ones? Except for brown and wild rice, soak them in the fridge overnight, then drain and cook in fresh water or other liquids, if preferred.

Here’s a look at:

Barley-This whole grain comes in two varieties: Hulled and pearl. Hulled barley (also known as barley groats) has only the outermost hull removed and has a higher fiber content than pearl barley. It takes about an hour to cook (but the time can be shortened by soaking for a few hours before cooking; be sure to drain the soaking water and use fresh to cook). This will be chewy and very starchy.

The pearl version has both its outer layer and the bran removed; it’s also chewy, but not as nutritious as hulled. This version is usually on the grocery shelf, partly because it takes less time to cook (about 35-45 minutes). If a recipe mentions barley, but doesn’t specify, go for pearl (hulled will take longer and may require more liquid).

To Cook: Either type needs to be cooked in lots of water (like pasta). One cup will produce about 3 cups cooked. Barley will soak up liquid like a sponge; if you make it in advance, more liquid will be needed at cooking time. 

Brown rice is the first whole grain for many Americans. There are short, medium, and long-grain varieties (the long version needs more liquid for cooking). The hull’s removed, but the germ and bran remain, making brown more nutritious than white rice; but bear in mind that white rice has been fortified to make up for its hull removal.

To Cook: Bring 2 and a half cups of liquid to a boil, add 1 cup of brown rice, cover, and simmer for about 45 minutes until tender. Or, cook this like pasta; in lots of water, then drain in a colander (cooking time’s about 25 minutes). This will make about 3 cups. 

The cooked rice can be mixed with sesame oil, ginger, and onions, topped with a fried egg, for example.

Did You Know That…..

Brown rice can also be used as a salad, with dried nuts and fruit added to any soup that has broth.

Bulgur-This particular grain hardly needs any cooking. 

Ever had tabbouleh? You’ve had bulgur! 

The texture’s similar to ground beef; after it’s been soaked and drained, it can be used to stretch out meatloaf, sloppy joes, meatballs, and chili.  It can be stuffed with corn in summer tomatoes, or mixed with cooked lentils in tomato sauce. 

To Cook: Soak for 30-45 minutes in enough boiling water to cover will result in ready-to-eat wheat kernels. Once they’re soaked, drain well. One cup=about 3 cups cooked.

Quinoa hails from South America and is valued for its high protein. There are white, red, and black varieties. All have an earthy, somewhat herbal taste, but the red and black have a fuller flavor.

Did You Know That…..

Quinoa seeds (that’s what they are) have a saponin coating. It’s bitter; in the wild, it prevents birds and animals from eating them. Packaged quinoa has this coating removed, but many recipes will tell you to rinse out the quinoa regardless. You don’t have to.

To Cook: Bring 2 cups of liquid to boiling, add 1 cup of quinoa, cover, then simmer for 15-20 minutes. The result will be about 3 cups of quinoa.

This ancient grain can also be used in a salad (with tomatoes, seasonings, olive oil or other dressings, and grated cheese).

Teff-This is another ancient grain that was originally cultivated in Africa, but is now grown in many parts of the world, including the U.S. These poppy seed size grains range in color from ivory to reddish-brown, are gluten-free, and high in vitamin C and calcium. 

The cooked texture is close to melt-in-your-mouth and moist. The flavor’s both sweet and bitter, but the ivory flavor’s milder than the brown.

To Cook: Bring 3 cups of liquid to boiling, add 1 cup of teff (which will produce about 2 and a half cups), cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes until all the liquid has been absorbed. This can be eaten “as is” with syrup for breakfast, stirred into a stew, blended into pancake batter, or made into a pilaf.

Wheat berries don’t really need a soaking (although an overnight one cuts cooking time by about 15 minutes); they’re not as hard. The flavor’s slightly sweet, nutty, and crisp, chewy.

To Cook: Bring 3 cups of liquid to boiling, add 1 cup of wheat berries (resulting in 2 and a half cups), cover, and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Cooked wheat berries can be added to soups and stews, or tossed while still hot (in a lemon-flavored dressing) with grilled vegetables, then added to salad.

