As long as humans have had items to carry, we have made things to carry them in.
Click start to play today’s Word Search, where you can spot containers of all kinds, from the “chest” to the “paper bag”.
As early as 38,000 BC, humans used pouches made from fibres to store and transport food and tools. One of the oldest bags ever found belonged to Otzi the Iceman, and dated to around 3,300 BC. In 1991, hikers in the Otztal Alps discovered his frozen, naturally mummified body near the border between Italy and Austria. His bag was actually a kind of wooden backpack, made with a u-shaped rod and two narrow wooden boards that held a hide sack or net with all his possessions.
As time progressed, drawstring purses became popular in ancient Rome and were used by both men and women up until the Renaissance. At the time, in Europe, men’s clothing was outfitted with pockets, but women’s garments had none. Men would also carry their bags outwardly on their body, but cultural norms dictated that women tie theirs discretely, under their clothes or close to their skin. But when pouches or purses became bulky or were positioned awkwardly, it became restrictive and frustrating for women who wanted to carry a few items around comfortably when they travelled.
Enter the modern handbag. It was initially seen as a bold, daring, and even absurd accessory. Because purses were usually hidden, when handbags were introduced, people thought it seemed like women were parading their undergarments about for everyone to see. A fashionable approach to wearing small pouches on the outside evolved in the 1800s and slowly helped change people's mindsets. Named the reticule, these pouches were delicate and decorative. By the beginning of the 20th century, demand for a more convenient and durable handbag for women exploded in the West.
One of the first people to design women’s handbags is still a leader in the fashion industry today – Louis Vuitton. In 1854, Vuitton, a luggage maker, took inspiration from the suitcase and created a small, sleek, structured bag for women. The handbag had sturdy handles, snap closures and interior pockets. For the first time, women were able to carry their belongings out in public without concerns about whether their items would fit, while still retaining some privacy!
Today, handbags seem to be an extension of women’s arms and many cannot do without them.
Can you spot all the containers and bags in today’s Word Search? Let us know if you enjoyed it at games@gulfnews.com.
