1

Brothers

Image: Juan Pablo Rodriguez

If you have siblings, you know that the relationship is often a mix of joy, complicity, and occasional rivalry.

The Wright brothers' bond was like that of any other pair of siblings. Wilbur, the eldest, was born on April 16, 1867, in Millville, Indiana. Four years later, he welcomed Orville, his younger brother and fellow adventurer, who was born on August 19, 1871, in Dayton, Ohio.

Their relationship, built on mutual respect and shared interests, led them to be the authors of nothing less than the first sustained, controlled flight in history.

2

The toy

Image: Yurii Khomitskyi

While most of us are familiar with the Wright brothers' historic achievement on December 17, 1903, you might not know how it all began.

Believe it or not, that great adventure started with a toy. That's right! In 1878, their father, Milton Wright, brought home a small flying toy made of cork and paper, which flew thanks to an elastic band. This simple object sparked the brothers' curiosity, which would later become the driving force behind their groundbreaking work.

3

Skilled mom

Image: Matt Artz

We all pick up a few tricks from our moms, don't we? Well, the Wright brothers were no exception. Their father wasn't the only one who fueled the little Wrights' curiosity; their mother, Susan Catherine Koerner Wright, also played a key role.

Susan had impressive mechanical skills and great practical problem-solving aptitudes. As the daughter of a wagon maker, she knew how to use tools to perfection, and often built household items and repaired appliances at home. Her mother's skills definitely influenced Orville and Wilbur's development!

4

Entrepreneurs

Image: Curdin

The brothers were not afraid of business and entrepreneurship—quite the opposite!

From a very young age, Wilbur and Orville dedicated their time and effort to different jobs tied to their passions. One of their earliest endeavors was a bicycle sales and repair business in Dayton, Ohio. Of course, they didn't just focus on repairs; they gave free rein to their irrepressible imagination. The pair of siblings began designing and building their own bicycles, gaining a reputation as skilled engineers and raising money to finance their experiments with flight.

5

All kinds of innovations

Image: Iqbal Pohan

On their path to becoming pioneering aviators, the Wright brothers made important contributions to transportation in many different ways.

Before them, bicycle wheels functioned adequately but often broke down and required regular maintenance. Luckily, Orville and Wilbur's ingenuity came to the rescue. The brothers created a system of greaseable wheel hubs, which provided better lubrication and, therefore, reduced the risk of failure. This innovation made bicycle maintenance less frequent and much more convenient.

6

Coin toss

Image: Derrick Treadwell

Sometimes, fate must be left to chance —and that’s exactly what Wilbur and Orville Wright did at a crucial historical moment.

When they had already succeeded in creating a machine capable of flying and transporting them, it was time for the test. But they couldn't decide which of them would be the first to test their invention, so they let a coin decide.

The coin toss declared Wilbur, the elder brother, as the first to fly their aircraft. However, that first attempt failed. So, On December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville piloted the Wright Flyer for 12 seconds, covering a distance of 120 feet and becoming the first man to do so in history.

7

$1,000 plane

Image: History in HD

Did you know that the Wright Flyer—that impressive creation that allowed humans to fly sustainably for the first time in history—cost about $1,000?

That's right! For such an achievement, that price could be considered modest, right? However, the brothers worked very hard to reach their goal.

As you know, the money from their bicycle business, along with income from other ventures, provided the funds they needed to acquire the parts for numerous prototypes, conduct countless tests, and finally build and launch their spectacular airplane.

8

Together

Image: Chalo Garcia

Wilbur and Orville were inseparable since childhood, yet as surprising as it may seem, the brothers only flew together in an aircraft once! This historic event took place on October 5, 1905, when they flew the Wright Flyer III.

It seems it was crucial for one brother to pilot the aircraft while the other stayed on the ground, watching over the flight to ensure the other's safety. Although one stayed on the ground while the other soared through the air, all their work was the outcome of a careful and dedicated team effort.

9

Single

Image: Jack Douglass

As you might expect, the Wright brothers' intense focus on their work left little time for other pursuits, including love.

