The need for something that can solve the problems in our daily lives often leads to new and interesting inventions. Here are some examples of inventions that were born as solutions to common daily problems.
Earle Dickson noticed that his wife often burned or cut herself accidentally while working in the kitchen. She would then need his help to put bandages on the wounds. Since Dickson couldn't always be there to help her, he invented a bandage that she could easily deal with herself. Sold under the brand name Band—Aid, these bandages are now used for many types of minor (not serious) cut.
Then there was Bette Nesmith Graham, a secretary who wanted a simple way to correct her typing mistakes. One day, as she was watching painters use touch—up paint to a wall, it struck her that the same way could be used on paper. She mixed a white paint and used a small brush to apply it to her work. This small bottle of paint with brush finally came to be known as Liquid Paper.
In some cases, though, people invent things for one purpose but end即using them for another. Take tea bags, for example. In 1908, a New York tea seller named Thomas Sullivan came up with the idea of creating small gifts for customers by putting tea leaves in small silk bags. Customers are supposed to take out the tea leaves from each bag before boiling a pot of tea. However, some people misunderstood and began putting the unopened bags directly into hot water, and the custom of using tea bag was born.
Sometimes inventions are used for their original purposes. Other times they end up being used for something completely different. Either way, they make our lives a whole lot better.
