10 Shocking Origins Of Everyday Items

A look at the origins and original uses of items we see and use every day.

By Tom Mankin /

Items that we come into regular contact with often become so familiar to us that we forget that they each have their own history and origin story. Sometimes these stories are straightforward and predictable, while other times mundane items have histories that are downright shocking. Here we gather together 10 everyday items that have origin tales that are far from what you would expect.