1

Florida: The American Dream car

Image: Richard R

Florida holds the record for the longest car in the world. Measuring a jaw-dropping 100 feet and 1.5 inches, this beast of a limousine stretches longer than a basketball court. Michael Dezer made it official at Dezerland Action Park in Orlando on March 1, 2022. It was rebuilt using parts from the original record-holding car. Wanna take a ride in it?

2

California: A dog on wheels—and on fire

Image: Ben Hanson

California isn’t just home to movie stars; it’s also where a dog named Tillman made record-breaking history. In 2009, Tillman flew across 330 feet on a skateboard in just 19.67 seconds. No, that’s not a typo; it took him less than 20 seconds. No motor, just pure doggy determination.

3

California: Pedaling across America at 67

Image: Tom Dillon

Lynnea C. Salvo, a retired teacher, didn’t let age slow her down. At the age of 66, she hopped on a bicycle and rode all the way, completing the first transcontinental bike ride. That’s 3,163 miles of grit, sunburn, and serious calf muscles. She wrapped up her journey on October 18, 2021, landing her a spot in the record books and in our article.

4

West Virginia: Flamingos, flamingos everywhere

Image: Vicko Mozara

If you’ve ever thought you liked flamingos, prepare to be humbled. Deborah Buscher Leck of Kearneysville, West Virginia, owns 2,595 flamingo-related items, making her the proud record-holder for the largest flamingo collection on Earth. It's pink, it's proud, and totally amazing!

5

Georgia: So many tiny chairs, so little time

Image: Haneen Alqatanani

Barbara Hartsfield of Ellenwood, Georgia, has a thing for chairs, but only the miniature kind. She’s collected 3,000 of them, each unique and meticulously displayed. It took her more than a decade to round them up. Her collection might be tiny in size, but it’s huge in charm. Who knew a chair that fits in your hand could still have so much to give you?

6

Idaho: Hula-hooping like a champ—in the pool

Image: Thomas Park

David Rush of Boise doesn’t just swim—he balances a hula hoop on his head while swimming. And not just for a few seconds. He kept that hoop steady for 16 minutes and 13 seconds, setting a Guinness World Record in 2017. If multitasking were an Olympic sport, David would be bringing home the gold, you know?

7

Iowa: The beard that wouldn't quit

Image: Multi Awesome Studio

Hans N. Langseth's beard was so legendary that it got its own posthumous world record. When he passed away in Kensett, Iowa, in 1927, his beard measured a whopping 17 feet and 6 inches long. That’s longer than most cars. His epic facial hair now lives on at the Smithsonian, preserved for curious beard fans and history buffs alike.

8

Kansas: Earsplitting basketball fans

Image: Marius Christensen

On February 13, 2017, the University of Kansas basketball fans did something no other crowd had managed before: They screamed their heads off to hit 130.4 decibels. That’s louder than a jackhammer. That way, the Jayhawks turned Allen Fieldhouse into the loudest indoor sports arena ever recorded.

9

Kentucky: The tape ball to end all tape balls

Image: Markus Spiske

Over in Louisville, the Portland Promise Center didn’t just toss out their tape; they rolled with it. They created a monstrous tape ball weighing 2,000 pounds and stretching 12 feet 9 inches around. It’s made of duct tape, packing tape, masking tape… You name it. Just don’t get too close, who knows what could happen?

10

Maryland: Crab cake heaven

Image: Andrey Stakhovskiy

Maryland takes its crab cakes seriously. How serious? Well, on September 1, 2012, Handy International in Timonium whipped up a 300-pound crab cake. That’s the size of a vending machine, but way tastier. It’s safe to say no one left that event hungry.

11

Minnesota: The fluffiest tail in town

Image: Daniel Zopf

Mr. Pugsley Addams, a silver Maine Coon from Mound, has a tail that stole the show—and the record. Measuring 18.5 inches, his tail was officially the longest on a domestic cat. That’s one unforgettable feline, don’t you think?

12

Mississippi: Cowbells ringing in unison

Image: Jamie Street

On September 10, 2015, the Mississippi State University Student Association gathered 5,748 people to ring cowbells at the same time. The result? A thunderous clanging that set a world record and probably made a few ears ring for days.

