JANUARY 28 - Today in Food History• National Blueberry Pancake Day
(Pancake Trivia --- Pancake Recipes)
On this day in:814 Charlemagne died. Charlemagne, Charles I, Charles the Great, King of the Franks, Charles le Grand, Carolus Magnus, Karl Der Grosse, King of the Lombards, master of Western Europe, Emperor. Some of the food related 'facts' I have come across related to Charlemagne:
* the peacock was first served in Europe during his reign;
* Saurbraten was invented by Charlemagne;
* Roquefort cheese was a favorite of his;
* the knife began to be used to eat food for the first time during his reign (rather than the fingers);
* Roses were used to cover his tables for meals.
I have no real corroboration for any of these 'facts'. 1807 London's Pall Mall became the first street to be lighted by gaslight. 1855 William S. Burroughs was born. An American inventor, Burroughs invented and manufactured the first adding machine with a printer. 1868 Amariah M. Hills, of Hockanum, Connecticut, received a patent for Improvement in Lawn-Mowers ("new and improved [cutting] device for mowing grass by hand"). The first reel lawn mower patent in U.S. 1873 Louis Pasteur, of Paris, France received U.S. patent # 135,245 for Improvement in Brewing Beer And Ale ("new and useful Improvements in the Process of Making Beer") (Beer Trivia & Facts) 1873 Colette, (Sidonie Gabrielle) was born. A French novelist, her novels contain many exact and detailed descriptions of food and the pleasures of the table, and quite a few recipes. 1878 The first commercial telephone exchange in the U.S. was installed in New Haven, Connecticut. 1887 The largest snowflake ever recorded, 15 inches wide, fell at Fort Keogh, Montana. 1914 John James McLaughlin died (born March 2, 1865). Canadian chemist and pharmacist, founder of Canada Dry soft drink brand. 1915 Congress creates the U.S. Coast Guard. 1916 In Canada, the Manitoba Legislature passes the Temperance Act, allowing the use of liquor at home but prohibits public bars. 1932 Wisconsin enacts the first U.S. unemployment insurance system. 1939 Rose Gray was born (died Feb 28, 2010). One of the most influential British chefs and restaurateurs of the 20th century. Co-founder and chef of River Cafe in London, "a little piece of Italy on the Thames." 1947 Colgate-Palmolive registered 'Ajax' trademark (for soap and household cleanser). 2019 Archaeologists in the Czech Republic have discovered a 7,000 year old wooden water well, built around 5256 B.C. at Ostrov in the Pardubice Region. It is believed to be the oldest wooden structure in the world, and will be preserved by the experts of the [University of Pardubice].
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