On May 13, 1637, Cardinal Richelieu, the influential French statesman, invented the modern table knife. Prior to this, knives were primarily used for cutting large pieces of food. Richelieu's design featured a rounded tip, making it safer and more refined for dining. His innovation revolutionized eating etiquette, leaving a lasting legacy in the development of dining utensils. The table knife remains a fundamental part of every meal today.

On May 8, 1886, a curious new drink was served for the first time at Jacobs' Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia—Coca-Cola. What began as a...