1

Grilling dates back to ancient civilizations

Ancient civilizations were the first to master the art of cooking meat over open flames. Archaeological digs across the Mediterranean, Asia, and Mesoamerica have unearthed primitive clay braziers, iron grates, and roasting pits dating back thousands of years.

Ancient Greeks and Romans cooked meat on iron grids elevated over hot embers, while ancient Asian cultures used portable ceramic cookers like the Japanese Kamado. The fundamental principle, direct heat transforming raw meat into a charred meal, has remained unchanged for millennia.

2

Caribbean roots of modern barbecue

The word "barbecue" traces back to the Indigenous Taíno and Arawak peoples of the Caribbean. When Spanish explorers arrived in the West Indies during the 15th and 16th centuries, they observed native inhabitants drying and slow-smoking meat over raised wooden frameworks built from green timber.

The Arawak called this elevated rack a barabicu . Spaniards adapted the term to barbacoa and eventually made its way into English as "barbecue".

3

Henry Ford patented the first charcoal briquette

In one of history’s most surprising industrial crossovers, the charcoal briquette exists thanks to the Model T car. In the 1920s, Henry Ford realized his automotive plants were generating tons of scrap wood and sawdust. Looking for a profitable way to repurpose the waste, Ford consulted inventor Thomas Edison.

Together they developed a process to compress powdered charcoal mixed with starch binders into dense pillows. Ford established a charcoal plant and sold "Ford Charcoal" at his car dealerships, encouraging motorists to explore the countryside on weekend camping trips. After Ford sold the operation, it was renamed Kingsford Charcoal, which remains a dominant brand today.

4

Weber invented the iconic kettle grill

Before the 1950s, backyard outdoor cooking was an irritating chore conducted over open brick pits or shallow metal brasero pans. Rain, wind, ash, and sudden grease flare-ups frequently ruined meals.

Frustrated by open grills, a welder at Weber Brothers Metal Works in Chicago took a hollow metal buoy used for lake navigation, cut it in half, added legs, and punched ventilation holes in the top dome. The enclosed sphere created a convection oven effect, giving cooks control over oxygen, heat, and smoke while protecting food from the elements. Released in 1952 as the "Weber Kettle," it revolutionized backyard cooking forever.

5

The rise of the gas grill

Charcoal provided a delicious smoky flavor, but it required patience and cleanup. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, natural gas companies looked for new ways to promote gas consumption during warm summer months when home heating demands dropped.

In 1960, Walter Coleman and William G. Wepfer of the Arkansas-Louisiana Gas Company modified a charcoal grill to run on liquid propane bottled in portable tanks. Shortly thereafter, companies like Chicago Combustion Corporation introduced the LazyMen gas grill. The promise of turning a knob and cooking within minutes opened up weeknight outdoor dining to busy families.

6

Backyard grilling became a post-war tradition

The end of World War II sparked an unprecedented housing boom across North America, giving rise to suburban neighborhoods. Suburban homes featured private yards, paved patios, and sliding doors that blurred the line between indoor and outdoor.

Grilling became a symbol of leisure and hospitality. Pop culture reinforced this trend, positioning suburban fathers as the "pitmasters" of the backyard.

7

Grilling goes global: international influences

20th-century travel and immigration made suburban pitmasters incorporate global traditions into their setups. These diverse techniques, such as Japanese Hibachi & Yakitori, South African Braai, Korean Gogi-gui, and Brazilian Churrasco, enriched backyard menus, elevating simple burgers and hot dogs into a world of complex marinades and skewered meats.

8

The first barbecue cookbook

As outdoor cooking conquered the backyards, home cooks needed help beyond basic grilling. In 1939, Sunset Magazine published Sunset’s Barbecue Book , considered the first dedicated barbecue cookbook.

Written specifically for suburban homeowners, the book included blueprints for building stone or brick backyard pits, alongside recipes for marinades, basting mops, and dry rubs. In just a few years, pit cooking became a domestic culinary art form.

9

Grill competitions spark a culinary movement

In the late 1970s and 1980s, casual regional rivalries blossomed into competition circuits like the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest and the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS).

These events brought together backyard enthusiasts, commercial pitmasters, and scientists to debate the precise mathematics of internal meat temperatures, smoke rings, and wood choices.

10

Tailgating perfected the portability of grills

The growth of American college football and professional sports stadiums during the mid-20th century gave birth to a unique pre-game tradition: tailgating. Fans realized that portable propane units and mini kettle grills could turn stadium parking lots into outdoor kitchens. Grill manufacturers responded by designing lightweight and folding models, solidifying the grill as an essential tool for community gathering.

