Q&A

Was Hornblower based on a real naval officer? © Alamy

Was Hornblower based on a real naval officer?

Were there health scares caused by new technology in the past? (public domain)

Were there health scares caused by new technology in the past?

Who made the first booze? © Wikimedia Commons

Who made the first booze?

When did people start wearing sunglasses? © Getty Images

When did people start wearing sunglasses?

Why are whiskers on men’s jowls called ‘sideburns’? © Alamy

Why are whiskers on men’s jowls called ‘sideburns’?

Who was buried at Sutton Hoo? © Getty Images

Who was buried at Sutton Hoo?

Did Abraham Lincoln’s beard win him the election? (public domain)

Did Abraham Lincoln’s beard win him the election?

Why do we have the letters ‘FD’ on our coins? © Getty Images

Why do we have the letters ‘FD’ on our coins?

What was ‘pigging’? © Getty Images

What was ‘pigging’?

Fast-food_0-00a61c3

What ‘fast food’ was there in Victorian England?

Who was the first archaeologist? © Getty Images

Who was the first archaeologist?

Have any American Presidents owned an unusual pet? © iStock

Have any American Presidents owned an unusual pet?

Why we say: ‘pleased as punch’

Why we say: ‘pleased as punch’

Who invented champagne? © Getty Images

Who invented champagne?

Who invented the toothbrush? © Getty Images

Who invented the toothbrush?