Today in Heritage History, March 17, 1845, the rubber band* is patented by Stephen Perry of London. Young Mr. Perry never received the telegram granting him patent rights until some time later. He had been grounded to his room for several days by his mother with, “I’ll tell you what mister ‘aren’t-I-important-patent-pending’, if you shoot another one of those things at your little brother and put an eye out, you’ll be looking for another place to live”.
* The Association of Catholic Bishops responded quickly and declared that “rubber-banding” was ALSO not an acceptable form of male birth control or contraception.
Ow.
So funny!
I don’t know. We played “The Three Stooges” when I was little. So, when my mom would yell that we were going to poke someone’s eye out, we thought she was quite observant.
I us to play Three Stooges with my little brother. Cornell grad or not, he’d still be falling for it if I hadn’t been kind enough to tip him off that I was messing with him when he was @14. My very best back to you this St. Pat’s Day.
PKC
So THAT’s where “You’re gonna put someone’s eye out” came from, along with the good old rubber band?!
YES! And…”If you don’t get down from there you’re going to fall AND BREAK YOUR NECK”. We never had minor injuries at my house (e.g you could fall and just twist your ankle…etc.) THANK YOU for reading and commenting. I hope you continue to drop in. My very best back to you and Happy St. Pat’s to you.
PKC
Sounds like my mom… yep I had a little sister. Blind in both eyes since age 8. I don’t know why she never answers my calls, Sheesh. Talk about holding a grudge.
So…do you know who her boyfriend is? I’m betting neither does she. I believe there’s probably MORE to the story Miss R. My best back to you and Happy St. Pat’s.
PKC
porr little Stephen …
Poor Mrs. “Mom” Steven’s. Thanks for stopping in today Goigi..I’ve missed you
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PKC
Ah, yes. The ol’ “put an eye out” story. LOL… had a Jr High Science teacher with a blind eye. Wore a very dark lens over that eye in his glasses. It was always said that a rubber band from a student did that. I believed it then – but certainly not know. But we never flipped rubber bands in his class….
I went to Catholic School… ALL the nuns had eye patches…for one reason or another. WE said it was because they saw…oh..never mind. Happy St. PADDY’s Day to you Triberr Tribe Mate.
PKC
Am thinking cartoon idea based on this in some way.