20 Everyday Products That Are Older Than You Think

A husband trying to make life easier for his accident-prone wife ended up creating an object found in virtually every first-aid box. Johnson & Johnson employee Earle Dickson came up with the concept in 1920 by combining gauze with adhesive tape so his wife could cover minor cuts without needing help each time. The first BAND-AID adhesive bandages reached stores in 1921, although they were hardly the neat little strips people peel open today. Early versions measured roughly 3 inches wide and 18 inches long and had to be cut to the necessary size.