Who'da thunk it?

I have a fear of electronics. No, I don't have nightmares about being attacked by track-ball mouses or being pummeled by motherboards...I'm constantly afraid of destroying my electronics, especially the expensive ones. Whenever I go abroad and plug my laptop in...I have a brief vision of the screen exploding and the entire machine bursting into flames. So far, so good...but I have never been to a country where the voltage was stronger than in the U.S. and Europe's voltage is 220. My dad (one of the smartest people I know...) originally told me I would need to purchase a step-down converter. Guess what? They're super expensive. I've been shopping around and comparing prices on different models, P.O.ed that I only bought the universal adapter last year and not one with a power converter.
My search ended the other day in my local STA (Student Travel Agency) office. I initially went in to inquire after Britrail passes and the possibility of renting vespas in Rome, but when I saw adapters for sale the conversation shifted. I asked to examine the converter and shared my electronic fears with the agent. "Oh, but don't you know?" She asked. I told her I didn't "know" anything, and she proceeded to tell me that I didn't need a step-down converter at all! Oh? Could this be true? "The black box your cord plugs into" she explained "it can convert voltage." I needed to be sure. I came home and examined that little black box (which, honestly I had never paid attention to before) and saw that, according to the label, that little box converted up to 240V. HUZZAH! I'm so glad I found this out before purchasing another converter! I decided to check some of my other electronics, and sure enough even my hair straightener could convert up to 240V! Incredible, no? Looks like that universal adapter was a good buy after all.