13

Alaska: Cabbage the size of a small car

Image: Arnaldo Aldana

Up in Alaska, where summer days seem to last forever, the vegetables grow big. Like, really big. Scott A. Robb set a jaw-dropping record at the Alaska State Fair with a cabbage that tipped the scales at 138.25 pounds. Scott’s no stranger to giant greens; he’s also grown record-holding turnips. There must be something in that Alaskan soil (or perhaps just a lot of fertilizer).

1

C-3PO ( Star Wars , 1977)

Few film robots are as easy to recognize as C-3PO. Introduced in Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977, this tall, golden droid was designed to handle translation and communication. Voiced in an unmistakable British accent by Anthony Daniels, his smooth metal surface, rigid stance, and gentle manner make his role in the story immediately clear. C-3PO appears in nearly every main installment of the franchise, and he was even made into toys and theme park attractions.

2

R2-D2 ( Star Wars , 1977)

Not all iconic robots speak in words. C-3PO’s companion R2-D2, first seen in Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), communicates through "beeps and whistles" rather than spoken language. He is a droid designed to assist with navigation, maintenance, and technical repairs. Within the story, he frequently carries information, fixes equipment, or helps characters escape danger. His "trashcan" shape is a masterclass in functional design, and his bravery as a "swiss-army-knife" repair droid made him arguably the most heroic character in the franchise.

3

T-800 ( The Terminator , 1984)

Is it human, or only pretending to be? When The Terminator was released in 1984, the T-800, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger in his breakout role, stood apart from earlier robots by appearing human. In fact, he’s more of a cyborg, since it combines an internal metal structure with external living tissue. Thanks to his appearance, he can move unnoticed among people, which is essential to his role in the story. Lines like "I'll be back" and "Hasta la vista, baby" are embedded in pop culture, making the T-800 one of the most iconic in cinema history.

4

Robby the Robot ( Forbidden Planet , 1956)

In 1956, long before sleek digital effects, Robby the Robot arrived on screen. His bulky metal body, exposed wiring, and clear dome head first appeared in the film Forbidden Planet . Robby can speak in full sentences, follow complex instructions, and perform tasks such as cooking, transporting people, and providing protection. After the film’s release, a similar aesthetic appeared in several television shows and movies. He was the first on-screen robot to have both a lovable personality and a complex design.

5

EVE ( WALL·E , 2008)

EVE’s design is iconic for its minimalism: she has no visible joints and no exposed mechanics. She first appears in Pixar’s 2008 animated film WALL·E . Her name means Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator, and she has a limited vocabulary. Her smooth white exterior, compact shape, and floating movement make her very different from her older, more mechanical-looking predecessors. Despite her coldness, she eventually learns the warm emotions of love.

6

Dot Matrix ( Spaceballs , 1987)

With her metallic gold body, upright posture, and humanlike mannerisms, Dot Matrix, introduced in Spaceballs (1987), was designed to resemble a "protocol droid." Yes, she is a clear parody of _Star Wars_’ C-3PO, born from the genius mind of Mel Brooks. Voiced by Joan Rivers, Dot Matrix is famous for her "Virgin Alarm" and her role as a sarcastic, overprotective governess to Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga) rather than a technical aid.

7

RoboCop ( RoboCop , 1987)

RoboCop, played by Peter Weller, is introduced as a law-enforcement cyborg, combining human elements with heavy metallic armor. In the story, he carries out police duties such as patrol, investigation, and public order enforcement using advanced technology. The design—a silver-visored helmet and hydraulic movements— symbolized 1980s corporate greed and the loss of individual identity to the machine.

8

Johnny 5 ( Short Circuit , 1986)

Unlike the sleek EVE from WALL·E , Johnny 5 looks like a prototype, with exposed wires and tank treads. He is a small robot built for military testing, with large camera-like eyes and movable arms. After an accident alters his programming, he begins to act independently rather than following commands. He asks questions, observes everyday objects, and interacts closely with human characters. This combination of curiosity, humor, and a non-threatening appearance helped make Johnny 5 an icon of 1980s science fiction.