1

Rock 'n' Roll Revolution

Image: Provincial Archives of Alberta

The 1950s marked the explosive rise of rock 'n' roll, with artists like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard leading the charge. This novel genre blended rhythm and blues with country, creating an energetic and rebellious sound that resonated with the youth.

Rock 'n' roll quickly became a cultural phenomenon, challenging traditional norms and promoting a new sense of freedom and expression. But the genre's influence extended way beyond music, as it impacted fashion, dance, and even social attitudes. As a symbol of teenage rebellion, it is now considered a catalyst for the social revolutions of the 1960s.

2

Space Race Begins

Image: Brian McGowan

The Space Race, ignited by the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik in 1957, became a key aspect of the Cold War rivalry between the United States and the USSR. In response, the U.S. accelerated its space program, leading to the creation of NASA in 1958.

The race to space was not just a technological competition but also an ideological battleground. It captured the American imagination, inspiring dreams of exploration and boundless innovation. This era laid the groundwork for major achievements, including the Apollo moon landing, forever cementing the United States’ place in the history of space exploration.

3

Television Takes Over

Image: Randy Jacob

The 1950s also saw television become the dominant medium of entertainment and information in American households. With the widespread adoption of TV sets, shows like I Love Lucy and The Ed Sullivan Show brought families together and became cultural touchstones, influencing fashion, language, and social norms.

Simultaneously, television's ability to massively broadcast news and live events made it a powerful tool for shaping public opinion. As the number of channels and programs grew, television became a central part of American life, affecting politics, advertising, and culture in general.

4

Fast Food Frenzy

Image: Alora Griffiths

The fast food industry boomed in this decade, revolutionizing the American dining experience. Chains like McDonald's, founded in 1955, popularized the concept of quick and affordable meals. This phenomenon was also closely tied to the emerging car culture, as drive-thru restaurants became commonplace.

This convenience appealed to the growing suburban population and busy families, making fast food synonymous with modernity, speed, and the American lifestyle.

5

Iconic Cars

Image: Photo Person

A golden age for American automobiles, the 1950s saw the emergence of iconic models like the Chevrolet Bel Air, Cadillac Eldorado, and Ford Thunderbird . These streamlined machines were not only more affordable than ever but also captured the public's imagination with their enhanced comfort and sophistication.

Cars soon evolved from mere transportation to symbols of status, freedom, and identity. Their innovative designs, characterized by chrome, tailfins, and vibrant colors, reflected the themes of the Space Age and the technological optimism of the era.

6

The Birth of Teenagers

Image: Fern M. Lomibao

While today we think of adolescence as a normal stage of life, the concept of the teenager as a distinct demographic didn’t truly emerge until the 1950s. With increased disposable income, young people soon became a powerful consumer group, influencing fashion, music, and entertainment.

They flocked to new cultural phenomena like rock 'n' roll, drive-ins, and soda fountains. By challenging traditional authority, this generation of teenagers pushed for freedom and independence, in many ways setting the stage for the social changes that would unfold in the subsequent decades.

7

Modern Design

Image: Matt Briney

Characterized by clean lines, organic shapes, and an emphasis on functionality, mid-century modern design was forged during this decade. Designers like Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, and George Nelson became iconic figures, creating furniture, architecture, and household items that seamlessly blended form and function.

Technological advancements and the introduction of new materials, such as molded plywood, fiberglass, and plastics, enabled innovative and affordable designs. To this day, futuristic design remains closely associated with mid-century modern aesthetics.

8

Consumer Culture

Image: Jaxon Gee-Dub

This era marked the rise of consumer culture in America, with the proliferation of advertising and the introduction of new products. Brands like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, General Electric, and RCA became household names, and synonymous with the abundance and convenience of modern American life.

Shopping emerged as a popular pastime, with the expansion of department stores and the advent of shopping malls, which consolidated a variety of stores under one roof. As a result, for many, the pursuit of happiness became increasingly intertwined with the acquisition of material goods.

9

The Cold War Era

Image: Marie Rouilly

The Cold War shaped the tense geopolitical landscape of the 1950s, with the United States and the Soviet Union locked in a prolonged ideological struggle. Policies such as the "Marshall Plan" aimed to counter Soviet influence globally, while massive investments in defense and aerospace industries spurred significant technological advancements.

