ASTM F3512-21: Wind Safety & Durability Of Market Umbrellas
The earliest umbrellas were not made to protect users from rain but rather the potent sun. Invented over 4,000 years ago, these umbrellas were used…
ASTM F2058-07(2021): Candle Fire Safety Labeling
The ancient Romans developed the wicked candle in the year 500 BCE by repeatedly dipping rolled papyrus in melted tallow wax, derived from the fat of…
A Brief History of Elevators
ASME A17.1: Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators has been in effect for almost 100 years. While a near-century is a long time, it only…
Standard Specification for Flat Glass, ASTM C1036-21
In architecture, glass serves the integral role of acting as part of the building envelope and providing transparent barriers through which individuals inside can maintain…
Why a Pint is Bigger in the UK than in the US
An American walks into a pub in London and orders a pint. It looks similar, but, given the amount of the golden-brown, oddly warm liquid…
Indoor Heating – An Ancient Roman Innovation?
Numerous innovations can be attributed to the Ancient Romans. Aqueducts, concrete, newspapers, even elevators—these are just a few of the technologies that have seeped into…
Salt Isn’t Exactly What it Used to Be
Salt, despite being an essential component of our cooking and even a necessity to our diet, is not used primarily for human consumption. All of…