Treasures with a history

Did Romans invent army knives? These things are way older than you think

Jell-O, Swiss Army Knives, roller skates, lighters… It’s hard to picture these items existing hundreds of years ago, isn’t it? And yet, some of the treasures that make modern life easier have indeed been around, in some cases, for millennia. Read on to learn when these 11 items were actually first invented!

Gelatin desserts existed centuries before Jell-O! Medieval cooks used boiled animal collagen to make shimmering molds for banquets. The brand Jell-O came in 1897, when Pearl B. Wait in New York flavored powdered gelatin with fruit syrups.

It’s hard to imagine the video game giant existing before electricity. But Nintendo was founded in 1889 in Kyoto as a playing card company. For decades, it produced hanafuda cards, then toys, and only entered electronics in the 1970s.

Long before disco rinks or inline blades, a Belgian inventor named John Joseph Merlin assembled the first roller skates in 1760, skating into a London ballroom (and famously crashing). Early versions had fixed metal wheels and very poor steerability.

Famously, lighters predate matches. But do you know exactly how long lighters have existed? The first usable one appeared in 1823, invented by a German chemist. The first friction match only appeared 3 years later.

That’s what we call the famous red multi-tool standardized by Victorinox in 1891. But archaeologists discovered a Roman folding tool from around 200 AD made of silver and iron, with knife, spoon, fork, spike, and spatula. It might not have been mass-produced or standardized, but it certainly was there first.

We may associate dishwashers with mid-20th-century suburban kitchens, but the first one dates to 1886, when Josephine Cochrane built a hand-cranked model to save her fine china from clumsy servants.

The 20th century was still far away when the first working escalator was patented. The year was 1859, yet it was introduced at Coney Island only 30 years later—as an amusement ride!

It’s not a thing of the 90s! Its roots go back to 1969, when ARPANET connected four U.S. universities for military-funded research. The web’s 1991 debut by Tim Berners-Lee made it public and visual, hence the illusion that the "Internet" appeared overnight.

Do you associate concrete blocks with modernity in your mind? Think again! The Romans used advanced volcanic-ash mixes to build huge, durable structures (like the Pantheon dome or aqueducts). The Ancient Roman techniques even give clues on how to make longer-lasting concrete today.

We are not talking about electronic printers. Think about the movable type technology: It goes back in history way, way farther than Gutenberg’s system.

Printing with woodblocks and even early movable type existed in China long before the 15th-century European printing that Gutenberg perfected and popularized.

The great ancestor of GPS was probably the magnetic compass used for navigation. The discovery that magnetic force could be used to calculate the position of the poles occurred over 2000 years ago during the Han dynasty, in China.

EXPLORING THE WORLD

Discover 10 Major Cities That Aren't Capitals

Image: CHUTTERSNAP

In quiz games, it's not uncommon to come across some tricky questions about world capitals. And it's no wonder: plenty of well-known first-rate cities, full of attractive landmarks and must-see sights, could be mistaken for capitals even if they are not. To give them back some of their lost glory, we have chosen 10 metropolises whose cultural, historical, and financial pre-eminence deserve to be spotlighted.

Image: Aleksandar Pasaric

The fact that Madrid is the capital of Spain is unquestionable. But did you know that Barcelona was the capital for a while? Throughout the history of the Spanish territory, the center of power moved to different cities until 1561, when Philip II decided to establish the court permanently in Madrid.

Today, Barcelona is the second most relevant Spanish city in terms of economic activity; its port is one of the most significant in the Mediterranean, and its proximity to the border with France makes it an important center of connection with the rest of the European Union. It is also a dynamic and creative city that preserves its traditional charm, which makes it a major tourist attraction.

Image: Edward He

Located on the central coast of China, Shanghai is one of the most populated cities in the country. It is a financial hub and one of the most modern metropolises. However, it is not the capital of the Asian giant. Founded in 1291 at the mouth of the Yangtze River, its impressive skyscrapers dominate the landscape of a city that still retains much of the spirit of traditional China.

Visiting the Bund, the city's famous waterfront promenade, and enjoying the breathtaking views of the skyscrapers is one of the best things to do in Shanghai. Another option is to let yourself be tempted by the street food at the Yuyuan Market or learn about the country’s history by visiting the Shanghai Museum, one of the largest in China. You can explore it during the day or at night: Shanghai, like New York, is a city that never sleeps!

Image: Lucas Campoi

If we talk about Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is the first city that comes to mind. The classic image of Christ the Redeemer with open arms on the Corcovado mountain overlooking the beautiful beaches below is unbeatable. Once upon a time, Rio was the capital of colonial Brazil and remained so until 1960, when the seat of government was moved to modern Brasilia.

