Have you ever wondered how modern-day conveniences were invented? How ordinary objects got their names? From soap to cinema, from gadgets to gold, and from caring for pet cats to throwing confetti, this book tells the intriguing, entertaining and astonishing stories behind the objects around us.

"Extraordinary origins of everyday things is based on material previously published in The origins of everyday things, 1998"--page [256]. "Fascinating stories of genius, invention and accidental discovery"--cover. Includes index.