Wraps, Wrecks, and Rolls: A History Unraveled

From ancient dining hacks to pop culture legends, today’s trivia serves up stories you’ll want to share over brunch. Let’s dive in!

Taco 'Bout an Ancient Meal Plan

• While we modern foodies rave about taco Tuesday, ancient Mesoamericans were way ahead of the game. Long before hard shells and guac, they wrapped wild game, beans and fish in corn tortillas—a practice dating back several millennia. Maize cultivation began around 9,000 years ago, and the nixtamalization process (treating maize with lime to make it more nutritious and malleable) can be traced back about 3,000–4,000 years. Think of it as prehistoric fast food but without the drive-thru. Oh, and bonus: no calorie counting when you’re hunting for survival.

  Next time you’re chomping on a taco, raise a metaphorical margarita to the OG culinary innovators.

The Great Toilet Paper Panic of 1973

• In 1973, Johnny Carson joked on The Tonight Show about a supposed toilet paper shortage. Americans, taking no chances, stormed stores, buying up every last roll. The result? An actual shortage—proving the power of a good punchline (and mass hysteria).

  For weeks, people hoarded TP like it was a winning lottery ticket. Stores had to put limits on sales, and manufacturers scrambled to keep up. If this sounds eerily familiar (hello, 2020), it’s proof history has a way of repeating itself… even in the bathroom aisle.

  Pro tip: Next time you’re restocking, remember, it’s all about supply and demand.

Titanic: The Original Blockbuster (Literally)

• Before James Cameron’s Titanic became the ultimate 90s tearjerker, the actual Titanic had its own moment in pop culture. In 1912—weeks after the disaster—filmmakers rushed to release Saved From the Titanic, starring a real-life survivor. Dorothy Gibson, still shaken, acted out the tragedy in the same dress she wore during the sinking. (Talk about trauma therapy gone wrong.)

  While her movie faded into obscurity, Cameron’s epic stole the show, earning $2.2 billion and sparking endless debates: Was there room on the door? (Yes. Physics says yes.)

From prehistoric tacos to Titanic reboots and TP frenzies, today’s trivia proves history is just a series of wildly entertaining mishaps. Stay curious, share a laugh, and maybe hold onto that extra roll of toilet paper—just in case.

Until next time,

— Max Whitt 🛳🌮🧻

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