On this day in 1841, John Rand won a patent for the first collapsible roll-up tube. It was used for everything from toothpaste and glue to ointments and caulk. Today, they’re still used for many things and one sees them everywhere. Even though Rand’s first tubes were made of soft lead rather than today’s soft vinyl plastic hybrids, we’re sure his problems were the same as ours today. Within weeks, he probably found his tubes' caps hopelessly glued and stuck in place. When you first open a tube of practically anything, coat the threads with petroleum jelly for a smooth on-and-off lifespan. And that's the On The House tip for today.