Wild rice-This particular grain is actually a grass and is the only North American one (in its uncultivated state, the wild rice originally grew in wetlands and was hand-harvested by canoe in the Great Lakes region and Canada. In certain parts of the country, it still grows uncultivated). Within Oregon and California, it grows in a cultivated state. Wild rice contains bran, germ, and endosperm; it takes longer to cook than white rice. There’s a chewy texture and a nutty flavor when cooked.

To Cook: Cook this like pasta, with a lot of boiling water, for 45 minutes to 1 hour, then drain. One cup=3 and a half cups.

Wild rice can be combined with brown rice to make stuffing, as a side dish with mushrooms or other vegetables, stirred into soup broth, or used in a salad (with fruit and nuts if preferred).

Additional Info:

  • Using a large, heavy-bottomed pot will avoid scorching and a starchy runover.
  • Making a salad? Put the dressing on the grains while still warm; The dressing will absorb better.
  • Adding salt while cooking will bring out the flavor! To also heighten flavor, grains can be cooked in broth or other liquids.
  • Don’t worry if the grains need more liquid or take longer to cook than a recipe states (you may not know how old the grains are). The cooking time for grains starts when the liquid they’re cooked in returns to a boil.
  • Properly cooked grains will have a chewy texture, not pasty or crunchy.
  • Grains will cost less if you buy them in bulk; store any extras in the fridge or freezer.
  • “Barley” in Italian is orzo (referring to the grain); due to its starchy texture, it can be used to make orzotto.

Sources: “With The Grain” by SandyG-All Recipes magazine, date unknown

TV Commercials: A Brief History

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Television commercials are a form of advertising that use short videos to promote a product, service, or idea. They are one of the most common and influential types of media in our society, reaching millions of viewers every day. But how did they start and how have they changed over time? Here’s a brief history:

The first TV commercial in the world was aired in 1941 in the United States, before a baseball game between the Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies. It was a 60-second spot for Bulova watches, showing their logo and slogan “America runs on Bulova time“. The company paid only $9 for this historic ad.

In 1955, TV advertising began in Britain, with the first commercial being for Gibbs SR toothpaste. It was broadcast on ITV, the first commercial television network in the UK. The ad featured a catchy jingle and a smiling man brushing his teeth.

In the 1960s, TV commercials became more creative and sophisticated, using catchy slogans, jingles, celebrities, and humor to attract viewers’ attention. Some of the most iconic campaigns of this decade include Coca-Cola’s “Things Go Better with Coke“, Volkswagen’s “Think Small“, and Avis‘ “We Try Harder“.

In the 1970s, TV commercials became more diverse and socially conscious, reflecting the changing values and attitudes of society. Some of the ads that addressed social issues such as racism, sexism, and environmentalism include Coca-Cola’s “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing“, Virginia Slims‘ “You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby“, and Keep America Beautiful’s “Crying Indian“.

In the 1980s, TV commercials became more competitive and aggressive, using comparative advertising, testimonials, and endorsements to persuade viewers to buy their products. Some of the ads that used these strategies include Apple’s “1984“, Pepsi’s “The Choice of a New Generation“, and Nike’s “Just Do It“.

In the 1990s, TV commercials became more interactive and engaging, using technologies such as digital effects, animation, and computer graphics to create stunning visuals and stories. Some of the ads that used these innovations include Budweiser’s “Frogs“, Energizer’s “Bunny“, and Reebok’s “Terry Tate: Office Linebacker“.

In the 2000s, TV commercials became more integrated and personalized, using platforms such as social media, online video, and mobile devices to reach targeted audiences and create viral campaigns. Some of the ads that used these channels include Dove’s “Real Beauty“, Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like“, Burger King’s “Subservient Chicken“, “Puppy Love” by Budweiser, and “The Force” by Volkswagon.