A fun fact about their personal lives is that neither Wilbur nor Orville ever married. While they formed friendships and social connections throughout their lives, there are no known partners, romantic relationships, or commitments of that nature. One thing is clear: the Wright brothers' one and only true passion was their work!

10

Neil Armstrong souvenir

Image: NASA

Wilbur and Orville’s dream was to reach as high as they could—and so they did. However, their memory not only reached the skies but went beyond that and also reached the moon!

That's right, it was Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon, who carried a memento of the Wright brothers on his mission aboard Apollo 11. When the astronaut achieved the iconic feat of reaching the moon on July 20, 1969, he had with him a small piece of fabric from the Wright brothers' 1903 Flyer.

Through that small gesture, Armstrong honored the memory of his fellow Americans who, just like him, took a giant leap for humankind.

1

Death Cap (Amanita phalloides)

Image: Rémi Müller

The first mushroom in our list is also the most toxic in the world. It was originally found only in Europe until imported trees transported it to America and everywhere else. Over time, Death Caps adapted to native trees, enhancing their ability to proliferate.

These unassuming-looking mushrooms have tinted green caps, white stems, white gills, and a white partial veil . They grow around oak, beech, chestnut, birches, hornbeams, spruce, and pine. Death Caps fruit in summer through fall underneath these trees, and are responsible for more than 90% of all mushroom poisonings and fatalities worldwide.

2

Destroying Angel (Amanita bisporigera)

Image: Sai Kiran Belana

Another member of the Amanita species with an ominous name, the Destroying Angel is the number one toxic mushroom in North America and is extremely widespread. Its all-white cap and stem often lead to mistaken identity with button mushrooms and meadow mushrooms.

The Destroying Angel grows from a white volva egg-like sac, features gills, and has a tall, slender stem . Its stems typically range from 3 to 8 inches in length, making it stand out in the forest like an all-white apparition. None of the common lookalikes grow this tall.

3

Funeral Bell (Galerina marginata)

Image: Lucas van Oort

The Funeral Bell appears somewhat harmless, and most poisonings are from mistaken identification. This "little brown mushroom" closely resembles several edible species, including the widespread Sheathed Woodtuft.

Funeral Bells grow on rotting wood, preferring conifer species, though they are not limited to them. They are found across North America, Asia, Australia, and Europe. This mushroom features a cone-shaped brown cap, light brown gills, and a tan to rusty-brown stem . A key distinguishing feature is a membranous ring around the upper part of the stem.

4

Pholiotina rugosa (previously Conocybe filaris)

Image: Kadri Võsumäe

A common lawn mushroom prevalent in the Pacific Northwest, this deadly fungus contains amatoxins, which destroy the liver and can cause death. Pholiotina rugosa is slender, petite, and rather innocent-looking. The cap is smooth, brown, and conical, with rusty brown gills underneath . The stem is also brown and features a distinctive, prominent ring around the middle—a key identification feature.

This deadly mushroom isn’t picky about habitat. It will grow on the lawn, soil, compost, and woodchips. P. rugosa is easily transported to new locations through woodchip and compost deliveries and adapts to new environments with little trouble.

5

Fool’s Funnel (Clitocybe rivulosa)

Image: Hoejin Iwai

Fool’s Funnel grows across North America in meadows, lawns, and other grassy areas from summer through autumn. It often grows in fairy rings, and accidental consumption by children or pets is a significant concern. These toxic mushrooms are small, white, and benign-looking . The caps are white and funnel-shaped, with crowded white gills underneath. Fool’s Funnel stems are also white and lack distinctive markings.

While this fungus rarely causes death, its ingestion will cause severe pain. This mushroom contains high levels of muscarine which acts as a nerve agent when ingested.

6

Deadly Webcap (Cortinarius rubellus)

Image: Markus Spiske

Another mushroom with a foreboding name, the Deadly Webcap, is found in coniferous and mixed forests across North America. It contains a toxin called orellanine, which can cause severe kidney failure when ingested.

The Deadly Webcap bears a close resemblance to edible species like the Chanterelle , making it especially dangerous for foragers.

