Happy Birthday

GEM Asked:

Dear Genius,
I was just wondering about birthdays. How/why was the tradition of blowing the candles out started? Before the "Happy Birthday" song was written, did people sing anything to the birthday person? Who instituted the idea of giving cards in recognition of the special day, and how did they come up with the idea? How long have people been celebrating birthdays? What were some of the earlier birthday traditions that we don't have anymore today?


GEM

The Greeks put candles on round cakes to make them glow like the moon, hoping to gain Artemis' (the god of the moon) favor. The candles were intended to carry the birthday wishes up to God (or the gods), along with the smoke.

Who said they had to sing anything?!

The Egyptians and the Chinese.

almost since the beginning of time.

There are not really any more or less traditions now then there was

And can someone please tell me who left this comment?

As far as pencils go, I know you have to use a #2 pencil on school for scantron tests because it makes it easiest for the machine to recognize your marks/answers.

Question: Hi Paul,

I hope things are going well for you. I haven't talked with you in forever so I assume you are knee-deep in work like the rest of us. The Xmas break will be good for all of us.
Mari

I have a philosophical math question that I hope you can shed some light on.

Is it important for:
students to memorize and use algorithms and logarithms to get an accurate solution
vs
constructing a unique process that reveals an accurate response using problem solving skills?

Pun

I crossed a cell phone with a skunk, and now the service stinks.



Posted by Tanner Peterson
And not by