Stories #3

This is basically the portfolio page where I provide examples of short stories, or essays if you like, on topics which will be of interest to general and specialist visitors alike. Here you can find out about the invention of the tin can opener, the enigma of the female urinal, the story of the Rawlplug, and the history and highlights of Comic Relief's Red Nose Days - from their inception back in 1988, right through to this year's memorable fundraising marathon in 2009.

All are cues to the diversity of work which can be undertaken. New stories will be added from time to time. Coming soon will be Tea-Making Machines - the unknown history. Intrigued? Then keep an eye on this page.

Lifting the lid on the tin can opener

Makers of the earliest canned foods were so obsessed that their cans were 'airtight fortresses', they forgot to invent a convenient means of opening them! Find out about the invention of the tin can opener in this 3 page PDF on the history of this essential tool.

To be able to view and print PDF documents you must have Adobe¨ Reader¨ installed. This is a FREE piece of software. Click here to install the latest version of Adobe¨ Reader¨.

Making a Stand to Take a Pee

Can women use a urinal like men do, and if so, how? Check out this 2 page PDF on the history of the female urinal.

To be able to view and print PDF documents you must have Adobe¨ Reader¨ installed. This is a FREE piece of software. Click here to install the latest version of Adobe¨ Reader¨.

Get a Grip - the invention of the Rawlplug

We all use them at some time or other, but what was John Rawlings thinking when he invented the humble Rawlplug? Track the development of the Rawlplug in this 3 page PDF history.

To be able to view and print PDF documents you must have Adobe¨ Reader¨ installed. This is a FREE piece of software. Click here to install the latest version of Adobe¨ Reader¨.

Know Your Noses! Comic Relief's Red Nose Days 1988 - 2009

Back in 1988 a forlorn Lenny Henry was standing in the middle of Ethiopia cradling a 2-year-old Mohammed in his arms. At first he couldn't understand why the boy seemed so docile, his eyes rolling back in his head, until he realised with a shock that he was under sedation as a tuberculosis sufferer. 'I couldn’t think what to do', said Lenny. 'He didn’t seem to be responding to anything. So I put my Comic Relief red nose on and a grin just spread very slowly across his face. I thought to myself, well, if I can do that to a little kid who can't speak our language, maybe if we all wore one we could really raise a load of cash'.

Comic Relief's Red Nose Day is now a national institution. This year (2009), is the 12th Red Nose Day and since its start back in 1988, more than 63 million red noses have been sold and over £500 million raised for charity. But how well do you remember your red noses? This 26 page PDF guide reviews all the Red Nose Days, giving the facts, figures and highlights for each of those crazy conks!

To be able to view and print PDF documents you must have Adobe¨ Reader¨ installed. This is a FREE piece of software. Click here to install the latest version of Adobe¨ Reader¨.

New publication from Researchpod
'Isle of Man Telephone Cards - A handbook for collectors'

This stunning new book is the first authoritative survey of the 200 issues of fabulous telephone cards produced by Manx Telecom and collected by enthusiasts all over the world. Beautifully illustrated and containing vital information about each and every phonecard, this book is a must for both the novice and the serious collector as well as everybody interested in the rich social and cultural heritage of the Isle of Man.

Click on the icon to find out more and order your copy now!

To be able to view and print PDF documents you must have Adobe¨ Reader¨ installed. This is a FREE piece of software. Click here to install the latest version of Adobe¨ Reader¨.

A brief history of Pilgrim Pipe Company and some of their clay pipes

Read the story of Pilgrim Pipe Company Ltd. of Skegness. In existence for just 5 years in the heady days of the 1970s, their claim to fame was producing some of the worst clay tobacco pipes in the world! They were so awful they have become collector's items.

To be able to view and print PDF documents you must have Adobe¨ Reader¨ installed. This is a FREE piece of software. Click here to install the latest version of Adobe¨ Reader¨.

Know Your Clothes Noses! Comic Relief's Red Nose Day Clothes Nose Pin Badges 1995 - 2009

Around the middle of the 1990s Comic Relief began to widen their range of Red Nose Day merchandise. The RND clothes nose pin badge was a new product which first appeared in 1995. The noses were great fun, but there was a desire to provide more subtle insignia for those who wanted to show support for the charity without looking like a clown for the whole day; the smart-looking clothes nose pin seemed to fulfil this market.

This PDF guide reviews all the Red Nose Day Pin Badges, giving the facts and figures for each different design.

To be able to view and print PDF documents you must have Adobe¨ Reader¨ installed. This is a FREE piece of software. Click here to install the latest version of Adobe¨ Reader¨.