Welcome to a fun exploration of summer! This season is full of interesting facts and clever tricks to make the most of the sunny days. Let’s dive into some cool summer treats and life hacks that you can try out.
Did you know that sno-cones have an interesting history? The modern snow cone was made popular by King Sammy, who invented a snow cone ice-shaving machine in 1927. He sold these icy treats at the Texas State Fair, and they quickly became a favorite summer delight.
Another frozen treat, the popsicle, was invented by Frank Epperson in the 1920s. He even filed a patent for it, which included a drawing of how to make them using test tubes. Imagine that!
Speaking of ice cream, Ben & Jerry’s employees have a sweet perk—they can take home three pints of ice cream every day!
The expression “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” became famous thanks to Elbert Hubbard in 1915. He wrote about actor Marshall P. Wilder, who turned life’s challenges into opportunities, just like making lemonade from lemons.
If you love s’mores, here’s a tip from Lisa Adams, author of “S’mores: Gourmet Treats for Every Occasion.” For perfectly roasted marshmallows, use a metal rod or coat hanger to cook them evenly.
In Gaffney, South Carolina, there’s a giant water tower shaped like a peach called the Peachoid. It’s 135 feet tall and has been a local landmark since 1981.
There’s also a special type of watermelon called the Bradford, created in the 1840s. Although it became less popular due to shipping issues, the Bradford family kept growing it in their backyard, preserving this delicious fruit.
Summer is a great time to try out some life hacks! Here are a few you might find useful:
Fairs are a popular summer activity with a rich history. The word “fair” comes from the Latin “feria,” meaning religious festival. The York Fair in the U.S. claims to be the first, dating back to 1765.
In 1807, a farmer named Elkanah Watson showcased his sheep in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, leading to the first official State Fair in 1841 in Syracuse, New York. Over time, fairs have grown to include thrilling shows, contests, and even butter sculptures!
While enjoying the sun, remember to protect your skin with sunscreen. Studies show that people using SPF 30 sunscreen tend to stay in the sun longer than those using SPF 10. So, make sure to take breaks indoors and reapply sunscreen as needed.
Enjoy your summer adventures, stay safe, and have fun trying out these tips and tricks!
Try making your own sno-cone at home! Use a blender to crush ice and add your favorite flavored syrup. Share your creation with your family and explain the history of sno-cones and how King Sammy made them popular.
Channel your inner Frank Epperson and invent a new popsicle flavor. Use fruit juices, yogurt, or even soda. Draw a design of your popsicle and explain why you chose those ingredients. Share your popsicle with friends and get their feedback!
Imagine you are an architect tasked with designing a new summer landmark for your town. Draw your design and write a short description of its features and why it would be a great addition to your community. Consider unique shapes like the Peachoid!
Choose one of the summer life hacks mentioned in the article and test it out. Document your process and results. Did it work as expected? Share your findings with the class and suggest any improvements.
Organize a mini fair with your classmates. Plan different activities, such as games or contests, and include a history corner where you share facts about the origins of fairs. Work together to make it a fun and educational event!
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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Hello and welcome to Mental Floss! It’s summertime, and there’s a lot we need to know about this season. For instance, did you know that sno-cones were invented? Let’s get started with some quick facts about the best summer treats, starting with my birthday on July 30th—the best day in summer! While I don’t have a P.O. box, you’re welcome to send me cheerful messages!
First up, the famous expression “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” was popularized by obituary writer Elbert Hubbard in 1915. He wrote about the death of actor Marshall P. Wilder, mentioning how he picked up the lemons that fate had sent him and started a lemonade stand. The expression had existed before, but it gained popularity after this.
In the cookbook “S’mores: Gourmet Treats for Every Occasion,” author Lisa Adams shares the secret to evenly roasted marshmallows. She recommends cooking them on a metal rod or coat hanger.
