Toothpicks are among the most straightforward of everyday items, but even they have functions hiding in plain sight.

Flat toothpicks are simply stamped out of the sheets, while round toothpicks are first cut into oversized blanks, and then fed into a milling machine called a "rounder," which grinds them down ...

Diamond flat toothpicks should be available at Walmart and most grocery stores. You can also order them on Amazon. DEAR SUN SPOTS: I want to send a big thank you to the kind gentleman who gave me ...