7

False Morel (Gyromitra esculenta)

Image: jaStra

As the name implies, the False Morel is a toxic mushroom closely resembling the highly prized Morel mushroom . It contains a toxin called gyromitrin, which can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms, seizures, and even death if ingested in large quantities.

There are multiple species of False Morels, and current evidence suggests that many are safe to eat, while Gyromitra esculenta should still be foraged with caution. Many people consume this mushroom, but only with proper preparation. This is not a mushroom you can simply sauté and eat; proper preparation is necessary to remove most of the toxins, making it "safe.

8

Common Conecap (Pholiotina rugosa)

Image: Oliver Fetter

This small brown mushroom contains the same deadly amatoxins found in the Death Cap and Destroying Angel. It is commonly found on or around wood mulch , particularly in landscaped areas. Its tendency to appear in yards makes it especially dangerous. Ingesting even a small amount of this toxic fungus can result in severe illness or death.

9

Amanita Muscaria

Image: Егор Камелев

Probably the most recognizable mushroom shape in the world is Amanita muscaria . Its stereotypical toadstool stands out in the woods thanks to its bright red cap with white spots and a white stem . These mushrooms are considered toxic and can cause pain but are unlikely to cause death.

Few mushrooms share the same scarlet hue that makes them so visible in green and brown underbrush. The white bumps on the cap also create a distinct, eye-catching pattern.

10

Green-Spored Parasol

Image: Timothy Dykes

Known as "the vomiter" for the effects it can have on anyone who consumes it, the Green-Spored Parasol has the same general shape as the Death Cap and Destroying Angel. Its stem is tall and thin, with a skirt that sits just under the cap . This cap ranges from rounded downward to wide and flat, depending on the mushroom’s age.

The symptoms from its ingestion range from extreme stomach irritation to bloody diarrhea, as well as the aforementioned vomiting. Therefore, caution is advised.

1

George Washington

Image: Alonzo Chappel, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Founding Father and first president of the United States, George Washington, enjoyed many recreational activities during his free time. He was a true outdoorsman—he loved hunting and fishing and was a devoted gardener and farmer .

It’s common knowledge that after deciding not to run for a third term, he retired to his Virginia farm and dedicated the rest of his life to farming. But one fact you may not know is that, in his youth, Washington was a frequent dancer —and rumor has it, he was even extremely good at it! He considered dancing an important social interaction, describing it as "so agreeable and innocent an amusement."

2

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Image: National Archives and Records Administration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Franklin D. Roosevelt, the only president to be elected to four consecutive terms, led the country through the critical years of the Great Depression and World War II. To maintain a clear mind while navigating such tumultuous times, Roosevelt embraced a number of pastimes. He collected books , stamps , and ship models , for example.

In addition, he was an avid swimmer . After losing the ability to walk due to polio, Roosevelt began swimming three times a week to strengthen his muscles. Following his election, the New York Daily News donated a swimming pool to the White House so he could continue his practice.

3

James A. Garfield

Image: Unknown; part of Brady-Handy Photograph Collection., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Before becoming the 20th president, James A. Garfield enjoyed fishing , hunting , and playing billiards . But he was also exceptionally intelligent and studious.

Though many people may know Garfield for serving just four months in office, he was also the first ambidextrous president of the United States . Not only could he write with both hands, but when asked a question, he could simultaneously write the answer in ancient Greek with one hand and Latin with the other. Pretty impressive, don’t you think?

4

Calvin Coolidge

Image: National Photo Company Collection, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The 30th president of the United States liked riding horses so much that he had an electronic horse installed in the White House. The device had two speeds—trot and canter—and he rode it every day.

That said, Calvin Coolidge was a taciturn man of few words, who enjoyed taking afternoon naps, earning him the nickname "Silent Cal." He also had a very particular sense of humor . He reportedly enjoyed pressing the alarm buttons in the Oval Office or hiding in the garden shrubbery to startle his Secret Service agents.

