Did you know that the Boy Scouts played a role in the creation of barcodes? Joseph Woodland, who was a Scout, learned Morse code as a kid. Later in life, he wanted to find a way to put data on products for easy tracking. He remembered Morse code and thought about how it could be turned into a visual system. While at the beach, he drew four lines in the sand and realized they could be used as wide and narrow lines instead of dots and dashes.
Joseph Woodland teamed up with his friend Bernard Silver to develop this idea into what would become the modern barcode. They sold their patent for just $15,000. However, with help from Woodland’s IBM colleague George Laurer and supermarket executive Alan Haberman, barcodes became a standard in the industry. Today, they are everywhere!
Hi, I’m Erin McCarthy, and welcome to The List Show. In this episode, we’re exploring the fascinating origins of everyday items—from the accidental invention of smoke detectors to the unexpected uses of Lysol.
In March 2020, many people used Lysol to clean their groceries, but did you know it has been used for much stranger things? Lysol first became popular in Hamburg, Germany, during a cholera outbreak in the late 19th century. It was also used during the 1918 flu epidemic. An ad in the LA Times even suggested using it to fight the Spanish influenza by disinfecting homes. While Lysol does kill many bacteria and viruses, its uses have not always been wise.
In the 1920s, Lysol was misleadingly marketed as a feminine hygiene product. The ads were often sexist and suggested that women should use it if their marriages were struggling. Unfortunately, the early formula contained harmful ingredients, which caused health problems for some users.
Chemist Robert Chesebrough discovered how to refine a byproduct of oil drilling into a clear ointment called petroleum jelly, which we know as Vaseline. He showed how effective it was by applying it to wounds and even claimed to eat it daily. While we don’t recommend eating it, Chesebrough lived to be 96 years old!
Smoke detectors have been around since the late 1800s, but a major breakthrough came from Swiss physicist Walter Jaeger. He was trying to invent a device to detect poisonous gas but ended up creating an effective smoke detector by accident while smoking a cigarette.
George de Mestral got the idea for Velcro from the burdock plant, which has tiny hooks that stick to clothing. He developed a synthetic version, and Velcro became widely used, even in space missions!
Kleenex tissues trace back to World War I when Kimberly-Clark made a material called cellu-cotton for gas masks. They later turned it into a softer product for removing cold cream and makeup.
The flush toilet, which we often take for granted, was improved by watchmaker Alexander Cummings. In 1775, he patented the S-trap, which helped stop toxic gases from entering homes and improved sanitation.
The air conditioner was first invented to control temperature and humidity in a printing plant. It soon became essential for human comfort, allowing the construction of skyscrapers.
Chemist Constantine Fahlberg discovered saccharin, an artificial sweetener, by accident when he tasted a chemical he was working with. Although there have been debates about its health risks, studies suggest it may not be as harmful as once thought.
Stay tuned for our next episode, where we’ll explore amazing historical coincidences. If you know a good one, share it in the comments below for a chance to be featured. Thanks for watching!
Imagine you are Joseph Woodland at the beach. Use sand or a sandbox to draw your own version of a barcode using lines and spaces. Think about how you can represent different pieces of information with your design. Share your creation with the class and explain what each part of your barcode represents.
Research old advertisements for Lysol from the 1920s. Analyze the language and imagery used in these ads. Discuss with your classmates how advertising has changed over time and what ethical considerations should be taken into account when marketing products today.
Take a walk outside and observe nature, just like George de Mestral did when he discovered Velcro. Look for natural elements that could inspire a new invention. Write a short description or draw a picture of your idea and present it to the class.
Conduct a simple experiment to understand how smoke detectors work. Use a small, safe source of smoke (like a blown-out candle) and observe how a smoke detector responds. Discuss the importance of smoke detectors in safety and how accidental discoveries can lead to life-saving inventions.
Create a timeline that shows the development of the household items discussed in the article, such as Vaseline, the flush toilet, and air conditioning. Include key dates, inventors, and any interesting facts. Present your timeline to the class and discuss how these innovations have impacted daily life.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any inappropriate or sensitive content while maintaining the overall message:
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Did you know we have the Boy Scouts to thank for barcodes? As a kid, Joseph Woodland learned Morse code through his participation in the Scouts. Years later, when he was looking for a way to efficiently imprint data onto products for tracking and organization, he thought back to that childhood experience. He wondered if there was a way to visually render a version of Morse code—a simple but virtually limitless method of communication. As Woodland told Smithsonian Magazine, inspiration struck at the beach. He drew four lines in the sand and realized they could represent wide and narrow lines instead of dots and dashes.
