Johnny Acton

Whether you're a history buff, science student, lover of popular culture or a natural born detective, The Origin of Everyday Things is the ultimate guide to help curious minds unravel and unwind. A delicious compendium of trivia behind the origins of over 300 modern phenomena, objects, sayings stories and superstitions that most people take for granted, it's also a great way to enhance your powers of observation, hone your forensic antenna and last but least, impress your friends. o The birth and brilliance of the brown paper bag o The 4,000-year history of toothpaste - and its torrid past o The staying power behind the world's most popular puzzles from Rubik's Cube to Sudoku to the humble crossword o Why we have nature to thank for Velcro, Valium and the Guggenheim