1

Duct tape

Image: Lucas van Oort

One of the most useful things to have around is, without a doubt, duct tape. This product can help fix an endless number of everyday problems in virtually any environment.

This adhesive tape was invented during World War II by a division of Johnson & Johnson called Revolite. It was initially used to seal ammunition cases because of its water-resistant properties.

2

GPS

Image: henry perks

The GPS technology we all use daily on our smartphones to navigate from point A to point B was originally developed by the U.S. military. It was designed to track the position of military units and help them find their way efficiently across any terrain —much like how we use it today for civilian purposes.

3

Internet

Image: Glenn Carstens-Peters

Few technologies have become such a big part of our lives in just a couple of decades as the Internet. Its origins trace back to the 1970s, when the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) created an interconnected network linking military centers to enable resource sharing.

The connection of commercial networks and enterprises by the early 1990s, along with the advent of the World Wide Web, marked the beginning of the transition to the modern Internet.

4

Walkie-talkie

Image: garrett parker

From children’s toys to invaluable communication devices used in critical situations, walkie-talkies are a common fixture in modern life. Their development during World War II has been variously credited to Donald Hings, radio engineer Alfred J. Gross, Henryk Magnuski, and engineering teams at Motorola.

Initially used by infantry, similar designs were created for field artillery and tank units. After the war, walkie-talkies spread to public safety and eventually commercial use.

5

Microwave oven

Image: Erik Mclean

Believe it or not, microwave cooking was accidentally discovered during a military-related project just after World War II.

In 1946, Percy Spencer, a scientist working on a magnetron at Raytheon, noticed that a peanut cluster candy bar in his pocket had melted from the magnetron’s microwave radiation. Curious to experiment further, he brought in some kernels of corn and made the first-ever microwave popcorn—leading to the invention of the microwave oven.

6

Super glue

Image: Scott Sanker

In 1942, a research chemist working for a defense contractor was developing a high-precision targeting sight for weapons. Although the project didn’t produce the expected results, the resulting product was incredibly sticky , leading to the creation of the now-famous Super Glue.

7

Aviator sunglasses

Image: Griffin Wooldridge

Aviator sunglasses were developed in the 1930s as a lighter alternative to the bulky goggles worn by pilots during the early years of aviation. Those goggles were heavy, uncomfortable to wear, and prone to fogging up mid-flight.

Colonel John Macready of the U.S. Army Air Corps helped develop the first set of aviator sunglasses, which became known as Ray-Bans—named for their purpose: banning the sun’s rays from a pilot’s eyes.

8

Packaged salad mixes

Image: Nathenia Landers

The bags of packaged salad mixes found at any local supermarket use "modified atmosphere packaging" to delay ripening and spoilage.

This technology was developed in the 1960s through a collaboration between Whirlpool Corp. and the U.S. Navy to send fresh lettuce and celery to troops in Vietnam .

9

Bug spray

Image: Wolfgang Hasselmann

The active ingredient in most insect repellents, known as DEET, was developed by the U.S. Army in 1946 for use by military personnel operating in insect-infested areas . The product’s success led to its commercial release.

10

Disposable sanitary pads

Image: Annika Gordon

During World War I, Kimberly-Clark invented Cellucotton, a wood pulp–based material designed to be more absorbent and cost-effective for use in bandages.

After the war, the company discovered that Army nurses had repurposed Cellucotton as sanitary napkins , which inspired the creation of Kotex—the first disposable sanitary pads.

11

Frozen juice concentrate

Image: Fotografía de Alimentos

In 1942, USDA scientists developed frozen concentrated orange juice during World War II to help provide soldiers with sufficient Vitamin C . Although it was never distributed to the military, the product was later introduced to consumers by Minute Maid.

12

WD-40

Image: Daniel Campbell

WD-40, now a common household product, was originally developed in 1953 to prevent rust and corrosion on the outer shell of the Atlas missile . Created by the Rocket Chemical Company, the name WD-40 stands for "water displacement," with the "40" representing the number of attempts it took to perfect the formula.