9

Gort ( The Day the Earth Stood Still , 1951)

Appearing in The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), Gort is a seamless, 8-foot-tall silver sentinel who represents the terrifying potential of nuclear-age technology. He follows instructions precisely and does not engage in conversation with humans. In the film, his purpose is to enforce rules rather than explain them, acting only when necessary. His iconic "visored" eye that fires a disintegration beam and the phrase "Klaatu barada nikto" remain his enduring legacy.

10

Rachael (Blade Runner, 1982)

At first glance, Rachael (played by Sean Young) does not appear to be a robot at all. Introduced in Blade Runner (1982), she is an android created to blend into human society, with natural speech, human behavior, and no visible mechanical parts. Unlike earlier film robots, her design relies on appearance and memory rather than metal or machinery. In the story, she believes her memories and feelings are real. This focus on memory and identity, rather than physical ability or function, is why her role is still discussed in relation to artificial intelligence and what defines a human being.

1

Bussy day

Image: Imani

Many of us spend the day after Thanksgiving relaxing or shopping. But this is not the case for plumbers. In fact, Black Friday is the busiest day of the year for these professionals. The reasons are all too common: clogged kitchen drains, overworked garbage disposals, and toilet troubles.

2

Leftovers vs. dinner

Image: Jed Owen

Stuffing, turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie are just a few of the classic food staples we enjoy on Thanksgiving. And as delicious as that feast is, studies show most Americans actually prefer the leftovers the next day! It seems there's something special about waking up and finding that delicious meal waiting for you in the fridge.

3

A caloric day

Image: Jessica Christian

There's no denying that on Thanksgiving, we often surrender to an extra slice of pie or one more piece of turkey than usual. According to the Calorie Control Council, Americans consume between 3,000 and 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving (not counting the leftovers waiting to be eaten the next day!). For comparison, medical guidelines often recommend between 1,600 and 3,000 calories for most healthy adults.

4

Thankful crowd

Image: Carson Masterson

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is definitely a spectacular event you don't want to miss. We all know it's massive, but can you guess how many people actually attend in person? About 3.5 million! Not the best place if you're not a fan of crowds. When the parade started in 1924, the number of spectators was far smaller; around 10,000 people gathered to watch.

5

Green Bean Casserole

Image: Meghan Schiereck

Although it's now a Thanksgiving staple we can't imagine the holiday without, green bean casserole was actually invented in 1955! That's right; it was the brainchild of Dorcas Reilly, who worked for the Campbell Soup Company. Its success probably comes from the delicious flavor, quick prep, and simple ingredients: green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions.

6

Turkey or not?

Image: Megan Watson

While turkey is the main dish on most tables, surprisingly, 12% of Americans choose to skip it during the holiday. The reasons? Endless. Some prefer other dishes, others follow vegetarian diets, some want to save room for dessert, and others avoid turkey for reasons we'll reveal in the next section!

7

Drowsy dinner

Image: Sander Sammy

Feeling like taking a nap after Thanksgiving dinner? Don't worry, you're not alone. While it's true that turkey contains tryptophan, a natural sleep aid, the present amount isn't any higher than in other birds, and a few bites shouldn't make you drowsy. What actually happens is that we eat a lot of calories in a short period, which slows down our metabolism and makes us sleepy.

8

Americans' favorite

Image: Philippe Murray-Pietsch

If you thought turkey was everyone's favorite, you might want to think again! It turns out that a majority of Americans actually prefer stuffing. Specifically, 56% of Americans say they like side dishes more than turkey. For many, sides have become the real star of the meal.

9

Thanks to a miscalculation

Image: Ana Maltez

The story goes that in the 1950s, the Swanson Company overestimated how much turkey Americans would eat during the holiday and ended up with about 260 tons of frozen leftovers. But a clever salesman came to the rescue: inspired by airline meals, he suggested packaging the turkey in trays with classic sides like stuffing and peas. The result: in late 1953, Swanson launched the first TV-Dinner, and the rest is history!

10

100,000 turkey-related questions

Image: Miryam León

Even though the tradition has been around for many years, people still have many questions about their Thanksgiving turkey. In fact, the Butterball Turkey Talk Line —a legendary Thanksgiving hotline— answers more than 100,000 turkey-related questions every year! Some of the most common include: "How much turkey should I buy?" and "When and how do I thaw a turkey?"