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Did You Know? FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | NOVEMBER 2018 11 By Micki Rosen DID YOU KNOW THAT NOV. 2 IS FOUNTAIN PEN DAY? The tools used for writing have gone through some massive changes throughout history. To begin with, it was chisels used to mark stone, a bit of papyrus reed to mark out the shapes of cuneiform, or bits of charcoal used to mark words on pieces of birch bark or bits of leaf. Eventually ink was created, using various types of plant matter and then iron and extract of oak galls. Ink required a new tool, and that tool was initially the dip quill pen, a bit of feather (usually goose) with a carefully cut nib to draw up the ink and transfer it to paper. This was such an amazing innovation that it stayed with us for a long while, but ultimately a new creation was needed that didn't require constant dipping, and that didn't require constant re-cutting of the nib. So it was that the fountain pen came to exist in 1636, combining a wonderful reservoir of ink with a metal nib. The world of writing was changed forever, and it took 300 years for the next innovation to come along and overshadow it. DID YOU KNOW THAT NOV. 12 IS HAPPY HOUR DAY? We're all familiar with happy hour, having seen ads in bars and restaurants around the world. The first instance of the term is difficult to trace, as it was a common reference throughout the centuries, most notably in King Henry V by Shakespeare, where he states, "Therefore, my lords, omit no happy hour that may be given furtherance to our expedition." As a reference to a particular time of entertainment, it can be traced to a more specific date. In 1913 it originated from the United States Navy. It took only the length of World War I for the term "Happy Hour" to refer to all periods of indulgence. As a reference to drinking, it made its appearance during the Prohibition. It referred to that time spent at a speakeasy before retiring to restaurants no longer able to serve alcohol. DID YOU KNOW THAT NOV. 16 IS FAST FOOD DAY? Thanks to the rising popularity of cars after World War I, fast food started finding a niche that it could fill for the road-bound traveler. White Castle first stepped onto the scene in 1921, when hamburgers were offered for $.05 a piece, and by 1950 fast food had become an American institution. From there the love of fast food started spreading throughout the world, and can now be found everywhere from Japan to India, and every ethnic cuisine the world has to offer. DID YOU KNOW THAT NOV. 19 IS MONOPOLY DAY? The idea of the Monopoly game occurred back in 1903 when American anti-monopolist Elizabeth Magie created a game called "The Landlord's Game" in order to explain in simpler terms the negative effects of monopolies on the economy. She got a patent in 1904 and published her game in 1906. Although Charles Darrow created a semi-copyrighted version of Monopoly, it wasn't until the Parker Brothers sold a similar game called Monopoly in 1935 that it gained popularity. In 1991, Hasbro Inc. bought Parker Brothers and thus bought Monopoly, which is now one of the most popular board games in the world, with different editions being developed each year. DID YOU KNOW THAT NOV. 11 IS ORIGAMI DAY? The art of folding paper arose in several places throughout the world, including Europe, China and Japan. It has accompanied traditions and celebrations of every kind. The first actual mention of a paper model was in a poem: a butterfly design was referenced in connection to Shinto weddings. In Europe, it was napkin folding that was all the rage, a tradition which was abundant during the 17th and 18th centuries as a sign of being a good hostess. This tradition faded out but has recently made somewhat of a comeback. When Japan opened its borders in the late 1800s, they started incorporating German paper folding techniques, and two worlds came together in glorious union.

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