Firestone tires was bought
out in 1988 by Bridgestone, a Japanese rubber conglomerate based in
Tokyo.
Dial soap was bought in 2004 by by Henkel KGaA, of
Germany.
Shell Oil Company is the US-based affiliate of Royal Dutch
Shell from Netherlands.
Church's Chicken was sold in 2004 Arcapita of Bahrain (it
removed bacon from its menu due to Sharia law).
Holiday Inn is now owned by British InterContinental Hotels
Group PLC.
The Chrysler building in New York is now owned by the Abu
Dhabi Investment Council.
Budweiser is now owned by Belgian company InBev.
Also, GM, Walmart, Symantec, Kodak (what's left of it), and
McDonald's now get the majority of sales outside of the US. In
fact, 53.6% of total sales from all the S&P companies were
made outside of the US.
Jun 22, 2012
What's in a Name, BVD
This men’s underwear maker was
originally founded by a group of New Yorkers named Bradley,
Voorhees, and Day to make women’s bustles. Eventually the trio
branched out into knitted union suits for men, and their wares
became so popular that “BVDs” has become a generic term for any
underwear.
Stuffed Shirt
Someone who is pompous and conceited is called
a ‘stuffed shirt’. Their description goes back to American women’s
fashion in the early 1900’s. At that time, women wore ‘shirtwaists’.
These were dresses or blouses tailored like shirts.
As dummies were not yet in existence, stores displayed the garments in their show windows stuffed with tissue paper. They may have looked good from afar, but on closer inspection they proved to be flimsy, without substance.
As dummies were not yet in existence, stores displayed the garments in their show windows stuffed with tissue paper. They may have looked good from afar, but on closer inspection they proved to be flimsy, without substance.
Spuds, Potatoes, and Fries
Among other definitions, a “spud”
is a “sharp, narrow spade” used to dig up large rooted plants.
Around the mid-19th century (first documented reference in 1845 in
New Zealand), this implement began lending its name to the things it
was often used to dig up, potatoes. This caught on throughout the
English speaking world and this slang term for a potato is still
common today.
The word “potato” comes from the Haitian word “batata”, which was their name for a sweet potato. Potatoes were grown about 2000 years ago in South America. This later came to Spanish as “patata” and eventually into English as “potato”. Potatoes were first introduced to Europe through the Spanish.
Exactly who introduced French fries to the world isn’t entirely known. Among the various theories, historical accounts indicate that the Belgians were possibly frying up thin strips of potatoes during the late 17th century. It was very common for the people to fry up small fish as a staple for their meals. However, when the rivers froze up thick enough, it was difficult to get fish. Instead of frying up fish in these times, they would cut up potatoes in long thin slices, and fry them up as they did the fish. Today, the Belgians still eat more French fries or Frites than any country in Europe.
The French originally thought potatoes caused various diseases. In fact, in 1748, the French Parliament even banned cultivation of potatoes as they were convinced potatoes caused leprosy. However, while in prison in Prussia, Antoine-Augustine Parmentier was forced to cultivate and eat potatoes and found the French notions about the potato weren’t true.
The French appeared to be the ones that spread fries to America and Britain and it, in turn, was the Americans, through fast food chains, that eventually popularly introduced them to the rest of the non-European world as 'French fries'. Because of this spread by American fast food chains, in many parts of the non-European world, 'French fries' are more often than not known as 'American fries'.
The word “potato” comes from the Haitian word “batata”, which was their name for a sweet potato. Potatoes were grown about 2000 years ago in South America. This later came to Spanish as “patata” and eventually into English as “potato”. Potatoes were first introduced to Europe through the Spanish.
Exactly who introduced French fries to the world isn’t entirely known. Among the various theories, historical accounts indicate that the Belgians were possibly frying up thin strips of potatoes during the late 17th century. It was very common for the people to fry up small fish as a staple for their meals. However, when the rivers froze up thick enough, it was difficult to get fish. Instead of frying up fish in these times, they would cut up potatoes in long thin slices, and fry them up as they did the fish. Today, the Belgians still eat more French fries or Frites than any country in Europe.
The French originally thought potatoes caused various diseases. In fact, in 1748, the French Parliament even banned cultivation of potatoes as they were convinced potatoes caused leprosy. However, while in prison in Prussia, Antoine-Augustine Parmentier was forced to cultivate and eat potatoes and found the French notions about the potato weren’t true.
The French appeared to be the ones that spread fries to America and Britain and it, in turn, was the Americans, through fast food chains, that eventually popularly introduced them to the rest of the non-European world as 'French fries'. Because of this spread by American fast food chains, in many parts of the non-European world, 'French fries' are more often than not known as 'American fries'.
Jun 19, 2012
Statler Brothers Are Not
Two of the group are brothers, but their
name is DeWitt. The other two are not brothers. Don and Harold Reid,
along with Phil Balsley and Lew DeWitt make up the group called the
Statler Brothers.
