Please, please, sign your comments! Most of your names are coming through but there were at least five last week that were marked “Anonymous.” I really like to know to whom I’m replying. 😀 Thank you for your participation and reciprocation. Shalom, Rochelle
The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © David Stewart
THE BOX HEARD ‘ROUND THE WORLD
Dale folded a blanket and laid it in a box of linens. “I hate moving.”
Rochelle taped the top of another box and labeled it Bedroom with a marker. “Ever wonder who invented them?”
“Invented what?”
“Cardboard boxes.”
“No.”
“Robert Gair, who came to the United States in 1853 from Scotland on a ship by himself. He was only fourteen at the time. Can you imagine what that must’ve been like? Later he fought in the Civil War and after that, he worked in a paper factory.”
“So how did he invent the box?”
“Sorry, I’m fresh out of words.”
CLICK for a lot more about Robert Gair
**********************
It’s still summer! 😉
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
One day, a similar couple will tell the story of Rochelle
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Aw shucks, Neil. 🙂 Thank yiou.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great last line! Now I’ll have to google it 🙂 well done, Rochelle
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Dear Fleur,
Another interesting historical figure. Hey! Those boxes don’t just grow on trees, y’know. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well said! 🙂 thank you Rochelle
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What a perfect pic for me this week. That’s what my “office” looks like at the moment. We’ve applied for an apartment and am on waiting list to move within the next 60 days. Nerves are high. Need is higher.
Cardboard, one of the best inventions EVER! Although most of our belongings are in plastic bins, I still use some cardboard bankers boxes for dishes, food… things we’ll need right away. In the end, considering our 29 years together, it amazes that our essential must haves only filled 4 bins.
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Dear Anonymous,
I’m guessing this is Bear. Yes? All the best to you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Now that’s cheeky, I’ll have to click on the link! I hate moving too, but I bet Dale and Rochelle will make the process a little more fun by chatting about historical figures, friends and fiction!
Jen
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Dear Jen,
Moving is a pain. I hope to not have to do it for a great long while. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great story of a young immigrant who made himself a wonderful career as well as history. The link is a must see to grasp his amazing history. Well done M’Luv.
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Dear Anonymous Husband,
He sounds like a fascinating person to know. Glad you enjoyed the story and took the time to wrestle with Word Press to say so. Thanks M’Luv.
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Ah, who’s moving? Dale or Rochelle? 😉 I had my share of cardboard boxes this summer, helping my mom sort and pack and then unpack and organize as she downsized to move (age 90!) to a senior housing complex. I’m an expert with the packing-tape dispenser now! 😉 Fun piece. And … how DID he come up with them cardboard boxes??? Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
I hadn’t really given much thought to who’s moving. I do a lot of packing for art fairs. As for how he came up with the cardboard box, you’ll have to click the link. Thanks re the story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Moving is so tough 😦 Have to go through this soon.
Carboard boxes are ubiquitous and help making the task easy worldwide. So do the marker pens. We have to label everything on the boxes so as to know what they contain!
Thanks for sharing the inventor’s name and story. Even he had to move out of his birthplace and there were no cardboard boxes to support him then!
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Dear Anita,
True comments. What did people pack with before cardboard boxes. Steamer trunks, I suppose. Thank you. All the best on your move.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well written and as interesting as always!
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Thanks so much, Mr. B.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Bobby. I’d be lost without boxes and sticky notes!
–from Li/Lisa @tao-talk.com
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Dear Lisa,
What would we do without the cardboard box. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you’re welcome. Indeed!
Shalom,
Lisa
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Thank you Rochelle, that’s a very good point! 😉
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Thank you, Fleur.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
You are officially a wretch! But we love you for your turning to history and making us all the smarter (even if we have to click on the link to learn more). Jen said it… you’re cheeky!
Shalom and lotsa boxed love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Cheeky.? Wretch? I’ll own them both. 😉 Why should I do all the digging? Tee hee.
Shalom and lotsa outside-the-box hugs,
Rochelle
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Funny bunny, too! 😘
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🐰🐇🤪
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What a fascinating almost story. Fascinating link too. What would we do without cardboard boxes? Us and the cockroaches that like to set up home in them 🫤.
