1

Big Mac (McDonald's)

Image: amirali mirhashemian

Two beef patties, shredded lettuce, dill pickles, onions, cheddar cheese, and a special sauce, all topped with two seeded buns. That's the Big Mac, McDonald's flagship product and one of the world's best-selling fast food dishes.

The idea of the Big Mac as we know it today was originally conceived in the mid-1960s by entrepreneur Jim Delligatti, owner of one of the brand's first franchises. The name of the iconic burger, however, was suggested by a 21-year-old secretary working in McDonald's advertising department.

2

Classic Pretzel (Auntie Anne’s)

Image: Pierre Gui

If we talk about the best fast food snacks, pretzels must be included. In the United States, "pretzel" is synonymous with Auntie Anne's. This franchised chain, founded in 1988 , now boasts more than 1,300 stores across the country.

Everyone has followed the scent of these freshly baked pretzels at the mall or the airport at least once. It’s impossible to resist their buttery, salty, and delicious flavor that transports us to another world entirely. No wonder their slogan is "Pretzel Perfect"!

3

Curly fries (Arby’s)

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Fries never disappoint, but if they come in a novel spiral shape, well-seasoned, and perfectly sized to devour in one bite, we're looking at one of the most incredible fries ever created.

While Arby's may not have invented curly fries, it was certainly the company that brought them to fame. Arby's introduced these crispy and delicious Cajun-style seasoned fries in 1988, and they have been a hit ever since.

4

Chicken tenders (Popeyes)

Image: Samuel Isaacs

Many fast food chains offer their version of the chicken nugget, but since Popeyes specializes in fried chicken, it's no surprise that they have one of the best versions of chicken tenders on the market.

If you haven't tried Popeyes' take on this classic American dish, you should. Their tenders are famous for their juicy chicken and their secret blend of crunchy coating. Pair them with the dipping sauce of your choice, and you’re good to go!

5

Cajun fries (Five Guys)

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Five Guys is best known for their delicious burgers, but perhaps the dish that sets them apart from other chains is their Cajun fries.

Tender on the inside and crunchy on the outside, these fries are truly unique. Once fried, they are tossed in a special blend of Cajun spices —garlic powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, onion powder, and more! They are flavorful with just the right amount of spice. Have a kick with Five Guys' cajun fries!

6

Glazed doughnut (Krispy Kreme)

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Krispy Kreme has been around since 1937, and in those many years of history, it has created hundreds of different doughnut flavors. Yet, the glazed doughnut remains a classic that never fails to impress.

Its light, fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth texture paired with that crackly glaze transports anyone back to their childhood in an instant—especially if you're lucky enough to get them fresh out of the oven!

7

Fried chicken (KFC)

Image: Aleks Dorohovich

One of Popeyes' biggest competitors is, without a doubt, Kentucky Fried Chicken. While Popeyes is known for its chicken tenders, KFC is famous for its giant buckets of fried chicken.

KFC's signature dish is fried, on-the-bone chicken pieces seasoned with Colonel Harland Sanders' "Original Recipe" of 11 herbs and spices—and we all love it. Whether you have them at a Fourth of July celebration or during a football game, KFC's fried chicken has that nostalgic effect that keeps you going!

8

Whopper (Burger King)

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If there's one thing we've always associated with Burger King, it's that distinctive grilled flavor. And the best representation of that flavor is its signature dish, the Whopper burger.

Although the ingredients of this gigantic sandwich, created in the late 1950s , are quite simple—one beef patty, lettuce, tomato, and pickles—it’s a favorite among fast food lovers around the world.

9

Italian B.M.T. (Subway)

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Subway is one of the largest fast-food chains in the world, specializing in submarine sandwiches. While everyone can create their own custom sandwich with fresh ingredients of their choice, Subway has a best-selling sandwich that has become an all-time classic.

Subway's Italian B.M.T.—short for "Biggest, Meatiest, Tastiest"—is served on freshly baked bread and filled with a combination of three types of deli meats: salami, pepperoni, and ham. According to lore, the name also references the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit subway line. Did you know that?

10

Blizzard (Dairy Queen)

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A list of the best fast food items wouldn't be complete without including at least one ice cream product. Many chains offer incredible alternatives, but Dairy Queen is, well, the queen of soft serve.

Dairy Queen's staple product, the Blizzard, was introduced in 1985 , and that same year, the company sold more than 100 million desserts. Today, there are almost 20 different Blizzard flavors, each with the best toppings. From cookies to candy, there's a delicious option for everyone!

