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From Nation, For Nation - Pulse of the Nation

Dessert Origins

Delectable Dessert Origins: The History of Pound Cake

Ah, pound cake. A staple at picnics and family gatherings, this cake is as tasty as it is simple. Every seasoned baker has a pound cake recipe etched into their memory, as this dessert only requires the most basic of ingredients: flour, eggs, sugar, butter, and salt. Sure, there have been some variants over time, but the standard recipe for pound cake has not changed since it was created in 1747!
Tastiness aside, how did this classic cake earn its name? Did it cost a pound to make back in 1747? Did the final baked treat weigh a full pound? Nope, the name’s true origin is a bit more simple and calorie-packed.
The Origins
According to the first known recipe for the pound cake in Hannah Glasse’s The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy, the cake required exactly one pound of the aforementioned ingredients: one pound of flour, one pound of eggs, one pound of sugar, and one pound of butter and salt.
Why Simplicity is Key
If you think about the context of the 18th century, though, the recipe made total sense. Unless you were a member of the aristocracy, there was a strong chance that you could not read or write.
A recipe requiring exactly one pound of each ingredient made for one that’s easy to remember and bake at the drop of a hat. It also meant that you could easily halve the recipe if you didn’t feel like baking a massive cake for just your immediate family.
A Fan Favorite
The 1:1:1:1 recipe portions were extremely popular in Britain, the pound cake’s country of origin, and soon that popularity would quickly make its way to the colonies.
American Cooking by Amelia Simmons was the first cookbook published by an American, and it contained a recipe for the baked British export.
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French Spy

The Medical Mystery of Tarrare, a Cannibalistic French Spy

Tarrare was the walking manifestation of one of the seven deadly sins as he prowled the cobbled streets of 18th-century Paris indulging his endless hunger.
Tarrare was the walking manifestation of one of the seven deadly sins as he prowled the cobbled streets of 18th-century Paris indulging his endless hunger.
Tarrare was the walking manifestation of one of the seven deadly sins as he prowled the cobbled streets of 18th-century Paris indulging his endless hunger.
Tarrare was the walking manifestation of one of the seven deadly sins as he prowled the cobbled streets of 18th-century Paris indulging his endless hunger.Tarrare was the walking manifestation of one of the seven deadly sins as he prowled the cobbled streets of 18th-century Paris indulging his endless hunger.
Tarrare was the walking manifestation of one of the seven deadly sins as he prowled the cobbled streets of 18th-century Paris indulging his endless hunger.
Tarrare was the walking manifestation of one of the seven deadly sins as he prowled the cobbled streets of 18th-century Paris indulging his endless hunger.
Tarrare was the walking manifestation of one of the seven deadly sins as he prowled the cobbled streets of 18th-century Paris indulging his endless hunger.
Tarrare was the walking manifestation of one of the seven deadly sins as he prowled the cobbled streets of 18th-century Paris indulging his endless hunger.Tarrare was the walking manifestation of one of the seven deadly sins as he prowled the cobbled streets of 18th-century Paris indulging his endless hunger.
Tarrare was the walking manifestation of one of the seven deadly sins as he prowled the cobbled streets of 18th-century Paris indulging his endless hunger.
Tarrare was the walking manifestation of one of the seven deadly sins as he prowled the cobbled streets of 18th-century Paris indulging his endless hunger.
Tarrare was the walking manifestation of one of the seven deadly sins as he prowled the cobbled streets of 18th-century Paris indulging his endless hunger.
Tarrare was the walking manifestation of one of the seven deadly sins as he prowled the cobbled streets of 18th-century Paris indulging his endless hunger.segijiofjazaxdsrfsbndhtsjsmiamanjdimanjauqanbavyapmaz. →

From Globe, For Globe - Pulse of the Planet

Yarn

Meet the Man Behind “Brochet”: The Wild, Woolly Art of Steven Borzachillo

Think crochet is limited to blankets, scarves, and cozy sweaters? California-based creator Steven Borzachillo is redefining the craft with his wildly imaginative style called Brochet, a bold and bizarre twist that turns traditional crochet on its head. Instead of soft fashion or home décor, Steven creates unexpected yarn sculptures that challenge assumptions about what crochet can be. His work blends shock value with humor, transforming a gentle, familiar craft into something that makes people stop, stare, and laugh.
At the heart of Brochet are Steven’s soft-but-fierce creations, including plush ninja stars, cushioned spears, and even a fully crocheted yarn cannon. Though they look dangerous at first glance, every piece is completely harmless, squishy, and carefully handmade. He pushes the concept even further with crocheted bloody guts, severed limbs, and eerie body parts made entirely from colorful yarn. The contrast between gruesome imagery and soft materials creates a playful visual joke—startling at first, then undeniably funny once the illusion fades.
Despite the intense appearance of his work, Steven emphasizes that Brochet is not about violence, but about creativity, humor, and breaking artistic rules. His goal is to make people do a double-take, rethink stereotypes around crochet, and realize that the craft is open to everyone. By flipping expectations and embracing the absurd, Steven hopes to inspire others to pick up hooks and yarn, proving that even the softest materials can deliver the boldest artistic statements.
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Really Weird Olympic Events That Have (Thankfully) Been Banned

From Nation, For Nation - Pulse of the Nation

Delectable Dessert Origins: The History of Pound Cake

The Medical Mystery of Tarrare, a Cannibalistic French Spy

From Globe, For Globe - Pulse of the Planet