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Stay Warm, Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite
Episode 225
Thursday, 4 December, 2025
This week, Meredith and Cassandra chat about the winter inventions that helped us survive the cold - from the classic hand muff to heaters, ice scrapers, remote starts, and shovels. It’s a quick, fun look at how these cold-weather creations came to be. omehow bed bugs made their way into the conversation, too. We give a shout-out to one of our #1 fans, Shannon, and Meredith love Lauren Conrad clothes at Kohl's.Info from this episode:🔥 Fireplace (a.k.a. Early Heating System)~500,000 BCEInventor: Early humans (Homo erectus)Fireplaces became structured “hearths” in ancient Greece & Rome.☕ Thermos (Vacuum Flask)1892Inventor: Sir James Dewar (Scottish chemist)🧶 Wool Clothing (Mittens/Scarves/Socks)~3000 BCE (first wool garments in Mesopotamia)Inventors: Ancient Mesopotamians🔧 Snow ShovelDated back to ~1000 BCE, first used by indigenous Arctic peoplesModern aluminum snow shovel patented in 1889 by Joseph Flanders🚗 Remote Car Starter1980sInventor: First commercialized by M. Frank Verducci, founder of Autostart❄️ Ice Scraper1910–1920s (early automobile era)Inventor: Unknown — evolved as cars became popular in snowy regions📦 Insulated Delivery Bags (Pizza Bags)1983Inventor: Ingrid Kosar (founder of Thermal Bags by Ingrid)👢 Waterproof Winter Boots1950s modern rubber-and-insulation designInventor: The boot company Sorel (founded by Kaufman Footwear) popularized them🧥 Heated Jackets2001Inventor: Milwaukee Tool’s heated gear division eventually commercialized the tech🔌 Space Heater (Electric Heater)1890sInventor: Albert Leroy Marsh pioneered the high-resistance alloy “nichrome” in 1905, leading to modern heaters🧣 Infinity Scarf1970s–80s, became mainstream in the early 2010sInventor: No single inventor — fashion industry evolution🌬️ Snowblower (Snow Thrower)1925Inventor: Arthur Sicard, a Canadian dairy farmer⛽ Heated Gas Pump Handles2000sInventor: First implemented by certain Midwest gas station chains — not patented by a single inventor🧊 Windshield Wiper De-Icers1936 first patent for heated wipersInventor: Joseph Karasik🚪 Heated Store Entrances (Air Curtains)1910sInventor: Olaf Bergh (Norwegian engineer) patented early air-curtain systemsAll The Clopen Links:https://linktr.ee/theclopeneffectSupport the show and advertising opportunities:
