Ever drop a small screw, tiny part or a contact lens and spent hours looking for it? You can skip this frustrating time-wasting process and find elusive small items quick as a wink. The vacuum cleaner was invented on this day in 1869 by Ives W. McGaffey, and from deep within the Carey Brothers' vault of hide-and-seek secrets, comes a related time-saving solution. When you lose small items, don't waste time crawling around. Instead, haul out the vacuum cleaner and cover the end with a piece of pantyhose or cheesecloth held in place with a rubber band. Then vacuum around where you think the missing minute item might be hiding. For cushions and tight spots, use the crevice tool again covered with some sort of cloth and that elusive little bugger will jump right up and be held against the cloth. We call it vacuum finder radar. You'll love it. And that's the On The House tip for today.