1

The human voice

Image: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

Before modern technology, oral communication and word of mouth were the primary ways people shared news, stories, and music everywhere.

From Native American storytelling traditions to community gatherings, spoken word connected people, passed down history, and spread important information long before any other medium ever existed.

2

Public proclamations

Image: Andrew Ebrahim

Public proclamations were an early form of mass communication in America, used to spread news and official announcements.

Town criers or officials would read proclamations aloud in public squares , ensuring that important information reached everyone, even those who couldn't read, who were more than a handful at the time.

3

Live music

Image: Francesco Giacomini

Before recorded music, people would gather at local events, fairs, or churches to hear musicians perform songs that reflected current events, social issues, or, often, served as entertainment.

In the same way as today, live performances were a major form of entertainment and communication.

4

Gramophones

Image: Tasha

Gramophones and Edison’s musical cylinders revolutionized how Americans consumed music and news in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

These devices allowed people to listen to recorded sound at home for the first time , offering a new way to enjoy music, speeches, and even news broadcasts.

5

Radio broadcasts

Image: Maximilian Hofer

It is hard to overstate the importance of radio. It was a game-changer in the early 20th century, bringing news, music, and entertainment directly into homes across America.

For the first time, families could listen to live broadcasts of events, catch the latest hits, or hear radio dramas .

6

Television

Image: PJ Gal-Szabo

Television caused a huge impact in the 1950s, blending news, music, and entertainment into one screen . As with radio, families gathered around the TV for nightly broadcasts, from the evening news to variety shows and music performances.

This new visual element added a deeper level of engagement, shaping how Americans consumed information and entertainment, making TV a major force in media for decades.

7

Vinyl record players

Image: Eran Menashri

Vinyl record players became a major music format in the mid-20th century, offering high-quality sound. People could listen to entire albums, making music a personal, immersive activity .

Vinyl records also became a cultural icon, with album artwork and collector’s editions turning listening into a ritual.

8

Magazine players

Image: Ciocan Ciprian

Somewhat of a half-step format between the vinyl records and compact cassettes , magazine players offered a portable way to listen to music and news in the 1960s through the 1980s.

These devices used cartridges or tapes that could hold multiple songs or recordings, making it easy for people to enjoy their favorite tunes on the go.

9

Cassette players

Image: Dave Weatherall

If magazine players made music a portable activity, cassette players and, especially, Walkmans, took it even further.

With the ability to play mixtapes or purchased albums anywhere, these devices gave people personal control over their music while on the go . Walkmans, in particular, became iconic for offering a private, on-demand listening experience.

10

CD players

Image: Lucky Alamanda

CD players became the go-to music format in the 1990s, offering a digital upgrade to cassettes with better sound quality and durability .

Compact discs could store albums without the wear-and-tear issues of tapes, and CD players were easy to use, making them popular in cars, homes, and portable devices.

11

MP3 players

Image: Ben Szymanski

The possibility of holding entire album catalogs and more in a single portable device became real in the early 2000s when MP3 players made their appearance.

Devices like the iPod became cultural icons, shaping how people accessed and enjoyed music, paving the way for the next and last item on our list.

12

Streaming services

Image: Heidi Fin

In the last decade, streaming services and podcasts have transformed the media landscape, allowing everybody to instantly access music, news, and entertainment on demand.

Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music put millions of songs at users' fingertips, while podcasts offer a vast range of topics for all interests .

1

A bar hidden in plain sight

Most visitors know the famous Oyster Bar, but few stumble upon The Campbell, an elegant lounge tucked inside Grand Central. Originally the office of 1920s finance tycoon John W. Campbell , this spot sat forgotten for decades until 1999, before being restored to its former Jazz Age glory. Step inside today, and you’ll find velvet couches, grand rugs, and cocktails that make you feel like you’ve time-traveled back to the roaring 1920s.

2

Two clocks worth a fortune?