Originally, they called themselves the Kingsmen, until the song "Louie, Louie" by another group called The Kingsmen hit the charts. They decided to call themselves The Statler Brothers, borrowed from a brand of tissue paper.
Lew DeWitt wrote "Flowers On The Wall" one of their biggest hits. LINK
Originally, they called themselves the Kingsmen, until the song "Louie, Louie" by another group called The Kingsmen hit the charts. They decided to call themselves The Statler Brothers, borrowed from a brand of tissue paper.
Lew DeWitt wrote "Flowers On The Wall" one of their biggest hits. LINK
New PLAN for Your Phone
The federal government wants to implement a
centralized system of control over all communications, with last
year’s announcement that all new cell phones will be required to
comply with the PLAN program (Personal Localized Alerting Network),
which will broadcast emergency alert messages directly to all Americans’
cell phones.
Although users can opt out of receiving the alerts from FEMA and the Amber Alert program, messages direct from the president will be mandatory.
The thought of cellphone users being forcibly targeted with text messages from Barack Obama during the election season has obviously stoked concerns that the emergency alert system could be exploited for political reasons.
The system went live in the New York and Washington Metro areas last December 2011, caused panic in New Jersey after Verizon customers received text messages warning them that a “civil emergency” was in progress and to take shelter. This prompted alarmed citizens to flood 911 lines with anxious calls.
Verizon Wireless later apologized to its customers for causing alarm, admitting that the confusion was caused by a “test” of the PLAN emergency alert system.
The emergency alerts are designed to be incorporated into the Intellistreets system which turns all street lights into surveillance hubs that can record conversations and broadcast messages.
For the first time ever the government will have a direct line to millions of Americans who use cell phones and be able to transmit whatever messages it decides. Between this and the GPS required on all cell phones, we no longer need worry about being alone.
Although users can opt out of receiving the alerts from FEMA and the Amber Alert program, messages direct from the president will be mandatory.
The thought of cellphone users being forcibly targeted with text messages from Barack Obama during the election season has obviously stoked concerns that the emergency alert system could be exploited for political reasons.
The system went live in the New York and Washington Metro areas last December 2011, caused panic in New Jersey after Verizon customers received text messages warning them that a “civil emergency” was in progress and to take shelter. This prompted alarmed citizens to flood 911 lines with anxious calls.
Verizon Wireless later apologized to its customers for causing alarm, admitting that the confusion was caused by a “test” of the PLAN emergency alert system.
The emergency alerts are designed to be incorporated into the Intellistreets system which turns all street lights into surveillance hubs that can record conversations and broadcast messages.
For the first time ever the government will have a direct line to millions of Americans who use cell phones and be able to transmit whatever messages it decides. Between this and the GPS required on all cell phones, we no longer need worry about being alone.
Jun 15, 2012
Happy Friday
The dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of
tomorrow.
Wednesday I had a dream and Thursday I had hope and today is really a Happy Friday!
Wednesday I had a dream and Thursday I had hope and today is really a Happy Friday!
Blue Raspberry
Do you know why some candy makers color
their concoctions? Cherry, strawberry, raspberry and watermelon all
lend themselves to the color red, and if any two of those flavors
were in the same pack, they had to be distinguishable by color.
At first, the problem was solved by making cherry and strawberry slightly different shades of red. Watermelon pops were often made a lighter pink-red, and raspberry ones a dark wine-red. Scientists soon found out, though, that the most inexpensive and widely available dye for this deep red, Amaranth, or Red No. 2, provoked severe reactions, and was deemed a possible carcinogen and banned by the FDA.
The ice pop folks had access to blue dye, but no flavors that needed it. It was just an extra color sitting around, so they started to marry the flavor of blue raspberry, with the bright blue synthetic food coloring Brilliant Blue, or Blue No. 1).
Blue raspberry flavor is a now common flavoring for candy, snack foods, sweet syrups and soft drinks. It is more often used in the United States and originates from Rubus leucodermis, or Blue Raspberry for the blue-black color of its fruit. This species is also related to the black raspberry. Of course, all of this has nothing to do with giving someone the raspberries, which term, by the way, is used over much of the globe or a Bronx cheer as many in the US call it.
At first, the problem was solved by making cherry and strawberry slightly different shades of red. Watermelon pops were often made a lighter pink-red, and raspberry ones a dark wine-red. Scientists soon found out, though, that the most inexpensive and widely available dye for this deep red, Amaranth, or Red No. 2, provoked severe reactions, and was deemed a possible carcinogen and banned by the FDA.
The ice pop folks had access to blue dye, but no flavors that needed it. It was just an extra color sitting around, so they started to marry the flavor of blue raspberry, with the bright blue synthetic food coloring Brilliant Blue, or Blue No. 1).
Blue raspberry flavor is a now common flavoring for candy, snack foods, sweet syrups and soft drinks. It is more often used in the United States and originates from Rubus leucodermis, or Blue Raspberry for the blue-black color of its fruit. This species is also related to the black raspberry. Of course, all of this has nothing to do with giving someone the raspberries, which term, by the way, is used over much of the globe or a Bronx cheer as many in the US call it.