11

Baconator (Wendy’s)

Image: Batu Gezer

Wendy's is an American fast-food restaurant, founded in 1969, famous for its square patties. It offers a large number of products, all equally delicious. But even though it was only introduced in 2007, the Baconator has become one of its flagship products, helping the company increase its sales.

A perfect combination of beef, American cheese, and crispy smoked bacon makes this burger a favorite among consumers across the country.

12

Onion rings (Burger King)

Image: Alejandro Aznar

French fries are the ultimate fast food side dish, but every once in a while, it's nice to switch things up and try something new. Burger King's onion rings are definitely a safe bet.

Tender and sweet on the inside, and crunchy on the outside, this classic American treat consists of sliced onions covered in batter and breadcrumbs, then deep-fried. Overall, it's the perfect snack for dipping into your favorite sauce!

1

Toilet paper capital of the world

Image: Erik Mclean

It may sound like a peculiar thing to be proud of, but if the first splinter-free toilet paper in the world had been created in your town, chances are you would be just as delighted by this local achievement.

Until the early 1900s, cheap mail-order publications were the economical wipe of choice. But in 1935, a Green Bay paper producer developed a method of "linenizing" paper, which made toilet paper both softer and "splinter-free."

2

Leap year capital of the world

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While it might seem like a good reason, the twin towns of Anthony, New Mexico, and Anthony, Texas, were not actually founded on February 29.

In 1988, a member of the local Chamber of Commerce who had a February 29 birthday proposed a community festival on that date . Since then, the celebration has grown each year to include events and a popular parade.

3

Earmuff capital of the world

Image: Jad M.

Earmuffs are essential in cold climates, and the citizens of Farmington, Maine, are well aware of this. That’s why the town celebrates Chester Greenwood Day every first Saturday in December, honoring the local inventor of the handy device.

4

Lost luggage capital of the world

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Did you know that all lost and unclaimed luggage from U.S. airlines ends up in a single location? Scottsboro, Alabama, is home to the Unclaimed Baggage Center , which, since 1970, has sold, donated, or recycled these items for the public, making it the only lost-luggage retailer of its kind in the country.

5

Speed capital of the world

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If speed is the measure by which a place is judged, being called the "world capital of speed" might not be such an unreasonable claim. Northwestern Utah is home to a massive, 30,000-acre expanse of barren salt flats where the Bonneville Speedway is located.

This stretch is used for extreme motorsports, and several land speed records have been set here, earning the area its famous title.

6

Shark attack capital of the world

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This infamous title goes to New Smyrna Beach, Florida. According to the International Shark Attack File—a scientifically verified database of global shark attacks—this town is indeed the Shark Attack Capital of the World, and anyone who has swum here has likely been within 10 feet of a shark.

Fortunately, shark attacks along this central Florida coastline rarely prove fatal, and the number of incidents has declined in recent years, likely due to changing migration patterns of the blacktip shark.

7

Barbed wire capital of the world

Image: Daniel Eledut

Barbed wire was not invented in La Crosse, Kansas, but it certainly plays a significant role in the town’s history. Much of this product passed through the midwestern town after its invention in the late 1800s, becoming an important part of La Crosse’s settlement and agricultural development.

By the 1960s, La Crosse had become a major hub for barbed wire collectors , leading to the establishment of the Kansas Barbed Wire Museum .

8

Corn cob pipe capital of the world

Image: Daniel Gregoire

While pipes may not be as ubiquitous as they once were, corn cob pipes are even rarer these days. But in Washington, Missouri, these corncob products are still a popular item.

In 1869, a local woodworker invented the pipe , and its success led to a whole roster of corn cob pipe manufacturers. Today, the only factory in the world still solely dedicated to making these pipes is located in Washington, Missouri.

9

Decoy capital of the world

Image: Susan Weber

It took a lot of wooden ducks to earn this town the title of Decoy Capital of the World. At one point, more wooden ducks and geese were carved here than anywhere else on Earth.

Originally used strictly to lure waterfowl for hunters, these decoys have since become collectors’ items and treasured works of art. In 1986, the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum opened to preserve the town’s historical and cultural legacy.

10

Carpet capital of the world

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If you think most carpets are still made in the Middle East, think again. Approximately 90% of the world’s carpet comes from the city of Dalton, Georgia . More than 30,000 people are employed in its massive carpet industry—impressive considering the city’s population is just under 35,000.

