06
Nov *The Birth Of The Fridge Magnet
By: IT Admin
Refrigerators have been around for centuries, with primitive cooling systems originating from ice houses built near rivers or streams, to ice boxes made out of wood, to electric refrigerators as we know them today.
Magnets have been around for centuries, too. Though there are natural magnets like lodestone, most magnets in use today are manmade. Of course, magnets have had many practical uses prior to the invention of the modern refrigerator. But one thing’s for sure: whoever discovered that magnets would stick to iron or steel gave magnets another useful and fun purpose.
In the 1970s, William Zimmerman obtained the first patent for fridge magnets. He patented the idea of using small cartoon magnets that would be both decorative and useful. But as early as the 1960s, fridge magnets were already popular in the form of plastic letters and numbers with a magnet attached to the back. These magnets were widely used as educational materials in schools as well as homes. By the 1990s, whole words were used and came to be known as “magnetic poetry,” since the words could be arranged to form sentences or even poetry.
Fridge magnets have evolved in form and shape since. Now, fridge magnets come in virtually any shape and size, especially since its decorative side can only be limited by one’s imagination. Fridge magnets have also become popular as souvenir and promotional items because they are relatively cheap to manufacture, yet they have mass appeal. Fridge magnets are also nostalgic for many, bringing back memories of days when magnets were magical and science experiments with iron filings were mind-blowing. And of course, who doesn’t give in to the temptation to immediately stick a magnet to a fridge or any steel surface?
Fridge magnets are quite common, which makes them easy to collect. Many collect magnets from their travels as souvenirs, while others are focused on specific themes. The largest collection of magnets belongs to Louise J. Greenfarb of Henderson, Nevada. According to Guinness World Records, Greenfarb has 19,300 fridge magnets as of 1997. She was also cited the British “Book of Alternative Records” in February 2002, when her collection had grown to 29,000 items. By 2009, she has an unofficial count of 40,000, plus 10,000 copies in reserve that she uses to trade with other collectors. Now, there is no knowing if all these fridge magnets have special or significant value or worth. However, if you want to know what the world’s most expensive fridge magnet is, as of 2010, it’s the FridgePad – essentially a magnetic bracket that turns your iPad into a kitchen computer mounted on your fridge door. The combined iPad and bracket price? $538 (USD).
As you can see, fridge magnets continue to evolve. Not only are they used to post children’s artwork, shopping lists, or reminders on your fridge door, but they’ve also become multi-functional. Now you can find calendar and notepad fridge magnets, magnetic business cards, and even interactive puzzle fridge magnets, all available at Dandy.com.au.. At Dandy.com.au, you can customize your fridge magnets and give them that extra flare. Add something new to your fridge door, or someone else’s. Whether for personal or business use, Dandy.com.au can provide it for you.