Today, TV commercials are still evolving and adapting to the changing media landscape and consumer preferences. They are using new formats such as interactive, addressable, and native ads to deliver relevant and customized messages to viewers. They also use new metrics such as engagement, sentiment, and conversion to measure their effectiveness.

TV commercials have come a long way since their humble beginnings in 1941. They have become an integral part of our culture and society, influencing our tastes, opinions, and behaviors. They have also become an art form in their own right, showcasing creativity, innovation, and storytelling.

Culinary Milestones, Herbs, and Spices

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1902-Campbell’s Soups expanded its product line to 21 varieties-for the next 30 years.

Also, the National Biscuit Company (later better known as Nabisco) introduces Barnum’s Animals (P.T. Barnum had no connection to this product nor did he receive any pay for the use of his name)-those animal-shaped cookies in a box designed to look like a cage. The string attached to the box is intended to make it easy to hang on a Christmas tree.

And in Philadelphia, then New York, the first food automat opened (a self-service eatery).

In 1906, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes were invented.

In 1908, James L. Kraft launched a wholesale cheese business in Chicago.

1916-Piggly-Wiggly, the first self-service grocery store was founded by Clarence Saunders in Memphis, Tennessee.

Also, fortune cookies are introduced to the world by David Jung, a Los Angeles noodle maker.

In 1930, The Continental Baking Company changes the course of commercial bread products forever when it introduces loaves cut into slices.

Also, the Birds Eye label appears with the official intro of commercially packaged frozen food, named for scientist Clarence Birdseye, who perfected the method.

1931-Twinkies debuted!

Also, Bisquick.

1933-Kraft Caramels debuted.

1934-Ritz Crackers debuted.

1937-Kraft macaroni and cheese dinners debuted.

In 1941, General Mills launched Cheerioats; four years later, the product was renamed as Cherrios.

In 1942, America’s first yogurt company, Dannon, was founded.

Also, in Jan. of that year, the U.S. government began food rationing.

1945-A patent was filed for the process of cooking food with microwaves.

1946-The National School Lunch Act is passed to help raise the dietary standards of children, especially those from economically hit families.

Also, the U.S. government lifts restrictions on rationed items.

In 1947, Redi-Whip debuted.

In 1949, General Mills and Pillsbury began selling instant cake mix.

Also, the first Pillsbury Bakeoff “rises” at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. It was originally called the “Grand National Recipe and Baking Contest.”

1950-Earl Tupper decided to sell his plastic kitchen containers directly to consumers by way of “Tupperware parties.”

Also, high school dropout William Rosenberg opened a small doughnut and coffee shop in Quincy, Massachusetts called Dunkin’ Donuts. He licensed the first of many franchises in 1955.

1951-Health officials recommended the fluoridation of public drinking water as a means of reducing tooth decay.

1963-Schlitz began selling their beer in the new tab-opening aluminum cans.

Also, Ronald McDonald made his first TV appearance (played by Willard Scott).

And the Oscar Mayer “Weiner Jingle” debuted on the radio.

In 1964, the first Arby’s fast-food restaurant opened.

1970-Hamburger Helper debuted.

Also, Eggo Waffles debuted.

Did You Know That…..

Geese are anatomically different from other poultry.

It was Thomas Jefferson who brought the early American forerunner of macaroni and cheese to the U.S.

Okra has always been very popular in the American South and especially in Creole recipes.

Herbs and Spices: What Goes Best With What Food

Allspice-Pot roast, fish, eggs, pickles, sweet potatoes, squash, and fruit.

Basil-Tomatoes, noodles, rice, beef stew, pork, meatloaf, duck, fish, veal, green or vegetable salad, eggplant, potatoes, carrots, spinach, peas, eggs, cheese, and jelly.

Cayenne pepper-Pickles, vegetables, cheese, eggs, fish, chicken, pizza, spaghetti, and meat dishes.

Chili powder-Eggplant, corn, bean casseroles, chili (of course!), cheese, marinades for meat, chicken, meatloaf, stews, egg dishes, dips, tomato, or BBQ sauces.