5

Jimmy Carter

Image: Tuntematon, Valkoisen talon valokuvaajat (01/20/1977 - 01/20/1981), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Throughout his life, Jimmy Carter was a curious man who never stopped doing things. He studied nuclear physics in college, could read two thousand words a minute, wrote numerous books, and even won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

But what did this brilliant man like to do in his spare time? Carter had a variety of hobbies, including painting , poetry , tennis , cycling , fly fishing , and skiing . However, the one activity in which he perhaps excelled most was woodworking . After retiring, the 39th president of the United States set up a garage workshop on his Georgia ranch, where he built furniture that was later auctioned to benefit the Carter Center.

6

John Quincy Adams

Image: Pieter Van Huffel, 1769 - 1844, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

John Quincy Adams was notoriously meticulous and kept a diary detailing his daily routine. Thanks to this, we now know that the sixth president of the United States liked to relieve the stress of the presidency with an early morning swim .

After waking up around 4 or 5 a.m., Adams would walk two miles to the Potomac River and leave his clothes on the shore before taking a swim. According to lore, one morning, a reporter named Anne Royall snatched his clothes and demanded that the president give her an interview. Adams had no choice but to answer her questions while standing deep in the river, completely naked.

7

Harry S. Truman

Image: Abbie Rowe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Harry S. Truman governed the United States from 1945 to 1953, right after World War II—a difficult and stressful time, to be sure. To blow off some steam, the 33rd president liked to immerse himself in one of his two long-time passions: reading and music .

Truman had eye problems, which prevented him from participating in sports. As a result, he became an avid reader from an early age—in fact, he once boasted of having read every book in the library by the age of 14. He was also a very skilled piano player , having started lessons at the age of seven.

8

Lyndon B. Johnson

Image: Yoichi Okamoto, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Living up to the legacy of one of the most popular presidents in American history can't be easy. But it appears that the 36th president of the United States knew just how to maintain a good balance between responsibility and leisure. During his five-year administration, Lyndon B. Johnson spent 490 days —about a quarter of his presidency— at the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall , Texas, combining work and vacation so seamlessly that the place became known as "The Texas White House."

At this ranch, Johnson had an extensive collection of vehicles . Among them was the Amphicar, an amphibious passenger car built in the 1960s, which he used to play pranks on his visitors.

9

Richard Nixon

Image: White House Photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Not many people know this, but Richard Nixon was an artistic man. He enjoyed theater—he even met his future wife during a community theater audition—and he could play five musical instruments : piano, saxophone, violin, clarinet, and accordion.

But he was also into sports. In addition to being a huge football fan, he and First Lady Pat Nixon enjoyed bowling . In fact, the Nixons were responsible for moving the White House bowling alley back to the Executive Mansion after it had been relocated to a nearby building years earlier.

10

George W. Bush

Image: Series: Photographs Related to the George W. Bush Administration, 1/20/2001 - 1/20/2009Collection: Records of the White House Photo Office (George W. Bush Administration), 1/20/2001 - 1/20/2009, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

During his free time, George W. Bush enjoyed golfing, biking, attending baseball games, and reading American history. He was also a very competitive runner .

However, when the 43rd president of the United States left office, he was only 62 years old—plenty of time to acquire a new pastime. In the years following his time in the White House, Bush surprised many by turning to painting . "I’m a painter," he told Jay Leno on The Tonight Show .

11

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Image: ddd

To relieve the stress of leadership, Dwight D. Eisenhower maintained a number of hobbies that he cultivated throughout his life. One of his main passions was golf , which he played during and after his presidency. He even kept a small putting green in the White House garden and had a four-hole practice course installed at Camp David.

But that’s not all. Ike enjoyed fishing, hunting, shooting, watching Western movies, and playing bridge. He was also an avid painter who often captured natural landscapes and gave them as gifts to friends. After leaving the White House, Ike settled on a farm near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he raised Black Angus show cows that won blue ribbons at state and county fairs.

12

John F. Kennedy

Image: Robert LeRoy Knudsen, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

John F. Kennedy was an exercise enthusiast and something of a jock. He played many sports : golf, tennis, swimming, baseball, and football. Despite being an athletic man, he enjoyed smoking between four and five cigars a day—his favorite brands were Upmanns and Monticellos!

But perhaps the hobby that most helped him relax from the tensions of the presidency was boating. Like many members of his family, John F. Kennedy loved to sail and was often photographed at sea with his wife and young children.