1

Rich Uncle Pennybags

Image: Maria Lin Kim

Board games are popular, at least some of them. Clue, Pictionary, Monopoly—we’ve all played at least one of these. But Monopoly’s popularity is something else. And it’s not just the game’s popularity but the fine man who is the face of the brand.

Rich Uncle Pennybags was introduced in 1936 and is widely known as Mr. Monopoly. This rich guy, dressed in a smart tuxedo, turned out to be so popular that he’s been incorporated into the brand’s logo altogether.

2

Tony the Tiger

Image: Franki Chamaki

Introduced in 1951, Tony the Tiger has been a fixture in, possibly, every single household in the United States and many more countries around the world.

With his classic blue background, Tony the Tiger successfully helped Kellogg’s skyrocket as a brand and made not only the mascot but the cereal truly unforgettable. In spite of being a tiger, Tony is known for his courageous messages and friendly smile that invites consumers to take a scoop of cereal and be ready to face the day. Who doesn’t need this shot of inspiration every morning? We can definitely count on Tony the Tiger for that!

3

Pillsbury Doughboy

Image: Kelsey Todd

This fluffy, adorable mascot, affectionately known as Poppin’ Fresh has been making kitchens a little brighter since 1965.

His real name is the Pillsbury Doughboy, and he is famous for his infectious laugh that erupts whenever someone pokes his belly. Dressed in his signature white chef’s hat and scarf, this giggling, chubby fella is the best company one can have when baking. If you have any doubts, you can ask this baking master!

4

Gritty

Image: Lynda Sanchez

If chaos had a face, it would definitely be Gritty! This wild-eyed, orange furball took the world by storm as the official mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers NHL team.

He made his debut in 2018 and soon became a favorite thanks to his unpredictable antics and meme-worthy expressions, which you are surely familiar with!

Both his personality and his color are quite loud, making him quite unforgettable, as orange is also the color of the team. It represents their essence: unapologetically weird and proud of it!

5

Smokey Bear

Image: Brian Wangenheim

Nature is truly a wonder, but in order to keep it that way, we need to protect it. Now, when it comes to this, warning messages have effectively prevented people from accidentally starting wildfires, thanks to a strong brown bear with a powerful message "Only you can prevent wildfires."

The campaign started in 1944 when Smokey Bear was introduced to the nation to spread the message across radio, TV, and print media. In no time, he became a success and a mighty figure of environmental protection.

6

Mr. Met

Image: Lesly Juarez

The spring of 1963 must be a loving memory for Mets fans: that’s when their mascot, Mr. Met, was born. And he came to this world with only one purpose, to cheer the New York Mets for life, and oh-boy did he accomplish it!

For over four decades, and with a partner in crime who joined the family in the mid-1960s, Lady Met, this baseball-loving mascot with a giant baseball for a head, has not only been a mascot but has also become part of the family. Is he a part of yours?

7

Kool-Aid Man

Image: Reba Spike

This brand is one of the most consumed in America and, even though they didn’t need a mascot to be successful, the Kool-Aid man surely brought around a fair dose of cuteness and good marketing.

Originally known as Pitcher Man, which made sense since he is the drawing of a pitcher, he was later renamed Kool-Aid Man with a clear target audience: children. Once again, the brand mascot made it an undeniable success, and it soon became a cultural icon with an iconic "Oh, Yeah!" catchphrase that can make you thirsty just from reading it! Thank goodness we have the Kool-Aid man to assist us there!

8

The Laughing Cow

Image: Kenny Eliason

This brand has a namesake mascot which, ever since it was created in 1921, has undergone quite an evolution! The cheerful cow, known as the Laughing Cow, first appeared to promote high-quality dairy products when packaged cheese was a novelty.

The character, highly recognizable for its red color, has graced all kinds of the company’s product packages and has become a synonym for quality dairy products, so much so, that it continues to be the logo of the brand today!

9

Big Tex

Image: Ray Shrewsberry

If you are from Texas, or if you have attended its State Fair, you are probably familiar with this 55-foot-tall state mascot. Big Tex, the official mascot of the State Fair of Texas was introduced in 1952 as a repurposed Santa Claus figure!

At the time, he was completely transformed into the towering cowboy we all know today. With his classic cowboy hat and his iconic greeting "Howdy, folks!" However, it’s not entirely fair to call him just a mascot, as he actually serves as a cultural ambassador for everyone who visits the State Fair.

10

Cy the Cardinal

Image: Jacob Rice

Cereal, cleaning products, sports teams—mascots are everywhere. And universities also have their furry friends. In the case of Iowa State University, Cy the Cardinal is the one and he has been ever since 1954.

Born from a student contest to create a mascot that embodied the school pride, Cy was inspired by the university’s nickname, the Cyclones. He is characterized by his vibrant red plumage and his big smile, which is key to rallying fans at any sporting event. Isn’t he fierce?

1

Althea Gibson

Image: Josephine Gasser

Born in 1927, Althea Gibson was an American tennis player and a professional golfer. As a sportswoman her ability was extraordinary, but her major achievement was breaking the color barrier in tennis in the 1950s.

