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!

This handy dandy tape is a quick fix for many across the world--and even out of this world! From astronauts to soldiers, to high school students, there are many reasons to be grateful for duct tape. Or duck tape. We'll talk about which one's right in today's episode!

These handy tools are essential for wardrobe malfunctions and punk rock fashion statements. Time for a little bit of love and gratitude for safety pins!

Jelly beans have been along for a very long time. (In fact, we're not even sure how long!) It's a popular treat with kids, adults, astronauts, and presidents. Time for a little bit of gratitude and love for jelly beans!

This handy dandy tool has many ways to help us out with everyday problems. Originating with the Swiss Army and used by MacGyver-types around the world, it's time for a little bit of gratitude for the nail file, can opener, screwdriver, scissors, and everything else we can find in the Swiss Army Knife!

How would you like to receive a lovely barrel of balsamic vinegar, passed down through the generations, as your wedding gift? Up until the 1980s, balsamic vinegar was a family affair, a prized possession, and a symbol of peace. Time for a little bit of love and a whole lot of gratitude for balsamic vinegar!

It's the technology we use on our phones, our computers, for air traffic control, and more! It only gets a little tricky to use outside in the cold, because it means sacrificing our gloves. Time for a little bit of gratitude for touch screens!

Did you know that pretzels helped stop an invasion in 1510? Pretzels were also used in wedding ceremonies! And here I thought they were just awesome snacks to get at the mall. Time for a little bit of love and gratitude for this twisty bread: pretzels!

It's a way to keep food fresh in the fridge, enjoy leftovers, and makes for a good drum set when needed. Time for a little bit of gratitude and love for Tupperware.

Comic Books have been the source material for a lot of cinema over the last few years. But what about the people who love the source material? After afternoons spent reading about the adventures of heroes on the page, there are a few places fans of these stories can gather. Today we're going to take a little bit of time for a little bit of gratitude for Comic Conventions. Thanks to one of our...

Sometimes you just need to go for a walk to see the world in a brand-new way, help clear your head, or maybe ease your heart. And help prevent heart disease. Turns out walks are great for quite a few things. Time for a little bit of gratitude for taking a walk.

They teach us collaboration, risk management, strategy, and the importance of sheer dumb luck. For thousands of years, humanity has used board games to have fun, create social ties, learn strategy, and occasionally find a good partner. From good sports to sore losers, it's time for a little bit of love and gratitude for board games.

They pair well with fries, hamburgers, chicken, and more. Great for barbecues and late-night snacks, time for a little bit of love for ketchup and fry sauce!

When you just need to get something out of your system or perhaps record a good story from your life so you don't forget it, a journal or a diary is the way to go. Famous journals and diaries have helped paint a vivid picture of the past, from grand historic events like the Great Fire of London to the annoying everyday occurrence of an unannounced guest who just won't leave, journals show us that...

Perfect for on-the-go sock-making, fashionable sweaters, or a good scarf, knitting has been keeping humanity warm, and occupied, for centuries. Time for a little bit of love for knitting!

Coming to our rescue in a jam, from kitchens to bathrooms, the plunger is an amazing tool. It's even been used to save a few lives! Time for a little bit of love for plungers!