Grand Central has one of the most valuable clocks in the world , although there’s a myth that says there are two. The Tiffany clock outside towers 14 feet across, framed by Roman gods carved in stone. This clock is worth around $20 million. Inside the terminal, the four-faced opal clock crowns the information booth. Contrary to popular belief, this clock was not made of an actual opal, but out of opal glass, so there’s nothing priceless about it.

3

Hidden oaks and acorns

Take a closer look around, and you’ll start spotting oak leaves and acorns carved into chandeliers, railings, and stonework. These aren’t random designs. They’re a nod to the Vanderbilt family’s symbol: The acorn. The family funded the terminal’s construction in 1871 and wanted everyone to know it. Now, their family symbol quietly decorates every corner of their legacy.

4

The mysterious whispering gallery

If you whisper into one corner of the tiled archway near the Oyster Bar, someone standing diagonally across can hear you perfectly. The "Whispering Gallery" is one of Grand Central’s quirkiest secrets . The Guastavino tiles that make up the arched ceiling carry sound in an odd way, creating an intimate little magic trick, though no one really knows whether it was designed that way or just a happy accident.

5

A sky painted backward

Look up, and you’ll see the breathtaking celestial mural that covers the concourse ceiling. But here’s the kicker: the constellations are painted backwards . Whether it was a mistake or an artistic choice remains debated, but the Vanderbilts claimed it was intentional—to give us the "divine perspective" of looking down at the heavens. Either way, it’s still one of the most photographed ceilings in the world.

6

Game, set, match (inside a train station)

If you think tennis in a train terminal sounds impossible, think again. The Vanderbilt Tennis Club, perched on Grand Central’s fourth floor, is open to the public . You can book a court, take a lesson, or just peek inside to see this unexpected slice of luxury tucked away above the bustling commuters below.

7

Secret walkways above the windows

Those grand arched windows in the main concourse aren’t just decorative; they hide narrow walkways used by staff to move unseen between offices . These catwalks give a bird’s-eye view of the terminal, though they’re strictly off-limits to the public. Only a select few with key passes get to experience the view from up there.

8

A hidden entrance to the Waldorf

Deep beneath Grand Central lies Track 61, a secret passage that once connected directly to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. It was used by VIPs who preferred to travel without public attention —most famously, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who used it to conceal his polio and wheelchair from the public eye. Today, it’s sealed off, but the legend remains.

9

Almost lost to the wrecking ball

In the 1960s, plans were made to tear down Grand Central and replace it with skyscrapers. After the destruction of Penn Station in 1963, New Yorkers were not having it. Thanks to the efforts of preservationists , Grand Central was saved and officially declared a landmark in 1967. Their fight ensured we could still enjoy one of the city’s true architectural gems.

10

A 21st-century makeover

While much of Grand Central dates back to 1913, its evolution continues. The massive East Side Access Project, completed in 2023, added a new terminal for Long Island Rail Road passengers, complete with 40 miles of new track buried beneath Park Avenue. It’s a modern expansion of a century-old masterpiece.

1

I’m lovin’ it

McDonald’s tapped into the 2003 zeitgeist with its slogan "I’m lovin’ it," one of its most enduring campaigns. It also has a catchy tune originally produced by Pharrell Williams, and Justin Timberlake was paid millions to sing the first radio edit and make it cool.

The catchphrase hits home because it focuses on happy emotions we can all relate to. The active grammar of "I’m lovin it", instead of the passive "I love it", implies an ongoing pleasurable experience, not just one isolated bite .

2

Just do it

How many times have we renewed our New Year’s resolutions, promised to start going to the gym, or get outdoors as soon as spring arrives? But actualizing our ambitions isn't as easy as it sounds.

That’s exactly what Nike captured so well in its iconic slogan, "Just do it", because it motivates action, inspiring a resilient and go-getter attitude. But the origin story is darker than most people know. It was Gary Gilmore, a convicted murderer, who uttered the words "Let’s do it" before his execution in 1977 . Advertising executive Dan Weiden later said that that blunt line inspired the slogan.

