Who would have thought a small piece of wood used for picking food out of people's teeth could be art? Burlingame resident Steven Backman saw the possibilities when he was 5 years old. Backman's love ...

Through dedication, proper planning and creative thinking, the teenager built a record-breaking toothpick tower, reflecting his deep passion for engineering.

Toothpicks may seem like ordinary objects, but they carry a rich and curious history dating back to ancient civilisations. From tools of hygiene to symbols of class, and even instruments of innovation ...