Modern Inventions That Are Actually Old

This episode of 'Stuff You Missed in History Class' explores three modern inventions that are surprisingly ancient, challenging the assumption that many everyday technologies are recent innovations. The podcast begins with Heron of Alexandria, a first-century engineer whose work in mechanics and pneumatics anticipated modern concepts like steam power and vending machines. His 'Eolipyle'—a steam-powered rotating sphere—predated practical steam engines by over 1,600 years, while his coin-operated sacrificial vessel functioned as an early vending machine. The episode then shifts to ancient Egypt, where the Ebers Papyrus reveals that breath mints—made from honey and aromatic resins like myrrh and aloes—were used as early as 1550 BCE to combat bad breath, long before mint became associated with oral freshness. Finally, the show traces the origins of the disco ball to Louis Bernard Wiesty, who patented the 'Myriad Reflector' in 1917, though a mirrored ball was reportedly used as early as 1897 at a union party in Massachusetts. Despite the lack of definitive proof, Wiesty’s invention became a cultural staple during the Roaring Twenties and later fueled the disco era. The episode concludes with a heartfelt listener mail segment about family recipes and pets, underscoring the show’s blend of historical curiosity and personal connection.