In Gaffney, South Carolina, there’s a 135-foot tall water tower shaped like a peach, known as the Peachoid, which has been around since 1981. There’s also a sweet variety of watermelon called the Bradford, created in the 1840s. Although it fell out of favor due to shipping difficulties, the Bradford family continued to grow it in their backyard, ensuring it didn’t go extinct.
According to Ben & Jerry’s, employees can take home three pints of ice cream daily. Speaking of frozen treats, Frank Epperson invented popsicles and filed his patent in the 1920s, which included a drawing of how to make them in test tubes. The modern snow cone is credited to King Sammy, who patented a snow cone ice-shaving machine in 1927 after selling them at the Texas State Fair.
The popularity of iced tea in the early 20th century led to an increase in the demand for tall glasses. Lastly, according to various sources, National Corn Dog Day is celebrated on the first Saturday of March Madness, although it hasn’t been officially proclaimed yet.
Summer is also a great time for life hacks! Today, I’m testing a few I found online. First, to store valuables at the beach, you can use an empty sunscreen bottle for your keys and credit cards. However, it won’t fit a phone. Another hack suggests using a diaper to store valuables, which I can confirm works, but you can’t put it on your child afterward!
Another tip is to attach your keys to a cork to make them float if dropped in water. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work well if you have multiple keys.
Next, I tried using tongs to squeeze lemons more effectively. While it was a challenge, a proper lemon squeezer is still the best tool for the job.
For marshmallows, adding a teaspoon of cornstarch to a sticky bag can help separate them. However, my attempt didn’t work as expected, and I ended up with cornstarch-covered marshmallows.
To finish up, I tested a camping hack by attaching a headlamp to a gallon of water to see if it could light up the studio. It worked quite well!
Now, let’s take a look at the history of a popular summer activity: going to the fair. Fairs and festivals have various origins, but we’ll focus on U.S. State Fairs. The term “fair” comes from the Latin word “feria,” which referred to religious festivals. The York Fair claims to be America’s first fair, occurring in 1765.
In 1807, farmer Elkanah Watson showcased his sheep in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, leading to the first official State Fair in 1841 in Syracuse, New York. Over the years, fairs evolved to include thrill shows, contests, and even butter sculptures, thanks to the dairy industry.
Before you empty that sunscreen bottle for your life hack, remember to use it up first! Research has shown that people wearing sunscreen may stay in the sun longer. A study found that those using SPF 30 sunscreen spent an average of 25% more time in the sun compared to those using SPF 10, despite similar amounts of sunscreen applied.
So enjoy your summer, protect your skin, and don’t forget to take breaks indoors! Thanks for watching Mental Floss, and please subscribe to our channel for more fun videos!
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This version removes any informal language, personal anecdotes, and extraneous details while maintaining the core information.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – The history of ancient Egypt includes the construction of the pyramids.
Summer – The warmest season of the year, occurring between spring and autumn. – During summer, students often visit historical sites to learn more about the past.
Treats – Items that are considered special or enjoyable, often given as a reward. – After visiting the science museum, the teacher gave the students treats for their excellent behavior.
Ice – Frozen water, a solid state of H2O. – Scientists study ice cores from Antarctica to learn about Earth’s climate history.
Fair – An event where goods are displayed and sold, often including entertainment and educational exhibits. – The science fair showcased projects on renewable energy and historical inventions.
Lemonade – A drink made from lemon juice, water, and sugar. – At the history festival, they served lemonade just like people did in the 1800s.
Watermelon – A large fruit with a hard green rind and sweet, juicy, red or pink flesh. – During the summer picnic at the historical park, everyone enjoyed slices of watermelon.
Peaches – Sweet, juicy fruits with fuzzy skin and a large pit. – In the 19th century, peaches were a popular treat during summer gatherings.
Sunscreen – A cream or lotion that protects the skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet rays. – Archaeologists use sunscreen to protect their skin while working on historical sites under the sun.
Hacks – Simple and clever tips or techniques to solve problems or make tasks easier. – The science teacher shared hacks for remembering important dates in history.
