The Bowler hat (also Derby hat) was
created by Thomas and William Bowler. This was so the high top
hats of the Earl of Derby’s gamekeepers would not be hit by
branches while on horseback. This was also said to be a
compromise between social classes’ top hat and flat cap. Incidentally,
Dick Van Dyke inherited Stan Laurel’s bowler hat in 1965.
The term
‘Gerrymandering’ was derived from Gerry Elbridge, the governor
of Massachusetts and salamander from an outline of a
newly-defined district map. The outlined shape of a dragon in
the form of a map pertains to a cartoon in the Boston Gazette in
1812. This awkward location that creates unusual shapes is
suitable for voters in certain districts for political
advancement.
Adolphe Sax invented
the saxophone in 1840; unfortunately, he was unsuccessful with
the instrument. Luckily, a century later, the sax became popular
with jazz musicians.
Jean Nicot de
Villemain, a French ambassador who learned about tobacco on his
trip Portugal. When he went home, he brought snuff, leaves, and
seed with him and presented it to the royal court of France in
the 1560s. The plant became a hit and so Jean was commemorated
by having the plant named after him - nicotine. Only in
succeeding centuries did nicotine come to mean chemical inside
the tobacco plant.
Bloomers were named
after Amelia Bloomer, a women’s rights supporter. She did not
make the garments, but her efforts embodied her appearance of
women.