Woodland worked with a friend, Bernard Silver, to turn that moment of insight into the precursor to modern barcodes. The men sold their patent for only $15,000, but years later, with the help of Woodland’s IBM colleague George Laurer and supermarket executive Alan Haberman, barcodes became the industry standard. Today, they’re practically ubiquitous.
I’m Erin McCarthy, and this is The List Show. In this episode, I’m breaking down the interesting origins of everyday objects—from the happy accident behind smoke detectors to a surprising use for Lysol.
If you look back on March 2020 and feel a bit silly for using Lysol on your groceries, I can tell you that there have been much worse uses for the product over the years. It first came to prominence after being used in Hamburg, Germany, to help combat a cholera epidemic in the late 19th century. It was later touted as a way to fight the devastating flu epidemic of 1918. An ad in the LA Times that year encouraged people to disinfect their homes to help combat Spanish influenza. Lysol does kill most bacteria and viruses, so it made some sense to use it in these contexts.
However, beginning in the 1920s, Lysol was marketed as a feminine hygiene product, which was misleading. The advertising was often sexist, suggesting that women should question themselves if their married love began to cool. Unfortunately, the product’s early formula contained harmful ingredients, leading to serious health issues for some users.
Chemist Robert Chesebrough developed a method to refine a byproduct of the oil drilling process into a clear ointment called petroleum jelly, widely known today as Vaseline. He demonstrated its effectiveness by applying it to wounds and even boasted of consuming it daily. While we don’t recommend this, Chesebrough lived to be 96.
Different versions of smoke detectors have been around since the late 1800s, but a key step in their evolution came from Swiss physicist Walter Jaeger. He was trying to create a device to detect poisonous gas when he accidentally invented an effective smoke detector while smoking a cigarette.
George de Mestral found inspiration for Velcro in the burdock plant, which has tiny hooks that cling to clothing. After developing a synthetic version, Velcro became widely used in various applications, including space missions.
Kleenex, synonymous with disposable tissues, dates back to World War I when Kimberly-Clark created a type of cellu-cotton for gas masks. They later modified it to create a softer product, originally intended to remove cold cream and makeup.
The flush toilet, which we often take for granted, was improved by watchmaker Alexander Cummings, who patented the S-trap in 1775. This innovation helped prevent toxic gases from entering homes and improved sanitation.
The air conditioner was originally created to control temperature and humidity in a printing plant, but it soon became essential for human comfort, allowing for the construction of skyscrapers.
Lastly, chemist Constantine Fahlberg discovered saccharin, an artificial sweetener, by accident when he tasted a chemical he was working with. Despite controversies surrounding its health risks, studies have shown that it may not be as harmful to humans as once thought.
Our next episode will cover amazing historical coincidences. If you know a good one, drop it in the comments below for a chance to be featured. Thanks for watching!
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This version maintains the informative nature of the original transcript while ensuring it is appropriate for all audiences.
Household – A household refers to all the people who live together in a single home, sharing living space and responsibilities. – In ancient Rome, a household often included extended family members and servants living under one roof.
Barcode – A barcode is a series of lines and numbers that can be scanned to identify a product and its details, often used in stores and libraries. – The invention of the barcode revolutionized how products were tracked and sold in supermarkets.
History – History is the study of past events, particularly in human affairs, and how they shape the present and future. – Learning about the history of the Industrial Revolution helps us understand the development of modern technology.
Lysol – Lysol is a brand of cleaning and disinfecting products used to kill germs and bacteria, often used in homes and hospitals. – During the 1918 flu pandemic, Lysol was widely used to disinfect surfaces and prevent the spread of the virus.
Invention – An invention is a new device, method, or process developed from study and experimentation. – The invention of the light bulb by Thomas Edison changed how people lived and worked after dark.
Chemist – A chemist is a scientist who studies the composition, properties, and reactions of substances. – Marie Curie was a famous chemist who discovered the elements radium and polonium.
Smoke – Smoke is the visible vapor and gases given off by a burning or smoldering substance, often a sign of fire. – In ancient times, smoke signals were used by Native Americans as a form of long-distance communication.
Toilet – A toilet is a sanitation fixture used for the disposal of human waste, an essential part of modern plumbing systems. – The invention of the flush toilet greatly improved public health by reducing the spread of diseases.
Air – Air is the invisible mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth, essential for breathing and life. – The study of air quality is important for understanding environmental science and protecting human health.
Sweetener – A sweetener is a substance used to give a sweet taste to food or drink, often as a substitute for sugar. – The discovery of artificial sweeteners has provided alternatives for people who need to reduce sugar intake.