Fears of nuclear conflict and espionage permeated the era, influencing American culture and reflecting in movies and television. Despite these anxieties, the Cold War also fostered a strong sense of unity and patriotism as Americans rallied against a common adversary.

10

Suburban Boom

Image: Nikola Knezevic

The post-World War II era saw a massive migration to the suburbs, spurred by economic prosperity, supportive legislation such as the GI Bill, and a desire for affordable housing. Suburban developments like Levittown offered uniform, mass-produced homes that were accessible to middle-class families.

This suburban expansion reshaped American society, fostering a culture centered around family life, homeownership, and car-centric lifestyles. The move to the suburbs also led to the growth of shopping malls, schools, and community organizations, creating a distinct suburban culture that came to define the American Dream.

1

The spacesuit satellite

Image: Sieuwert Otterloo

Shoving an astronaut suit out of an airlock and into space might seem like a scene from a movie, but it really happened. In 2003, an empty spacesuit was thrown into space , nicknamed Ivan Ivanovitch (or Mr. Smith), stuffed with old clothes and a radio transmitter .

The idea was that old spacesuits could be used as satellites. SuitSat-1, as it was named, went on to spend several months in silent orbit before entering Earth's atmosphere and burning up on September 7, 2006.

2

The "invisible" gorilla

Image: Mike Arney

In this strange psychological experiment, researchers asked participants to watch a video of people passing a basketball and count how many passes were made. The catch was that, during the video, a person in a gorilla suit walked into the frame, stopped to pound its chest, and then walked out.

The study revealed a curious phenomenon known as "inattentional blindness": people were so focused on counting the passes that they failed to notice the gorilla .

3

Space spiders

Image: Vidar Nordli-Mathisen

In 2011, scientists sent two golden silk orb-weaver spiders on a 45-day trip aboard the ISS. They were kept in an adequate habitat, and both spiders adapted beautifully, continuing to spin their webs and hunt for food.

But not everything was normal. In microgravity, the spiders spun their webs differently —flatter and rounder—compared to the more three-dimensional, asymmetrical structures that orb-weavers spin on Earth.

4

Bitter fingernails

Image: Nick Karvounis

In 1942, a professor conducted an experiment with boys who had been diagnosed as chronic nail-biters. He used a phonograph with the recorded message " My fingernails taste bitter ," playing it over and over at night in the room where the boys slept.

At the end of the summer, the professor examined the boys' nails and concluded that 40% of them had kicked the habit.

5

Syrup swimming

Image: Arwin Neil Baichoo

In 2004, sixteen people with varying swimming skills swam in both a regular pool and a pool of guar syrup , which is twice as thick as water, for an experiment conducted by the University of Minnesota. The differences in their recorded times were negligible.

6

Bearcats and popcorn

Image: Corina Rainer

People encountering bearcats have noted that these animals smell like movie theater popcorn. A non-profit organization tested the bearcat's urine , and the results showed the presence of a chemical compound called 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline.

As it turns out, this is the same compound that gives popcorn its signature smell .

7

The 28-hour day

Image: Ocean Ng

Hoping to find out whether the 24-hour sleep-wake human rhythm was merely a habit, two scientists spent 32 days in a cave to avoid any external reference to day and night.

They tried out a 28-hour day, sleeping for 9 hours, working for 10 hours, and having 9 hours of leisure time . The younger scientist adapted within the first week, while the older one failed to adapt.

8

The fake doctor

Image: Hunters Race

A fake doctor delivered a lecture in 1970 to a crowd of assembled experts titled "Mathematical Game Theory as Applied to Physician Education." His performance impressed the audience so much that nobody noticed he was an actor who didn’t know anything about game theory.

The researchers behind the experiment wanted to find out if a great delivery technique could fool a group of experts—and it did.

9

The electric kite

Image: Brett Wharton

The most famous experiment on our list is also one of the strangest. In 1752, Benjamin Franklin flew a kite in a thunderstorm to demonstrate the electrical nature of lightning .

While many believe otherwise, no lightning hit the kite. Instead, ambient electrical charge moved through the hemp wire, and when Franklin touched the key attached to the wire, he felt a spark, thus proving the existence of such electricity.

10

Moon trees

Image: David Dibert

As we've learned, Americans like taking things to outer space and then bringing them right back. The Apollo 14 mission carried hundreds of tree seeds into space . These "moon trees" were then planted across the country by the US Forest Service.

Unsurprisingly, the trees grew just like any other tree of the same species.