"A-G-L-E-T, Aglet, don't forget it"

I know exactly what I'm going to do today. Or that's at least what I thought. You see, I have always longed for such trivial answers in life. Seeking a new-found purpose and striving to be just a certain of human being. One who finds certain facts to be very intriguing, if I say so myself. I understand if you guys aren't really going to get a good history lesson from me. But the song for it though, it'll make you want to do some of your own research on it.

It has been said that this material is used in our everyday lives. It’s so old, that it dates back to the Roman Era. Or that's what I have to assume with the skit in the show. Man, those guys never let up on gas, huh. I'm sorry, getting a little off track. As these so-called items are called "aglet", was the name.

The word "aglet" and its variant "aiglet" come from the Middle French and Old French word "aiguillette". It is the diminutive of "aiguille", meaning "needle, pin". What I find it a little fascinating is the word "aiguille" seems a little close to the word agile. If you were to drop a few characters, then surely that would be the word. This is the etymology behind the word.

Aglets were originally made of metal, glass, or stone, and many were very ornamental. Wealthy people in the Roman era would have their aglets made out of precious metals such as brass or silver. So, Imagine a Christmas decoration with the colorful ornaments. You know, those baseball shaped objects? Those pins on that used to hang them up on a tree is originally called an aglet.

There is a subtle distinction between aglets, which are generally functional, and aiguillettes, which are generally decorative. Aiguillettes usually appear at the end of decorative cords, such as bolo ties and the cords on military dress uniforms.

Shoe companies often produce their own shoelaces, for which they manufacture aglets. Many companies prefer to add metal sheaths over plastic aglets for better durability. Some may add logos or pictures.

Before the invention of buttons, they were used on the ends of the ribbons used to fasten clothing together. Sometimes they were formed into small figures. If there are any William Shakespeare fans, this will surely enlighten you. Shakespeare calls this type of figure an "aglet baby" in The Taming of the Shrew. No one had claimed knowledge if creating this word, until later in time.

As we get a little closer in time with learning about the aglet, a one man sought to own it. It was invented in 1790 by Harvey Kennedy. Or as people say in modern times today. In fact, according to Huffington Post editor James Cave, "The history of the aglet’s evolution is a little knotty". "Many sources credit it as being popularized by an English inventor named Harvey Kennedy, who is said to have earned $2.5 million off the modern shoelace in the 1790s."

Today, the clear plastic aglets on the end of shoelaces are put there by special machines. The machines wrap plastic tape around the end of new shoelaces and use heat or chemicals to melt the plastic onto the shoelace and bond the plastic to itself. We don't realize it, but shoe laces are a small, important item in our lives. Everyone wears shoes, imagine wearing a pair of sneakers without laces, in most cases your foot would fall right out. Besides function, shoe laces are now used as fashion statement.

With all that information, it surely is cool knowing that the tip of the shoelace is important. Imagine not being able to tie your shoes and they slip right off as your walking. Or even worst, while running, like ouch. The reason I find this weird little history face so astonishing is really because of the song to it. Just go listen to the aglet song by Phineas and Ferb and I guarantee you, that you won't be disappointed at all.