BRANDS: When is the last time you took some acetylsalicylic acid? Doesn’t the name ring a bell? Maybe you know it better under its more common name, aspirin.

Aspirin was originally the trademarked name Bayer had given to its product. We came across a list recently of items that are best known by the brand name, even if people don’t realize it.The website for Digital Synopsis had a list of 50 such products.

Bubble wrap is one. It’s generic name is actually “inflated cushioning.” We’re not making this up. Sealed Air Corp. owns the trademarked name of bubble wrap.

Dumpster is another. Dempster Brothers Inc. owns the trademarked name for the “front loader waste container.”

Fiberglass, with a generic name of glass wool, is a trademark owned by Owens Corning.

Jet ski is a brand name for a stand-up, personal watercraft. Kawasaki is the trademark owner.

Did you know Lava Lamp is a trademark held by Mathmos? The generic term is “liquid motion lamp.”

Popsicle is the trademarked name of ice pops, and is owned by Good Humor-Breyers.

And super glue is the trademarked name of cyanoacrylate adhesive. Appropriately enough, the trademark is owned by Super Glue Corp.

Even Velcro is a brand name, owned by Velcro Company. The generic name is “hook-and-loop fastener.”

The list continues, explaining cellophane, dry ice, escalator, kerosene, heroin, laundromat, thermos, trampoline and even videotape were at one time brand names.

We’re sure there are even more brands that are commonly used interchangeably with the product. In the south, it’s common for people to call carbonated beverages “Coke” no matter the brand or flavor. Closer to home, we’ve heard people call all lighters “Zippos.”

Pretty neat.

QUOTE: When we come across a quote that seems apropos to the times, we like to share it. Here’s a good example: “If we open a quarrel between past and present, we shall find that we have lost the future.” — Winston Churchill