Cinnamon-Beverages, bakery products, fruits, pickles, pork, ham, lamb or beef stews, roast lamb, and chicken.

Garlic-Tomato dishes, soups, dips, sauces, salads, salad dressings, dill pickles, meat, poultry, fish, stews, marinades, and bread.

Ginger-Asian dishes, soups, beverages, fish, poultry, veal, pork, lamb, beef, baked products, vegetables, baked or stewed fruits, conserves, and pickles.

Nutmeg-Conserves, pickles, vegetables, eggs, seafood, chicken, fruits, baked products, puddings, and hot beverages.

Onion powder-Dips, soups, stews, all meats, fish, poultry, salads, vegetables, stuffing, cheese dishes, egg dishes, bread, and rice dishes. Using Onion salt? Reduce the amount of salt in the recipe.

Oregano-Tomatoes, pasta sauces, pizza, chili con carne, BBQ sauce, vegetable soup, egg and cheese dishes, onions, stuffing, pork, lamb, chicken, and fish.

Paprika-Pickles, vegetables with no color, cheese dishes, egg dishes, poultry, fish, game, sausage, lamb, veal, pork, and beef.

Red Pepper-BBQ’d beef and pork, tamale pie, dips, curried dishes, spaghetti sauce, vegetables, poultry, pickles, sauces, cheese dishes, soups, and meat.

Rosemary-Lamb, poultry, veal, beef, pork, fish, soups, stews, marinades, potatoes, cauliflower, spinach, mushrooms, turnips, fruits, and bread.

Sage-Potatoes, cheese, tomatoes, eggplant, onions, lima beans, marinades, veal, pork, beef, fish, poultry, chowders, soups, sauces, stuffings for poultry, fish, and other meats.

Thyme-Vegetables, fish, poultry, and meat.

Vanilla-Baked goods, beverages, and puddings.

Additional Info

Spices are the parts of plants, like the dried seeds, buds, fruit or flower, and plant bark or roots; they’re usually of tropical origin.

 Herbs are from the leafy parts.

Spices can be sold in whole or ground form. Both spices and herbs should be stored in a cool, dry place in air-tight containers; always tightly close the container after each use. Under favorable conditions, spices will keep for up to 6 months; whole spices will keep almost indefinitely.

Herbs will lose flavor more rapidly (than ground pepper, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon). But if properly stored, they’ll keep for several months.

Ground spices can be added about 15 minutes before the end of the cooking process; whole spices are best in slow-cooking dishes (like stew), so they can be added at the beginning of the cooking process.

Source: “United States Department of Agriculture-“Seasoning With Spices And Herbs” Fact Sheet-December 1978

Little-Known Business Facts: Did You Know That….., Part 2

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Celebrities and Notable People

Walter Cavanaugh, “Mr. Plastic Fantastic“, has 1,497 different valid credit cards.

In 1988, Michael Jackson earned an estimated $60 million dollars.

Over 450 million copies of author Barbara Cartland’s books have been sold-a record.

When he died, Elvis Presley’s estate was valued at $10 million dollars.

Former Yippie Jerry Rubin declared in 1980 that “My goal is at the age of 35 to act like I’m 15.” Within a few years, he was running a “networking” service and talking about how wonderful it was to make money.

Ivan the Terrible built the Kremlin-then gouged the architect’s eyes out to prevent him from ever designing another structure like it.

J. Paul Getty-at one time, the richest man in the world-had a pay phone in his mansion.

Julius Caesar’s autograph is worth $2 million dollars.

Mother Jones was Mary Harris Jones, a crusader for the rights of laborers.

The Ringling Brothers was originally a family orchestra, not a circus.

James Smith, founder of the Smithsonian Institution, never visited the U.S.

Norman Rockwell started painting Saturday Evening Post covers at the age of 21.

It took Noah Webster 20 years to write his dictionary.

Jack Nicholson was paid $61 million to appear in Batman.

Ringo Starr once claimed he wanted to get rich in order to open a chain of hair dressing salons.

Money

In 1986, the TV show “Wheel of Fortune” earned over $100 million dollars.

