Thank You for Toilet Paper: A History of the Little Things

For all the times you've needed to make a fine point about something. For all the classroom, or meeting note doodles, the letters, art, and more, there are quite a few reasons to be grateful for the pencil sharpener. Time for a little bit of love, for this handy little tool.

Did you know that the button on top of a baseball cap has a name? From the baseball diamond to the dugout to the fans in the stands, to hip-hop, rap, and more, baseball caps have been shielding our eyes from the sun since the 1800s. Time for a little bit of gratitude for baseball caps.

From ancient Egypt to Rome, Nigeria, and Spain, and from there to the New World, horchata is a refreshing drink that has been enjoyed throughout history and around the world. Time for a little bit of gratitude and love for Horchata!

These handy little tools allow us to easily enter and exit winter coats, scuba suits, and space suits. (When they don't get jammed). Time for a little bit of gratitude for zippers!

Did you know that in the 1850s there was a "sewing machine war"? From the fashion industry to toys and sail-making, sewing machines have brought millions closer to achieving their dreams. Time for a little bit of love and gratitude for the sewing machine!

Who doesn’t love a good pizza Friday?! From birthday parties to late-night hangouts to high cuisine, pizza is a diverse food that enchants the tastebuds and has kept us going for centuries. Time for a little bit of love and gratitude for pizza!

In today’s episode, we’ll talk about match-makers. But not love. I’m talking about the little tools that help light a fire, without a romantic spark. From campfires to horror films to comforting candles, there are quite a few places where having matches on hand makes life a lot easier. Time for a little bit of gratitude for matches!

From flying saucers to pie tins and college campuses, the Frisbee has a pretty fun history. Break out the popcorn—because yes, popcorn also plays a role in this invention—and sit back for a little bit of gratitude for the frisbee.

For all the times you've needed a spoon-fork combination the spork has come to your rescue! For camping, hiking, school lunches, and more, the spork is our (sometimes fickle) friend. But did you know it's been around longer than you might think? Beyond the spork, there's the knork, the splayd, and the terrapin fork. Time for a little bit of gratitude for all our multi-talented utensils!

Absolutely essential for pinning up notices, documents, photos, and dreams, there are quite a few reasons to be grateful for this handy tool for drafters, architects, and dreamers. Time for a little bit of gratitude for push pins!