1

Start here, end there: Boston Common to Bunker Hill

Image: Roger Starnes Sr

There’s no official rule about where to begin, but most people kick things off at Boston Common. From there, the trail snakes through the heart of the city and ends at the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown. That final stretch leads to one of the most symbolic sites of the American Revolution. Of course, if you’d rather do it backwards, nobody’s stopping you—it’s your patriotic pilgrimage! Either way, the journey between these two iconic spots is packed with stories.

2

Where the trail begins: Boston Common’s surprising start

Image: Yassine Khalfalli

Boston Common might be a peaceful green escape today, but it began with a much more practical purpose. Established in 1634, it’s the oldest public park in the US, and it was originally used for grazing livestock, not lounging on park benches.

The land was purchased from Anglican minister William Blackstone and soon transformed into a communal area by the Puritans. Over time, it has witnessed protests, public speeches, and even British troops setting up camp.

3

Short and sweet: the 2.5-mile trail

Image: Naoki Suzuki

The Freedom Trail may only stretch 2.5 miles, but don’t let that fool you—it’s packed with history. The route winds through downtown Boston, passing 16 official landmarks. Most of the trail is flat and fully accessible, making it friendly for everyone. Just remember to bring comfy shoes!

4

Follow the red-brick road

Image: Yassine Khalfalli

No need for a map or GPS—just follow the red-brick line! That bright path under your feet is the Freedom Trail’s signature feature. It weaves its way from site to site, keeping you on track with zero guesswork.

The trail’s design was first suggested by a local journalist in the 1950s, who wanted to link all the key historical spots. It’s Boston’s version of a historical yellow brick road—minus the flying monkeys, of course!

5

Millions make the trip every year

Image: Aubrey Odom

More than 4 million people walk the Freedom Trail each year—and not just tourists. Locals, history lovers, and school groups all flock to this living museum. It’s one of the most popular attractions in Boston, and for good reason.

From Paul Revere’s House to the Boston Tea Party site, each stop tells a story. Even if you’ve walked it before, there’s always something new to notice. So go ahead—join the crowd.

6

No need to go in order

Image: Vika Chartier

Unlike history books, the Freedom Trail doesn’t follow a strict timeline. It’s organized by geography, not chronology, which means you can hop around without feeling lost. For instance, Boston’s North End has a cluster of must-see sites close together. It’s totally fine to explore them first and double back later. Just follow your curiosity—and your feet—along the red bricks.

7

Oldest this, oldest that, it’s a record-breaker

Image: Kelly Sikkema

The Freedom Trail is a goldmine of American "firsts." You’ll find the country’s oldest public park (Boston Common), its oldest public building (the Old State House), and even the site of the first major battle of the Revolutionary War (Bunker Hill Monument).

Paul Revere’s House is the oldest building still standing in Boston. And the Old North Church? That’s right—it’s the oldest church still standing in the country!

8

Rest in peace, revolutionaries

Image: Wenhao Ruan

Cemeteries might not sound exciting, but on the Freedom Trail, they can be. The Granary Burying Ground is the final resting place of Paul Revere and victims of the Boston Massacre.

Over at Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, you’ll find figures connected to the Salem Witch Trials and shipbuilders like Edmund Hartt. These aren’t just graves—they’re chapters in America’s story. And you’ll be walking right through them.

9

No replicas here

Image: Liubov Ilchuk

Every building and site along the Freedom Trail is the genuine article. Thanks to meticulous preservation, nothing is a recreation or reimagining—you’re standing where revolutionaries stood, seeing what they saw.

There’s something special about touching the same walls and walking the same halls. It’s as close to time travel as you’re going to get. How great is that?