Bacon Maple Coffee
Now you can get all your morning goodness
with your cup of coffee and without getting out the frying pan.
Bacon Olive Oil
If bacon coffee is not enough, how about
some bacon flavored olive oil. It is vegan, but has the rich smoky
flavor. great for cooking or dunking.
Is it Real
Here is an interesting set of pictures of mockups, practice drills, lifelike works of art, simulators, puppets, robots, models, prototypes, automatons, and more. All for your viewing pleasure. LINK I especially like the robot built to pull a rickshaw.
Jun 12, 2012
What's in a Name, Moxie
This word takes its name from a
soft drink, rather than the other way. The word is not used as much
these days. It means 'the ability to face difficulty with spirit and
courage'.
The soft drink was invented by Dr. Augustin Thompson, a Maine native and Civil War veteran who worked in Lowell, MA. He patented a nostrum called Moxie Nerve Food in 1876. He eventually reformulated his drink and shortened the name to Moxie, in 1884.
An aggressive marketing campaign helped the brand grow into one of the first mass-produced soft drinks in the United States. One early advertisement for the drink read, “It nourishes the nervous system, cools the blood, tones up the stomach, and causes healthful, restful sleep. The family who orders a case from their grocer feels better and happier; the man who buys it in town at the druggists by the glass can accomplish more work.”
Maine declared Moxie its state soft drink in 2005 and the beverage is celebrated with a festival in Lisbon Falls, ME, every year.
The soft drink was invented by Dr. Augustin Thompson, a Maine native and Civil War veteran who worked in Lowell, MA. He patented a nostrum called Moxie Nerve Food in 1876. He eventually reformulated his drink and shortened the name to Moxie, in 1884.
An aggressive marketing campaign helped the brand grow into one of the first mass-produced soft drinks in the United States. One early advertisement for the drink read, “It nourishes the nervous system, cools the blood, tones up the stomach, and causes healthful, restful sleep. The family who orders a case from their grocer feels better and happier; the man who buys it in town at the druggists by the glass can accomplish more work.”
Maine declared Moxie its state soft drink in 2005 and the beverage is celebrated with a festival in Lisbon Falls, ME, every year.
Water Powered Clock
Yes, you can buy an eco friendly water
clock. It is cheaper on Amazon than on clock site. Details here.
LINK
New Internet
June 6 marked the beginning of the new
internet. The good news it that it happened with little fanfare and
almost no one noticed.
The old Internet is almost out of room. The new Internet is vastly bigger. It's ready for trillions and trillions more computers, devices, web sites, etc.
In order to be on the Internet, a device or Web site needs an address. The old Internet had about 4.3 billion IP (Internet protocol) addresses. The original inventors never thought they would run out of numbers, but today, there are more mobile phones in use than that. The new Internet allows for about 40 trillion trillion trillion (or, 340,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000) addresses.
This new Internet is known as Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) and the old Internet is IPv4. (IPv5 was scrapped).
Here's an example of what an old Internet address looked like: 192.0.2.1. Here is an example of a new IPv6 address: 2001:0db8: 85a3:0000:0000: 8a2e:0370:7334.
Network engineers have been working on this for years and you shouldn't notice anything different as they completely switch everything from the old Internet to the new Internet, which will take a couple of years.
If you are going to sign up for a new ISP (service provider) or buy a new home router or launch a new Web-based business, make sure it works with IPv6. Even though the new Internet is totally turned on, not every network provider has become IPv6 compliant. Many businesses have been spending millions of dollars and years to upgrade their networks.
Over time, the new Internet will have all kinds of devices (things we can't even imagine) connected to the Internet, like every appliance in your home, medical sensors, and much more.
The old Internet is almost out of room. The new Internet is vastly bigger. It's ready for trillions and trillions more computers, devices, web sites, etc.
In order to be on the Internet, a device or Web site needs an address. The old Internet had about 4.3 billion IP (Internet protocol) addresses. The original inventors never thought they would run out of numbers, but today, there are more mobile phones in use than that. The new Internet allows for about 40 trillion trillion trillion (or, 340,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000) addresses.
This new Internet is known as Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) and the old Internet is IPv4. (IPv5 was scrapped).
Here's an example of what an old Internet address looked like: 192.0.2.1. Here is an example of a new IPv6 address: 2001:0db8: 85a3:0000:0000: 8a2e:0370:7334.
Network engineers have been working on this for years and you shouldn't notice anything different as they completely switch everything from the old Internet to the new Internet, which will take a couple of years.
If you are going to sign up for a new ISP (service provider) or buy a new home router or launch a new Web-based business, make sure it works with IPv6. Even though the new Internet is totally turned on, not every network provider has become IPv6 compliant. Many businesses have been spending millions of dollars and years to upgrade their networks.
Over time, the new Internet will have all kinds of devices (things we can't even imagine) connected to the Internet, like every appliance in your home, medical sensors, and much more.
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