Did Ya Know?

The mechanical bull as an entertainment device as well as the commercial use of mechanical bulls gained popular appeal with the release of the 1980 movie Urban Cowboy.John Travolta demonstrated the art of riding a mechanical bull to the larger movie-going population. The mechanical bull featured in this movie was the El Toro brand of mechanical bull. This brand of mechanical bull is still in circulation, but does not carry the same safety features that are available on more current models, like the quick shut off switch.

An abacus may be considered the
 first type of cash register. An abacus, which is a frame that holds beads 
suspended on wires, was used by merchants in Mesopotamia 
around 5000 BC.