10

Past meets present in every step

Image: Brett Wharton

Sure, you're here for the history, but Boston’s modern charm is hard to miss. Between historic stops, you'll find lively markets, cozy restaurants, and the buzz of city life all around. Grab a cannoli in the North End or sip coffee where patriots once plotted revolts. The Freedom Trail offers a perfect blend of old and new.

1

Why are elections held on a Tuesday?

Election Day is always on a Tuesday because of 1800s rural life . Most Americans were farmers who needed a full day to travel to polling places, often by horse. Sunday was reserved for church, and Wednesday was typically market day.

Tuesday became the most practical option: travel on Monday, vote on Tuesday, return on Wednesday. November was chosen because the harvest season had ended, but winter had not yet made travel difficult.

2

Why do voters register in advance to participate?

Voter registration exists because the U.S. has no single national voter list . Since elections are run locally, authorities need a system to confirm identity, residency, and eligibility before Election Day.

The practice expanded in the 1800s as cities grew, helping manage large populations and reduce fraud. Today, it remains a key administrative step in a decentralized system.

3

Why does the Electoral College decide presidential elections?

The Electoral College was created as a compromise between letting Congress choose the president and allowing a direct popular vote, which proved logistically challenging at the time . The founders were concerned about balancing power and limiting centralized control.

It also gave smaller states more influence against larger states with more population, and reflected the challenges of communication in the 1700s. The system remains as part of the original constitutional design.

4

Does each state run its own election system?

The Constitution gives states the authority to manage elections , reflecting the country’s federal structure. The founders wanted states to retain power rather than create a single national system.

This allowed flexibility based on local conditions like geography and population. Today, it explains why voting rules and procedures differ widely across states. These differences range from voter registration policies to the types of documents required for voting to whether prison inmates are allowed to vote, among many other variations.

5

How are party candidates determined?

Primaries were introduced in the early 1900s to reduce the influence of party insiders . Before that, candidates were often chosen behind closed doors by political leaders.

The reform movement aimed to give voters more control. Primaries shifted decision-making power from party elites to the public, making the process more democratic.

6

What is early voting?

Early voting developed to address the limitations of a single Election Day . As work schedules became less flexible, states began offering additional in-person voting days.

These days, most states offer early voting, with examples like Minnesota, South Dakota, or Virginia, extending that period to over 40 days prior to the official election. This change helps reduce long lines and increase participation. It reflects an effort to adapt an old system to modern time constraints. And, judging by the 60% of votes being cast before Election Day, it works.

7

What about mail-in voting?

Mail-in voting began during the Civil War, allowing soldiers to vote while away from home . Over time, it expanded to include civilians who could not easily reach polling places.

Its broader use today reflects convenience and accessibility, especially in a large country where distance and mobility can be barriers to in-person voting.

8

What can a ballot include?

F ederal, state, and local referendums are often combined into a single election . This means that American ballots can include several voting points.

Studies indicate that this approach saves money by avoiding multiple referendums and increases participation by attracting individuals interested in voting on those topics. It also allows voters to decide on laws and policies directly through referendums and ballot measures.

9

Who are the poll workers?

Poll workers are typically local citizens because elections are run at the community level. Instead of a national workforce, local governments recruit and train temporary staff.

Most poll workers are community members who apply directly through their local election office. Also, in many states, local chapters of political parties submit lists of recommended workers to election boards. Officials often prioritize these nominees to meet legal requirements for partisan balance.

10

Why is Election Day not a federal holiday?

Election Day was never made a federal holiday because early lawmakers assumed rural voters had flexible schedules. Travel time, not work obligations, was the main concern .

Today, this decision is often debated. Modern work patterns make weekday voting less convenient, leading to calls for reform or expanded voting options.

11

Why do results take so long?

Final results can take time because ballots must be carefully verified before counting . This includes checking signatures, eligibility, and processing mail-in and provisional votes.

While early results are reported quickly, official certification happens later. The delay reflects a priority on accuracy and legitimacy over speed.