In 1984, a Canadian farmer began renting ad space on his cows.

Each $1,000 raise in a wife’s salary increases the chances for divorce or separation by 1%.

The average bank teller loses about $250 every year.

Laid end-to-end around the equator, it would take 257,588,120-dollar bills to circle the earth.

Until 1857, foreign coins were considered U.S. money if they were made of a precious metal.

In Italy, a whole year’s salary is the proper amount to pay for an engagement ring.

In 1936, a cabin on the Hindenburg airship cost $750 for a trans-Atlantic flight.

China employed over 6 million people to work on their 1990 census.

The British pound got its name because it was originally equal to the value of a pound of silver.

In 1991, General Motors was no. 1 on the Fortune 500 list-but 485th in profitability.

Nearly all psychiatrists have been attacked by one of their patients.

The average dollar bill has a life span of 18 months.

Your wedding ring is the one thing that creditors cannot seize if you go bankrupt.

Supermarket tabloids spend about $4 million a year buying celebrity gossip from informants.

During Desert Storm, one ribbon-maker shipped 30 million yards of yellow ribbon in a month.

Nearly 13% of lawyers admit to having six or more drinks a day.

In 1977, there were over 15,000 discos in the U.S.

Until 1967, LSD was legal in California.

Miscellaneous

The first stewardesses were on United Airlines in 1930; they had to be registered nurses.

One in ten truck drivers is a woman.

Canada owns more U.S. real estate than Japan.

The average person spends over 9 hours preparing their taxes.

On average, the French take twice as long on their business lunches than we do.

According to a recent study, housewives feel more stressed than working women.

It costs parents about $5,800 dollars to care for a newborn in its first year.

Garbage collectors and warehouse workers suffer the most on-the-job back injuries.

“When two men in business always agree, one of them is unnecessary.”-William Wrigley, Jr.

Japan recycles more than half its household and commercial waste.

A company in Australia makes coffins out of recycled newspapers.

Source: “Uncle John’s 4-Ply Bathroom Reader” by The Bathroom Readers’ Institute, 2003

Little-Known Business Facts: Did You Know That….., Part 1

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Products and Inventions

The zipper was invented in 1893; it was originally intended for shoes.

Kotex was first manufactured as bandages during World War I.

Levis were invented for the California gold miners in l873.

The first transcontinental phone call was from New York to San Francisco, in l9l5.

Chanel No. 5 is the most popular perfume in the world.

The “first electronic computer” was built in l889 for the U.S. Census Bureau.

Contact lenses were invented in l887.

The LaCoste shirt is named after French tennis star Rene LaCoste, the l927 Davis Cup winner.

The first bra was invented by a French designer in l902. But bras didn’t catch on until I9l3.

The first sound recording ever made was “Mary Had a Little Lamb“, in l877 by Thomas Edison.

The first all-talking movie was called “The Lights of New York.”

One company manufactures an edible set of Monopoly, made of chocolate and butterscotch.

The first sperm banks opened in l964; they were located in Tokyo and Iowa City.

The largest airline in the world is Aeroflot, the official Soviet airline.

The first known brothel opened its doors in 550 B.C. in Athens, Greece.

In l984, the National Coca Company of Peru introduced toothpaste with cocaine in it.

The first pay phone was installed in a Hartford, Connecticut bank in 1889. The price: 5 cents.

Thomas Edison demonstrated the first practical electric lightbulb on December 20th, 1879.

Alexander Graham Bell was 29 years old when he invented the telephone. Bell also installed the White House’s first telephone.

The name condom comes from Dr. Charles Condom (1630-1685). This product was originally made of linen and was invented in the early 1500s.

The first known contraceptive was crocodile dung (doo-doo, poop!), used by Egyptians in 2000 B.C.

A whopping 60% of all new cars sold in the 1980s were recalled for some defect.

It takes eight seconds to make a baseball bat in a bat factory.

The first chain store was the A + P; It was founded in 1842.

