World War I

The Brush Off

During the first World War, British soldiers were issued toothbrushes. Many didn’t know what they were, and used them to clean their boots. Oldfield, The Secret Museum 291… Read More

All American

Because America was at war with Germany in WWI, hamburgers (named after the German city of Hamburg) were renamed Salisbury steaks. Frankfurters were called “liberty sausages,” and dachshunds became “liberty dogs.”… Read More

Pigeon Droppings

I’ve always been fascinated by homing pigeons. A homing pigeon is a type of domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) that is bred to find its way home, often from remarkably long distances. If it’s carrying a message, it’s called a… Read More

Decompressed

During World War I, as more and more women joined the workforce, corsets quickly went out of fashion. Enough steel was salvaged from corset stays to build two battleships.… Read More