Straight and curved ... during meals!

Between the main flatware,

spoon and fork have a generally curved shape,

while the knife has a flat and straight blade

Curved objects in industry and in craft

Terracotta is a very versatile material and it is suitable to create curved shapes in the craft sector than in industry. It has always been shaped by hand to create vases, pots and containers especially in rural peoples, but now the construction industry still uses it to produce the classic tile with a curved section.

Would you like to have straight hair?

The straightener is a useful tool of turning the hair from curly to straight

A bit of history

Already in 1860 the women were using iron for ironing clothes for the urchins, before the invention of hair straightening. In 1872, Erica Feldman used heated rods to straighten your hair, while Ian Gutgold used chemicals. In 1906 Isaac K. Shero patented a heater plate with metal teeth that were included in the hair, while in 1909 he patented an ironing plate which consists of two flat irons that were heated and pressed against each other. However, the straighteners as we know them today, are attributed to the Scottish heiress Lady Jennifer Bell Schofield, who refined and combined efforts are needed before a stove with two hot irons, fitted with hinges, in 1912.Years after they were introduced in ceramic and electrical straighteners, which allow you to change settings and heat straightening.

Read more in: http://www.guidaacquisti.net/bellezza/piastra-capelli.html

To see the patent of a recent electric straightener click here

A music album with "Straight"

The cover of "Straight from the soul", an album by Irma Thomas

Patent of a straight and curved objects: the paperclip

The modern paper clip was patented on November 9, 1899 to William D. Middlebrook of Waterbury, Connecticut. Middlebrook invented not just the paper clip but he also invented a machine to produce the paper clip.

Cushman and Denison  purchased the Middlebrook patent in 1899. That same year Cushman and Denison also trademarked the name "GEM" for their new paper clip. 

Definition: paper clip, gem clip, paperclip
Function: A paper clip is a device which holds several sheets of paper together

Pressure: it leaves the paper intact and can be easily removed. 
Patent: 636,272 (US) issued November 7, 1899
Inventor: William D. Middlebrook 
Criteria: First practical. Modern prototype
Nationality: American

Timeline:

1867 Samuel Fay invents and patents a Ticket Fastener that also can be used to hold paper
1899 William D. Middlebrook invents and patents paper clip and the production machine
1899 Middlebrook sells patent to Cushman & Denison
1899 Cushman & Denison trademark the name GEM for their paper clip
1901 Johan Vaaler patents paper clip
1903 George McGill patents a paper clip that looks very similar to today's version

To read more: http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/paperclip.htm

Straight and Curved: measuring and drawing tools

Some useful tools to measure and draw straight and curved line

Work with wood to have straight or curved shapes

Wood is a material widely used both in industry and crafts. In fact it is possible to find semi-industrial wood, which is evident the specific action of the machine (the pieces are straight and finished very well), but it is also possible to have some traditional wood crafts created by man (in this case, objects usually have a curved shape)