Commonplace items, or those we use without giving them much attention, frequently have intriguing and surprising backstories. These objects, which range from the simple toothbrush to the fork, are the result of millennia of experimentation, invention, and cultural development. Gaining insight into the obscure past of such items demonstrates not just how they were created but also how human ingenuity, necessity, and innovation have influenced the contemporary world.

Consider the fork as an example. For centuries, it was seen as strange or even decadent in many European societies, but today it is a common eating equipment. The fork was employed in the Byzantine Empire and originated in ancient Persia, but it wasn’t until the 16th and 17th centuries that it became popular in Europe.

The history of the toothbrush is also surprisingly old. Originally, Babylonians and Egyptians used “chew sticks”—twigs with frayed ends—to clean their teeth around 3000 BCE. Using bamboo or bone handles and hog hair bristles, the first bristle toothbrush was invented in China during the Tang Dynasty. The modern toothbrush didn’t become commonplace until the 20th century, when nylon was invented.

Take the zipper, a small technology that has a huge influence. It was first created as a “clasp locker” for tobacco pouches and boots in the late 1800s, but it underwent multiple redesigns before becoming a mainstay of apparel. It became a symbol of ease and modernity, taking the place of buttons on jackets, purses, and slacks.

Simple objects like coffee mugs, safety pins, and paperclips might have histories related to industry, war, or cultural changes. In Norway, for example, the paperclip became a symbol of resistance during World War II, when individuals wore them on their lapels to protest Nazi domination.

These obscure history demonstrate how commonplace items are everything but. They serve as indicators of human advancement, capturing moments of social transformation, technological advancement, and intercultural impact. When they were first presented, many of these inventions were criticized or opposed, but they eventually became essential.

In addition to appreciating the inventiveness of these items, studying the history of the commonplace helps us comprehend how they represent shifting worldviews, beliefs, and lives. Silent witnesses to the course of human history, the tools we use on a daily basis are the product of incredible travels.