Despite having lost its title of "capital", the Cidade Maravilhosa is the second most populated and second-largest economy after São Paulo. In addition, thanks to its rich cultural history and vibrant festivals, Rio has left an indelible mark on the minds and hearts of millions of people. In fact, its famous carnival is one of the most iconic events in the world, considered by many to be "the greatest party on the planet".

Image: Henrique Ferreira

Many foreigners are surprised that the city of Bern is the capital of Switzerland. They would more logically guess that this title is held by Zurich, the country's economic center, or Geneva, which houses the European headquarters of the United Nations and many international organizations. But it was precisely to avoid excessive concentration of power that Bern was chosen as the "federal city" in 1848.

The truth is that Zurich doesn't need to be the capital of Switzerland; it can brag about many other things. Among them, being the most populous city in the country and one of the cities with the highest quality of life in the world. Zurich combines urban life and breathtaking natural scenery with charm. Visitors will find a city that still retains traces of its 2,000 years of history, as well as a large number of world-class cultural gems distributed throughout vibrant neighborhoods full of art, design, and innovative cuisine.

Image: Thomas Bennie

Despite being one of the few big cities in the world that is neither on the coast nor has a major river connecting it to the sea, Johannesburg is the largest city and financial center of South Africa, as well as one of the continent's major economic powers.

Mistakenly, it is considered the capital of South Africa. Actually, the Rainbow Nation has three official capitals, but none of them is Johannesburg —Pretoria is the seat of executive power, Cape Town is home to the National Parliament, and Bloemfontein is the judicial capital—.

Nicknamed the "City of Gold" for its past as a mining mecca, today Johannesburg is the epitome of a modern, cosmopolitan African city, where green prairies converge with different cultures and traditions from the continent and the world.

Image: Leandro Loureiro

Cartagena, a historic fortified city, is a fun and fascinating place to explore. In 1984, the city center and its fortifications were awarded the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO. From its founding in the 16th century and throughout the Spanish viceroyalty, Cartagena was one of the most important ports in South America. In fact, most of its artistic and cultural heritage comes from this period.

While Cartagena may not be the capital, its mix of informal appeal, beachside charm, and urban vibrancy make it Colombia's most touristic city and the one that receives the most foreign visitors.

Image: Laura Cros

Sydney is Australia's largest and most populous city. In addition, this metropolis is home to lush parks, soft sandy beaches, some of the world's most famous monuments, and iconic architectural landmarks such as the Opera House. However, it is not the country’s capital, as many people think. The capital is located in Canberra, about 185 miles from Sydney, and was specially designed in 1913 to house the parliament and government house.

Nowadays Sydney is Australia's main city for trade and finance, and connects the English-speaking world with Asia. Built on one of the most beautiful bays in the world, Sydney is one of the cities with the best reputation on the planet for being the most cosmopolitan and multi-ethnic city in Australia, for its great weather, and its cultural scene.

Image: Raj Rana

Mumbai has a lot to boast about. It is not only the most populous city and financial center of India but also the cultural capital of the country, home to Bollywood and other culturally relevant institutions such as the National Centre for Performing Arts and the Prithvi Theater.

Despite not being the political capital, Mumbai has many points of interest. One of the most visited tourist attractions is the famous Gateway of India, an 85-foot high arch-monument, a symbol of the British colonial era. It is also not a bad idea to stroll along Marine Drive —a beautiful promenade overlooking the Arabian Sea— or feel like a true local getting lost in the markets of Colaba and Crawford.

Image: Sandro Schuh

It may not be the capital, but if we are asked to name one Canadian city, Toronto is probably the first one that comes to mind. And it is not by chance: Toronto is the most famous, thriving, modern, and attractive city in Canada, a metropolis of over six million people that offers an open and friendly face to the world.

In addition to being the economic and financial center of the country, Toronto is the quintessential multicultural city. Its cosmopolitan nature and lively urban and cultural life are among its main features. Within a few miles, we can go from the Greek Quarter to the Portuguese Quarter, passing through Chinatown, Little Italy, or Koreatown. Toronto is a small world in itself that offers great cultural, linguistic, and gastronomic richness, all in one city.

Image: Anna Berdnik

The city of Istanbul is so significant —both currently and historically— that many people believe it to be the capital of Turkey. They are not that wrong, since Istanbul was the capital from 1453 until 1923, when the Republic of Turkey was established and the territorial center was moved to Ankara. This change did not sit well with Istanbul at first, but from the 1950s onwards, it was modernized and continued to grow. Today, it is the most important city in the country and the most populous in Europe.

Istanbul is known for being one of the most beautiful and diverse cities in the world. Its grounds were home to the ancient cities of Byzantium and Constantinople, making it rich in culture and history. Split between the continents of Asia and Europe, Istambul is surrounded by palaces, museums, and mosques, such as the iconic Hagia Sophia, an ancient Christian basilica famous for its enormous dome that is said to have "changed the history of architecture".