The patent for the ball-joint pen was awarded to John J. Loud of Weymouth, Mass. in 1888.

Ford Motor Co. manufactured a plastic auto-the first ever-in 1941.

Painting accounts for almost half the cost of auto assembly.

Scissors were invented by Leonardo da Vinci.

There are about 30,000 robots in the U.S.

The first advertisement to discuss body odor was a 1919 ad for the deodorant Odo-Ro-No.

There are 600 million phones on Earth.

A Brannock Device is the thing shoe salespeople use to measure feet.

Dr. Seuss designed the first animated color TV commercial in 1949, for Ford.

The all-aluminum can was introduced in 1964.

The first “streamlined swimsuits” of the early 1900s were made of wool and weighed as much as 20 lbs.

The first electric toothbrush was developed and tested on dogs. They reportedly enjoyed it.

On a typical day, your name is transmitted between computers five times.

The first rodeo wasn’t held until l847.

The U.S.

In Los Angeles, there are more cars than people.

Americans spend $8 billion a year on porn.

More Americans visit Tijuana than any other foreign city.

In l980, a secretary at John Deere and Co. was fired for “making a Xerox copy of her bottom.”

According to one poll, 50% of American kindergarteners believe TV commercials.

There are three times as many astrologers as astronomers in America.

About 96% of all American children can recognize Ronald McDonald. And 7% of all working Americans have worked at McDonald’s at some time.

Almost 90% of American doctors are male.

98% of American homes have at least one TV.

Only 53% of Americans have ever been to a dentist.

America’s first nudist organization was founded in 1929, by 3 men.

In l989, gamblers lost a record $4.43 billion in Nevada casinos.

The U.S. uses more steel making bottle caps than car bodies.

Before l863, mail service in the U.S. was free.

U.S. airports are busier on Thursdays than any other day.

The average American carries $27 on them. On the average, American men carry more cash than women do.

Casinos in Las Vegas don’t have clocks in them.

39% of Americans think the best way to get rich is to win a lottery.

In 75% of American households, women manage the money and pay the bills.

About 70% of Americans who go to college do it just to make more money.

63% of the Americans who earn minimum wages are women.

The U.S. bought Alaska from the Russians for about 2 cents an acre.

American kids’ allowances titled $8.6 billion in 1989.

Two-thirds of the world’s lawyers are in the U.S.

The U.S. Dept. of Defense spends about $6,000,000 on recruiting-every day.

One out of five American families doesn’t have a bank account.

Americans make $500 million worth of illegal long-distance calls annually.

90% of American businesses are family owned.

About half of American men polled say they enjoy money more than sex.

American teenagers spend over $70 billion a year.

A parking space in one New York City “condo garage” sells for $29,000.

There are about 30,000 robots in the U.S.

Among American cash crops, marijuana outranks corn in yearly value.

Nearly 50% of Americans read, work, or watch TV while they eat dinner.

In anonymous surveys, 40% of Americans confessed to cheating on their taxes.

Every year, Americans send three billion Christmas cards.

The average American kid will watch 30-40,000 TV commercials this year.

The number one use of gold in the U.S: Class rings.

Americans spend over $400 million on toys every day.

A cab ride from Los Angeles to New York costs $6,000.

Six billion pens are thrown away every year in the U.S.

Americans throw away around 10% of the food they buy at the supermarket.

Trash disposal costs the U.S. over $l0 billion a year.

More than 28 million Americans buy Christmas presents for their dogs every year.

Americans buy two billion disposable razors and razor blades every year.

An estimated 79% of all Americans have bought lottery tickets.

An estimated 70% of all Americans visit shopping malls at least once a week.

Each year, Americans consume 9 billion franks-an average of 87 per person.

The average American uses two pine trees’ worth of paper products each year.

According to recent surveys, 20% of American families don’t have a bank account.

70% of Americans have been to Disneyland or Disney World.

Americans spend $2 million a day on exercise equipment.

Source: “Uncle John’s 4-Ply Bathroom Reader” by The Bathroom Readers’ Institute, 2003