Althea was the first African-American woman to play the U.S. National Championships and the first black woman to win a Grand Slam in 1956.

She won 11 Grand Slams, five singles titles, five doubles, and one mixed doubles title. And she opened the door for other black sportswomen to be under the spotlight. Quite impressive, right?

2

Eleanor Roosevelt

Image: René DeAnda

If aviation or sports were controversial places for women, imagine politics! But that didn’t stop Eleanor Roosevelt, a key figure in American politics .

As Franklin D. Roosevelt’s wife, who presided over America from 1933 to 1945, Eleanor was the longest-serving first lady of the United States and, as such she was unwaveringly committed to the people. She redefined the concept of the first lady.

She advocated for human rights and social justice and used her position to work for women, African Americans, and the impoverished. And to top it all, she was a central figure in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

3

Amelia Earhart

Image: Tomas Martinez

Even if she was born in 1897, Amelia is considered a key figure of the 20th century because she was an aviation pioneer . As such she broke several records: She was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic and the first to promote commercial air travel.

But that wasn’t all, Amelia was an activist for women’s rights and wrote best-selling books narrating her adventures as a pilot. The mysteries behind her disappearance during her flight across the Pacific only made her a bigger icon.

4

Estée Lauder

Image: Towfiqu barbhuiya

Most of the professions held by the women in this article are accepted for women today, but not so long ago, being a woman and a successful businessperson wasn’t very common: That was the case with Estéé Lauder who launched her eponymous cosmetics company with her husband.

The brand's success never went unnoticed and it is a best-selling company in the present world. But to top her achievements, Lauder was listed as one of the 20 most influential businesspeople of the century!

5

Aretha Franklin

Image: Alberto Bigoni

During the 20th century, the music industry has seen some of the best singers and songwriters of all time. America has no shortage of talented musicians, but being named the Queen of Soul is something else altogether!

Aretha was a black singer, songwriter, and pianist, and her music gained her the Rolling Stones magazine recognition of "Greatest Singer of All Time" not once, but twice! Not to mention the 18 Grammy Awards or the Presidential Medal of Freedom, among other acknowledgments.

Her music has inspired millions of people around the world and it is still a reference in music and culture today.

6

Marilyn Monroe

Image: Jarvik Joshi

Marylin doesn’t need any kind of introduction, does she? She was and still is to this day a pop culture icon. Her work as an actress had a massive impact on the entertainment industry, but her work as a model did something else to the fashion industry: She was known as the "blonde bombshell" and gave birth to a true revolution in terms of body shapes, relationships, and more.

Influential and controversial depending on who talked about her, she was living proof that there is no such thing as bad marketing: All things considered, she still was the best-paid Hollywood actress of the time.

7

Helen Keller

Image: Aaron Burden

Keller’s story is both shocking and inspiring at the same time. At only 19 months of age, Hellen lost her sight and hearing due to an illness. But having a rough childhood never stopped her. Instead, and despite her disability, she became an advocate for the rights of disabled people, a political activist, and a lecturer.

She wrote 14 books, and hundreds of speeches and fought for women’s right to vote, labor rights, and world peace. If you want to be inspired by her story, you can read her autobiography The Story of My Life .

8

Julia Child

Image: Alyson McPhee

French cuisine is exquisite and we’ve got Julia Child to thank for the fact that we Americans know about it. Child revolutionized American cooking by bringing French cuisine to America through her cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking and her television show "The French Chef."

In her TV show, Child taught French cooking techniques in a way that is accessible to everyone. She was approachable and enthusiastic which made her an influential figure beyond the kitchen, she was a cultural icon.

9

Toni Morrison

Image: Olga Tutunaru

In the field of literature, Morrison is our chosen one since she was a true giant. Toni Morrison wrote novels that deeply influenced American literature and culture as well.

Her writing made her the first African American woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. In her novels, like Beloved, Sula, and Song of Solomon , Morrison explores the topics of identity, race, history, and heritage. Her characters offer deep insights into the African American experience and humanity which makes her legacy an everlasting one.

10

Rosa Parks

Image: Ant Rozetsky

No article about influential women of the 20th century would be complete if we didn’t mention Rosa Parks.

In 1955, she refused to give her seat on a bus to a white passenger. Her courageous act of defiance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and initiated the modern Civil Rights Movement. With a simple, but huge action, she challenged the whole system of racial segregation and inspired a nationwide movement for equality.

The bus boycott was the beginning, yet her work continued beyond that as she fought tirelessly for civil rights for the rest of her life.

1

Goldfinger: Aston Martin DB5

Image: Ulf Meyer

The ultimate Bond ride came dressed in silver-gray elegance, blending timeless style with secret-agent swagger. Beneath its polished curves, it packed a clever arsenal—hidden machine guns, retractable defenses, and even an ejector seat! Tipping the scales at roughly 3,300 pounds, it could push up to 145 miles per hour, a thrill worthy of 007 himself. And while that famous red eject button looked ready for action, it was all Hollywood magic—no villains actually took flight.