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Dear Margaret,
Ugh. You brought back a memory for me. Years ago I brought home groceries in cardboard boxes. We soon had a cockroach problem that ultimately was solved by my packing up the kids for a week and going to friend’s house while I bug bombed the house. It worked. Never brought groceries home in paper bags or boxes.
Thank you re my sort of story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How he did I know not, but I’m pleased he did – I guess Amazon is too!
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Dear Keith,
I suppose someone had to invent boxes. 😉 Whatever would we do without them? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle, I guess you boxed yourself up, running out of words.
This story is a good prompt to encourage us to do our own research. A great idea.
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Dear James,
Yes, that’s it. I’m encouraging you to do your own research. 😉 That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. And late replying besides. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
loved this one and it took me a split second longer than it should have to get the last line, at which point I had a good laugh. Although, I’m sure if anyone could tell a complete history in 100 words, it would be you. Thanks for picking my picture this week. Seeing it brings back some trauma from moving but I’m sure we all have that. I hope you’re doing well these days. Have a great weekend!
-David
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Dear David,
I’m so glad you enjoyed this one. Every once in a while I have to veer from the beaten historical fiction path. 😉 Thank you for the loan of the photo. It was a good one. I know what you mean about the trauma of moving. Our last move was 17 years ago and we still have unpacked boxes in our sub basement.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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once again, an interesting piece. thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Plaridel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a fascinating history! Sometimes mistakes are a good thing :). Thanks for opening my eyes, Rochelle! -Angela
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Dear Angela,
Ya know, everything we use in life had to be invented by someone. Right? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You, know, I guess that’s true ;).
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What a simple yet brilliant invention. A smart guy. I can’t imagine taking that journey as a teenager, alone, though. It shows his strength of character. Thanks, Rochelle, for another interesting personality. 🙂
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Dear Brenda,
There were so many ways to go with Robert’s story. He sounds like quite the person, doesn’t he? Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, I feel a search project coming on! Way to leave us at the edges of our seats 🙂
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Dear Linda,
He he. Happy searching, my dear. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fresh out of words but never out of ideas😊 great one Rochelle.
Meha!
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Dear Meha,
What a lovely thing to say. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Without him the world’s business and political consultants would be deprived of one of their favourite mantras.
(But just HOW did he invent the box?)
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Dear Patrick,
How did he do it? That’s what the link is for. 😉 As for the expression, it’s become one of our favorite cliches to think outside the box. Nu?
Shalom,
Box Cutter Wisoff Fields
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Ooh, those pesky word counts. Who makes these rules? The real question is not how or why, but where would Jeff Bezos be without Robert Gair? Not flying around space in his phallic rockets.
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Dear NobbinMaaaauuuuuugggghhh,
I’m not sure who came up with that work count rule. 😉 Actually I do know and it wasn’t me. However, I’ve perpetuated it for the past twelve years and have to abide by it. Right? Of course right!
Ah the cardboard box. What did people do before them? Probably didn’t have a closet full of boxes that are too nice to throw away. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🤣 My garage is full of “That’s a good box. It’s strong. You should keep that.”
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Wonderful!
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Thank you, Dawn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear WTF’s-her-name,
I did wonder how cardboard boxes were made until I visited a plant that made corrugated board a few years ago. It was fascinating.
Three rolls of material feed into a machine at the same time. A special roller forms the zig-zag layer in the center known as the fluting. The outer layers are glued to the fluting using corn starch. The finished product is cut into large sheets, then cut and scored with steel-rule dies to form the box dimensions.
Now you know far more than you probably wanted to about how boxes are made. 🙂
I’ll crawl back inside mine now.
Heathcliff Snide
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Dear Heathcliff Snide,
It does sound fascinating. We take boxes for granted, don’t we? Then there are those that are just too nice to throw away. I have a closet full of them.
I’m doing a happy dance to see your all-too-infrequent presence in the house at Purple Corner. Thank you for crawling out of your box. You still can’t have my invisible box of DNR tags. Mine. Mine. Mime.
Please feel free to come again. We miss you. But you didn’t hear that from me.
Shalom,
What’s Her Name W(T)F
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Very entertaining story, Rochelle, and I loved your little play on words at the end.
Shalom!
🕊️
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Dear Nancy,
Word play is one of my favorite games. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hahahaha love it Rochelle. A history lesson and a gossipy fun time with two of the best ladies! Nicely done.
Laurie
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Dear Laurie,
Guess you could call it a history sandwich. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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