3

Maybe she's born with it, maybe it's Maybelline

It’s natural to wonder about the beauty secrets of celebs or people we know. They could be genetics, a healthy lifestyle, or a skin-care routine. Whatever it may be, when we admire someone’s look, we want to find out how they do it.

That’s why this slogan, introduced in the 1990s by the cosmetic brand, works so well. It cleverly leaves room for doubt: maybe it’s natural beauty, or maybe it’s the product . Either way, it connects directly to the desire for effortless, flawless beauty.

4

Think different

Who hasn’t felt different at some point? And being different is often perceived as a negative. Apple flipped the idea, asserting that those who don’t fit in are the ones who change the world ; they are the true visionaries, the rebels and the geniuses.

This two-word slogan, "Think different", used by Apple from 2002 to 2007 and created by art director Craig Tanimoto, appeals not just to what you buy, but to who you become by buying it . The audacious campaign even invoked such history-making icons as Albert Einstein and Martin Luther King Jr. It’s also believed to be a response to IBM’s "Think," adding boldness by even breaking grammar rules (since "Think differently" would be technically correct).

5

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there

Have you ever run out of sugar and knocked on your neighbor's door? Or has a neighbor fed your cat when you’re away? At the end of the day, everyone wants a good neighbor .

State Farm, one of the largest insurance companies in the U.S., turned a faceless corporation into a helpful friend next door through this jingle, created by Barry Manilow in 1971. It is still widely used today, alongside the "Jake from State Farm" character.

6

Have it your way

Wanting things our way is one of the most universal human desires. But from a young age, we’re taught the opposite: that not everything can go our way and we need to adapt.

Burger King promises the opposite: at this eatery, you can "Have it your way" . Introduced in 1974, it emphasizes customization by letting customers choose their toppings and make the burger their own; turning it into a promise of choice, like no pickles or extra sauce. Here, at least, buyers are the boss.

7

Built Ford Tough

When it comes to vehicles, durability matters, especially over long distances, in tough conditions, and through unpredictable weather.

That’s why this slogan, introduced in 1979 for the Ford F-series, was so effective. It highlights endurance and reliability, while elevating the brand to a whole new level of toughness , asserting that Ford stands out from the rest.

8

Melts in your mouth, not in your hands

Even if we’re not that hungry, thinking of our favorite treats can make our mouths water. This slogan is a good play on this reaction, although its origin is unexpected.

"Melts in your mouth, not in your hands" is the 1954 catchphrase promoting M&M’s candy-coated chocolates. The outer shell is what keeps it from melting, letting you enjoy it without the sticky mess. Reportedly, it was during the Spanish Civil War (1936 -1939) that the creator, Forrest Mars, saw soldiers eating a chocolate pellet that wouldn’t melt in the heat. In fact, during World War II, M&M’s were sold exclusively to the US military for this reason .

9

Don't leave home without it

Getting ready to head out the door is no simple task. Even today, we double-check essentials like keys, wallets, and more.

American Express made a fantastic play on this in its 1975 slogan, first coined by advertising legend David Ogilvy for traveler's checks. Although at first glance it’s simple travel advice, it subtly suggests worldliness, wealth, safety, and security; ultimately making people feel that traveling without the card is simply a bad idea .

10

Can you hear me now?

How many times have you asked this during a call, a Zoom, or a FaceTime? A bad connection leads to poor communication, and Verizon turned that frustration into a memorable message.

Launched in 2002, "Can you hear me now?" reminds us of all the times we’ve asked this question when trying to talk with someone, highlighting signal reliability over cheaper plans. The actor Paul Marcarelli was featured in various locations across the country yelling the question and, after a pause, saying, "Good" . The catchphrase and Marcarelli became so well known that people would shout it at him in real life, and, allegedly, even at his grandmother's funeral.