Eye makeup – Kohl:
Egyptians are credited for the invention of eye makeup as far back as 4000 BC! They used makeup not only for beauty purposes but also to present class and socioeconomic status. Kohl is by far the longest standing invention, used by most women to this day. Egyptian or ‘Arabian’ Kohl is regarded to be the best in the world. Makeup was not just used by women but also by men. Beyond the cosmetic reasons, it was believed that applying a thick coating of makeup helps with various eye diseases.
Written Language:
Even though drawings were used to express words and tell stories date back to 30,000 BC, Egyptians are among the first to come up with a writing system. It started with pictograms and images depicting events and then evolved to having symbols and sounds which we came to know as hieroglyphics.
Calendar:
We would just be lost in time today if it weren’t for our ancestors! The Egyptians created the calendar to differentiate between different seasons and times of Nile flood. The entire agricultural system was highly dependent on the calendar which they divided into 3 seasons: inundation, growing and harvest. Each season had four months and each month divided into 30 days which totals to a year of 360 days.
Breath Mints:
Be proud and thankful when taking a breath mint that could save a rather embarrassing and awkward social encounter (Smooch Smooch). Egyptians devised the breath mints to conceal unpleasant aromas. If only they all still continue to use them to this day!
The door lock:
When you lock your bedroom door to keep your parents out and enjoy a little alone time, be grateful that ancient Egyptians appreciated privacy too. They invented a device around 4000 BC that allowed a key to shift a bolt into an open or closed position. However, it was huge in size (about 0.6 meters) which wasn’t very convenient.
Wigs:
Wig it out like an Egyptian! Back in the day, they used to shave their heads bald during the summer to keep them clean. However, other than priests and laborers, it was not considered aesthetically pleasing to be bald which is why they invented wigs. It wasn’t meant to replace hair, it was merely a head piece made in elaborate designs and shapes.
