The Washboard: An Antique Laundry Essential
The washboard, a simple yet effective tool, played a crucial role in domestic life before the advent of modern washing machines. Typically made of wood or metal, it features a ridged surface that allows users to scrub clothes by hand.
Historical Significance
Dating back to the early 19th century, washboards became commonplace in households, particularly in North America.
They were often used by women, who would stand over a tub filled with water and soap to clean their family’s garments. The washboard was not just a practical item but also a symbol of the hard work and resourcefulness of women during this time.
How It Works
Using a washboard involves a straightforward process:
- Preparation: Fill a tub with water and add soap.
- Scrubbing: Place a soiled garment against the ridged surface of the washboard, and rub it back and forth to remove dirt.
- Rinsing: After scrubbing, the garment is rinsed in clean water to remove soap and grime.
- Drying: Finally, the washed clothes are wrung out and hung to dry.
Elon Musk Just Had His 12th Baby, and People Noticed One Detail
Elon Musk, the 52-year-old Tesla founder and tech mogul, quietly welcomed a new member to his ever-growing family earlier this year. The baby’s mother is Shivon Zilis, the director of special projects at Neuralink Corp., another of Musk’s ventures.
A private family life
Musk and his partners have consistently aimed to shield their children’s lives from the public eye. This commitment to privacy was underscored in September 2023, when Claire Boucher, better known as Grimes and the mother of three of Musk’s children, took to X (formerly Twitter) to request privacy for their children. In a lengthy post, she addressed the media frenzy surrounding her co-parenting relationship with Musk and the recent revelation of their third child, a son named Techno Mechanicus, born shortly after Musk’s children with Zilis.
Musk’s expanding family
Elon Musk’s journey into fatherhood began in 2002 with the birth of his first son, Nevada Alexander, with his first wife, Justine Wilson. Tragically, Nevada passed away at 10 weeks old due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Wilson and Musk later had twins, Vivian Jenna, and Griffin, in 2004, followed by triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian in 2006, all conceived through IVF.
In May 2020, Musk and Grimes welcomed their first child together, a son named X Æ A-Xii. The couple later had a daughter via surrogate in December 2021, named Exa Dark Sideræl. Around the same time, Musk secretly welcomed twins Strider and Azure with Shivon Zilis in November 2021.
The revelation of Musk’s newest child coincides with the release of Walter Isaacson’s 2023 biography about Musk, which disclosed the birth of Musk and Grimes’ third child, a son named Techno Mechanicus, who also goes by “Tau.”
Musk confirmed the birth of his latest child with Shivon Zilis, dismissing any notions of secrecy. “As for ‘secretly fathered,’ that is also false,” he stated. “All our friends and family know. Failure to issue a press release, which would be bizarre, does not mean ‘secret,’” he added. Despite this clarification, the sex and name of Musk’s youngest child remain undisclosed, highlighting the couple’s commitment to privacy.
The online buzz
The news of Elon Musk’s 12th child came as a surprise to those who follow his life online. Comparisons to Nick Cannon, known for his large family, quickly surfaced. “Nick Cannon and Elon single-handedly repopulating the earth,” joked one Instagram user. “Elon and Nick Cannon competing?” and “Nick, you got 24 hours to respond!” were other common comments.
Elon Musk’s personal life has often been a topic of intense public interest and scrutiny, given his high-profile relationships and significant professional achievements. His growing brood of children and the dynamics between his partners illustrate the complexities of his personal life, often played out under the public’s watchful eye.
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