2

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: Ferrari 250 GT California

Image: Joshua Koblin

Even though the Ferrari in John Hughes’ popular teen comedy, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, was actually a replica —made to protect the real $250,000 classic from any on-set mishaps—it looked every bit as stunning as the genuine Italian beauty. With its smooth, elegant curves and that unmistakable engine roar, it captured the hearts of viewers and brought pure charm to the big screen. The Ferrari 250 GT California is as much a star as Ferris himself.

3

The Love Bug: Volkswagen Beetle

Image: kampfmonchichi

"Herbie" wasn’t just a car—he was a character with personality, spunk, and a soft spot for underdogs. Painted bright white with bold racing stripes and the unmistakable number 53, this little Volkswagen Beetle won hearts on and off the track. And here’s the charming part: no fancy computer wizardry brought him to life. Every wink, bounce, and "expression" you saw was pulled off with clever mechanics and old-school camera magic.

4

The Graduate: Alfa Romeo 1600 Duetto Spider

Image: emkanicepic

This bright red convertible became nearly as iconic as the tune "Mrs. Robinson" itself. Sleek, nimble, and full of charm, it could glide along the road at around 118 mph, turning heads wherever it went. More than just a prop, it became part of the film’s personality. And here’s a little nugget of trivia: before filming began, Dustin Hoffman had never driven a stick shift. Once he got the role, he had to master the art of shifting gears in record time, adding a dash of real-life nerves to those on-screen drives.

5

Bullitt: 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390

Image: Zhiqiang Wang

Steve McQueen and this dark green Mustang delivered pure cinematic thrills on the steep streets of San Francisco. The chase ran close to 10 full minutes—a rumbling, tire-squealing ballet that filmmakers have tried to imitate ever since. Under the hood, a growling V8 provided the muscle, while McQueen himself slid behind the wheel for many of the hair-raising maneuvers. Every jump, skid, and sharp corner helped cement it as one of cinema’s all-time great rides.

6

Ghostbusters: 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor

Image: voltamax

The Ghostbusters’ unforgettable Ecto-1 was based on a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance/hearse. For the movie, it was transformed into a quirky, gadget-covered ghost-chasing machine, complete with flashing lights, sirens, and a roof stacked with mysterious equipment. This Cadillac became as much a character as the crew itself. Its over-the-top look made it instantly recognizable and turned it into a pop culture legend.

7

Back to the Future: DeLorean DMC-12

Image: Joel Muniz

With its brushed stainless steel body and those dramatic gull-wing doors that unfolded like a bird in flight, the DeLorean already looked futuristic before the time-travel magic began. On screen, it came equipped with the now-legendary "flux capacitor," a gizmo that, sadly, was pure movie magic. Even so, the rules of the story were clear; if you wanted to bend the laws of time, you had to floor it to exactly 88 mph. And yes, fans still quote that number like gospel.

8

Smokey and the Bandit: 1977 Pontiac Trans Am

Image: Photogon (Warren Valentine)

Burt Reynolds and that sleek black Trans Am—complete with the glittering golden firebird splashed across its hood—were a match made in movie heaven. With a top speed around 110 mph, it wasn’t just for show; this car had the muscle to back up its attitude. The stunt work was just as daring as it looked, with jaw-dropping jumps that thrilled audiences. Of course, the landings weren’t always smooth—more than a few Trans Ams met their end for the sake of those unforgettable scenes!

9

The Spy Who Loved Me : Lotus Esprit Series I

Image: Andras Stefuca

In the 1970s, more sleek, wedge-shaped sports cars replaced the curvy styles of earlier years. Cars like the Lancia Stratos and Lamborghini Countach changed the game with their sharp, futuristic look. Following that trend, Roger Moore slid behind the wheel of a white Lotus Esprit Series I in The Spy Who Loved Me . But what people remember the most about it is when Bond drives it straight into the sea, where it morphs into a fully equipped submarine! Fins and stabilizers pop out as it glides underwater, then it drives back onto the beach, leaving onlookers truly amazed.

10

The Italian Job: Mini Cooper S 1275

Image: Alex P

Compact, nimble, and unmistakably British, the Mini Coopers in The Italian Job didn’t just drive—they darted. On screen, they bounced down staircases, squeezed through narrow alleys, and even sped through tunnels like they were built for it. The funny part? British Motor Corporation wanted nothing to do with the film, so the production had to buy 36 cars outright. And here’s a bit of trivia to impress your friends: despite being the star, Michael Caine never once drives any of the Minis in the movie .

11

Vanishing Point: 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T

Image: Jonathan Nabais

This powerful white muscle car tore through the roads from Denver to San Francisco, racing against the clock. Weighing roughly 3,800 pounds, it packed a mighty HEMI engine under the hood—enough raw power to leave most challengers in the dust. With speed, grit, and sheer determination, it pushed the limits, turning the journey into one thrilling, high-octane ride to remember.

12

Batman: Lincoln Futura

Image: Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Before it became the legendary Batmobile we all know, this 19-foot futuristic prototype was showing off its sleek lines at auto shows. Then, in just 15 days, American designer and builder of Hollywood custom cars, George Barris, worked his magic. He added those unforgettable fins, jet engines, and clever gadgets that turned the Lincoln Futura into a TV icon. What began as a simple concept became one of the most recognizable cars in television history.