11

Cow chip throwing capital of the world

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If tossing a piece of dried cow manure like a Frisbee sounds like your idea of fun, Beaver, Oklahoma, is the place to be. Every April, the town hosts the world’s largest cow chip throwing competition.

12

Farm toy capital of the world

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Farm toys may disappear once there are no kids in the house—but not in Dyersville, Iowa, the Farm Toy Capital of the World. This town is home to the National Farm Toy Museum , which houses the largest collection of its kind and attracts approximately 30,000 visitors each year.

1

The Real Huckleberry Finn

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As mentioned earlier, Huckleberry Finn was, at least in part, based on a real person. Much of Mark Twain’s inspiration comes from his own life and experiences. Though Huckleberry Finn is a fictional character, his appearance, demeanor, and lifestyle closely mirror almost exactly Mr. Twain’s dear childhood friend, Tom Blankenship.

Huckleberry Finn first appeared in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer before becoming the central figure in his own story, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn , a work widely regarded as a cornerstone of American literature.

2

Education

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Mark Twain’s intellectual achievements might suggest he was a highly academically educated individual, but that was not the case. He had to leave school at a very early age to help support his family after his father’s death.

After he dropped out of school, Twain began working at the Hannibal Journal , where his writing career would find its start. Always the avid reader, he was known to spend hours each evening in the library, immersing himself in books.

3

Steamboat pilot

Image: Andreas Haubold

In 1857, Mark Twain began his career as an apprentice steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River . Soon after, he recruited his younger brother to work on the vessel as well, but tragedy struck one day as he died from an explosion on the steamboat. Despite this heartbreaking event, Twain continued his training and earned his pilot’s license in 1859, working as a pilot until the outbreak of the Civil War.

In June 1902, he paid his final visit to the Mississippi River when he accepted an honorary degree at the University of Missouri in Columbia and participated in the dedication of a steamboat named in his honor.

4

Pen Names

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It is a well-known fact that Mark Twain, though a great name indeed, was not our hero’s real birthname which was Samuel Langhorne Clemens . Choosing a memorable pen name can be a lengthy process, and many authors experiment with a few before settling on one.

Before adopting the now-famous "Mark Twain," Clemens tested out some unusual pseudonyms, including "Epaminondas Adrastus Blab" and "Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass."

5

Miner years

Image: Art Institute of Chicago

A man unafraid of trying new things, Mark Twain also worked as a miner in Nevada , where he and his brother fled, avoiding the Civil War. He later described the work as "hard and long and dismal."

His stint as a miner was short-lived, as he quickly landed his first writing job at The Territorial Enterprise newspaper in Virginia City. There he was tasked with covering crime, politics, culture, and, also, mining.

6

19 cats

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A hardcore cat enthusiast, Mr. Twain was so fond of these felines that he even "rented" them to keep him company while traveling . At one point in his life, he reportedly had 19 cats at the same time.

When asked about this obsession, Twain replied that he found cats much preferable to humans, even going as far as saying, "If man could be crossed with the cat, it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat."

7

Board game inventor

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Perhaps learning about English monarchs was a fun activity in the times of Mark Twain but, in any case, it served as the inspiration for a board game he invented and patented , called Memory Builder.

Memory Builder wasn’t Twain’s only invention. He also designed a self-adhesive scrapbook that works like an envelope and created an improvement in adjustable and detachable straps for women’s bras.

8

Bed writer

Image: Annie Spratt

Some might think that working in bed all day would be extremely uncomfortable, especially due to posture. However, Mark Twain found it absolutely delightful, and it became his favorite place to work.

In his old age, Mark Twain was often photographed in his bed, smoking away a cigar or pipe while writing. Though he owned many houses throughout his life, he had only one favorite bed, which he kept with him until the end.

9

Bad businessman

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Being a great author doesn’t guarantee being successful in other things as well. Despite dabbling in many business investments, Twain’s financial endeavors were largely unsuccessful. He lost money in mining and technology ventures and even went bankrupt.

However, he always managed to make a comeback with his writing and his lectures, proving that his known talents were generous and reliable.

10

Predicted his own death

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In 1909, Mark Twain predicted that he would die when Halley’s Comet returned . This was because the last time the comet passed near Earth was the year of his birth. Unfortunately, he was right, and he passed away in 1910.

Twain's family was by his side when he died, and he was buried in Elmira, New York. The exact cause of his death remains a mystery to this day.