Summer is near!
Here are some fun facts that you may not know about this popular season…
- The first day of summer is between June 20th and June 22nd every year and is called the Summer Solstice. It is the longest day of the year and this year it falls on June 21st.
- The word “Summer” comes from the Old English name for season, Sumor.
- The first major commercial sunscreen product was brought to market in 1936 and was introduced by the founder of L’Oreal, French chemist, Eugene Schueller.
- The first bathing suit for women was created in the 1800s. It was long sleeved with woolen bloomers.
- Mosquitos are most prevalent during summer months and have been on earth for more than 30 million years.
- Watermelon is summer’s most popular vegetable…yes, it’s a vegetable…and is part of the cucumber, pumpkin and squash family. The average American eats 15 pounds of watermelon a year and this juicy treat is 92 percent water.
- Popsicles were invented in 1905 when an 11-year-old boy accidently left a cup filled with powdered soda water and a stirring stick on his San Francisco porch. That night the low temperatures caused the mixture to freeze and the popsicle was born. Today, two billion Popsicles are sold every year.
- The number one grilled food of summer is the hamburger. Steaks are number two and hot dogs are number three.
- Summer is by far the busiest time at movie theaters.
- Sunglasses were invented and mass produced by Sam Foster in 1929. He found a ready market on the beaches of Atlantic City, New Jersey where he began selling sunglasses under the name Foster Grant
Have a great summer everyone!