InventorSpot

With summer gearing up, billions of people around the world are undoubtedly turning to a frosty, refreshing mug of beer. Not only is beer popular today, but it also has historical significance. Since its invention in ancient times, beer has been a favourite drink around the world.

Many of us have grown up celebrating Father's Day: giving Dad a card, making him breakfast or creating something handmade in school. But when did all this start? Let's look at the invention story of Father's Day.

The invention of coffee isn't credited to a single person or time. However, since the realization that consuming coffee beans makes people energized and happy, there have been a series of historical innovations that we couldn't imagine living without today.

About two hundred years ago, women pranced around on beaches wearing flannel dresses and three-quarter length trousers. In that period in history when showing one's knees was considered scandalous, it might have come as a shock to these women that their descendants would be sporting the skimpiest invention of all - the bikini.

Most of us have relied on the old standards for Father's Day Gifts. Whose dad doesn't have a Father's Day tie, wallet or pair of socks? Let's take a look at the invention stories of these favourite Father's Day Gifts:

Both women and men can recognize a tube of lipstick. It likely hasn't changed much in recent years - Same tube, same general appearance, same method of application. But did you know that the history of lipstick is filled with things like crushed beetles?

Recently, a resident of Lacombe, Alberta was honoured with an award for his invention: a vending machine that dispenses firewood. James West, who sells firewood seasonally, invented this machine so that campers won't have to rely on wood lot hours. West's creation is another innovation in the history of vending machines, which have dispensed treats such as candy, coffee, toys - even holy water.

Many strange things in history have been invented to make a task easier or to just have some fun. Here are three such inventions - all unusual and designed for problems of the head.

On this day in 1792, the infamous guillotine claimed its first victim - a robber named Jacques Nicolas Pelletier. The guillotine remained France's number one method of execution for the next 189 years. To commemorate the role Pelletier played in history, let's take a look at the invention of the guillotine.

The creation of the next hot toy or snack is often a long one, involving lots of time and market research. But did you know that the ever-popular Silly Putty, the Slinky and the Popsicle were all invented accidentally?