1

Nike’s Swoosh was created for $35

Image: Shubham Mittal

Yes, it was. The iconic Nike swoosh was sketched in 1971 by Carolyn Davidson, a graphic design student, for the grand sum of $35. She was helping out a friend—Nike co-founder Phil Knight—who needed a logo for his up-and-coming sneaker brand.

Years later, as Nike soared, the company gave her a thank-you gift: a gold swoosh ring and stock options that ended up being worth millions .

2

Coca-Cola originally contained cocaine

Image: Olena Bohovyk

It sounds like an urban legend, but it’s true: early versions of Coca-Cola did contain coca leaf extract , which naturally included trace amounts of cocaine. When pharmacist John Pemberton invented the drink in 1886, it was marketed as a "brain tonic" and nerve remedy, back when cocaine was legal and considered medicinal. By 1929, the formula was fully decocainized.

3

Neither Ben nor Jerry had any previous business experience

Image: Hybrid Storytellers

Absolutely. Longtime friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield took a $5 correspondence course in ice cream making from Penn State and launched their first scoop shop in a converted gas station in Vermont in 1978.

4

Barbie was based on a German adult doll

Image: Peyman Shojaei

True! She sure was. In the 1950s, Ruth Handler spotted a German novelty doll called Bild Lilli while on vacation. Originally sold as a gag gift for men, Lilli was fashionable, curvy, and definitely not meant for children. But Handler saw potential: she reimagined Lilli as a stylish role model for girls, and the first Barbie debuted in 1959.

5

Milton Hershey missed the Titanic voyage

Image: Janne Simoes

He definitely wasn’t on board—lucky for him! But just how close he came to sailing is uncertain. Legend has it that Milton Hershey and his wife were set to sail on the Titanic in 1912, but canceled at the last minute.

The only clue? A check stub showing a $300 deposit to the White Star Line. While there’s no confirmed ticket, the story has stuck.

6

GM hated (and banned) the nickname "Chevy"

Image: Jose Mueses

This one is partially true. In 2010, GM sent a memo urging employees to stop using the nickname "Chevy" in favor of the full "Chevrolet." The public backlash was swift—critics called the move tone-deaf. After all, "Chevy" was beloved, catchy, and woven into Americana.

Within days, the company backpedaled , assuring fans that "Chevy" wasn’t going anywhere. You just can’t mess with a nickname that’s already set in people’s hearts.

7

Apple was named after the forbidden fruit

Image: TheRegisti

Not quite. Steve Jobs chose the name "Apple" in 1976 because it sounded "fun, spirited, and not intimidating." It also gave the young company a strategic edge—it came before "Atari" in the phone book, which mattered in the era of printed directories.

8

Starbucks was named after Moby Dick’s first mate

Image: Athar Khan

Yes, though it was a winding path. The founders were searching for a name that evoked the seafaring tradition of coffee trading. After toying with " Pequod " (Captain Ahab’s ship), they landed on "Starbuck"—the first mate in Moby-Dick and a name with a strong, classic ring to it.

9

Harley-Davidson was going bankrupt, but its logo saved it

Image: Donald Teel

This one is sort of true. In the early 1980s, Harley-Davidson was revving on empty. The rise of Japanese bikes had them cornered—until the brand leaned hard into nostalgia . The bar-and-shield logo, dating back to 1910, became the centerpiece of a marketing push built on American pride, leather jackets, and the unmistakable growl of a V-twin engine.

It worked. The logo became a badge of rebellion, and Harley rebounded.

10

There’s an arrow hidden in FedEx’s logo

Image: Toni Pomar

Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. Look closely between the "E" and the "x" in the FedEx logo—there’s a white arrow formed by the negative space. It’s a perfect symbol for speed, direction, and efficiency.

The logo was designed in 1994 by Lindon Leader, and the hidden arrow was no accident. It’s a subtle nod to the company’s core promise: to get it there fast .

11

"Breakfast at Tiffany’s" launched the brand

Image: Sam Lashbrooke

False! Breakfast at Tiffany’s didn’t launch the brand. Tiffany & Co. had been around since 1837, known for fine jewelry and that iconic blue box. However, after the 1961 film, Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress and wistful gaze into the Tiffany’s shop window helped cement the brand’s image of elegance .

12

Levi’s blue jeans were created for gold miners

Image: Varun Gaba

Absolutely. In 1873, Levi Strauss and tailor Jacob Davis patented durable denim trousers with copper rivets— perfect for miners during the California Gold Rush . The jeans were tough, practical, and ideal for the grueling work conditions out west. In time, what began as rugged workwear became an American icon.

13

Amazon was named after "the biggest river"

Image: Sunrise King

Yes, it was intentional. Jeff Bezos wanted a name that conveyed vastness, exoticism, and would appear early in web listings . "Amazon" fit the bill—although it could have been named "Nile," which is often cited as the world’s longest river. Bezos liked the idea of building the biggest online store in the world, just like the Amazon is the biggest river by volume.

1

American Gothic (1930) - Grant Wood

One of the most internationally recognized American paintings is undoubtedly "American Gothic" by Grant Wood. With a blend of realism and subtle humor, the artist captured the spirit of rural America during the Great Depression. According to legend, Wood was inspired when he saw a Gothic-style house in Iowa and wondered who would live in that house.

2

Nighthawks (1942) - Edward Hopper

There are probably very few people in the world who haven't seen an image of Edward Hopper's iconic " Nighthawks ," referenced so often that it has become a part of pop culture. Although painted during WWII, this work captures something timeless and still relevant today: the loneliness of night in a bustling city.

3

Whistler's Mother (1871) - James McNeill Whistler

A painting that marked a turning point in the art world is "Arrangement in Grey and Black No.1" by James McNeill Whistler, better known as "Whistler's Mother." This work transformed portraiture by embracing a sober, harmonious, and minimalist composition that prioritized conveying emotion over intricate detail. The calm expressed in the painting has been widely praised by critics and art scholars alike.

4

The Gross Clinic (1875) - Thomas Eakins

Painted in 1875, "The Gross Clinic" by Thomas Eakins is a masterful realist work that revolutionized art through its dramatic use of light and shadow to portray the stark reality of surgery at the time. It's said that, when first exhibited, it shocked viewers so much that it was moved from the art section to the medical displays area of the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia.

5

Christina's World (1948) - Andrew Wyeth

"Christina's World" (1948) by Andrew Wyeth is a world-renowned realist painting celebrated for its beauty and depth. Inspired by his neighbor, Christina Olson, who suffered from a degenerative disease that restricted her mobility, the artist created a powerful image that has impacted for decades. The painting's influence also reached Hollywood, appearing in an iconic scene featuring Mélanie Laurent as Shosanna in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds (2009).

6

No. 5, 1948 (1948) - Jackson Pollock

"No. 5, 1948" by Jackson Pollock perfectly defines Abstract Expressionism. As a pioneer of drip painting, Pollock broke away from traditional techniques and norms, revolutionizing not only how art was created but also how it was perceived and interpreted. In 2006, "No. 5, 1948" sold for around $140 million, making it one of the most expensive paintings at that time.

7

Campbell's Soup Cans (1962) - Andy Warhol

When talking about pop culture, "Campbell's Soup Cans" (1962) by Andy Warhol is an essential reference. Even those unfamiliar with art recognize this work, as Warhol broke through the barriers of the academy to reach a broader audience. By transforming everyday objects into symbols of art, this iconic piece made a strong critique of mass production and consumerism.

8

Portrait of George Washington (1796) - Gilbert Stuart

Gilbert Stuart created what is perhaps the most famous portrait of George Washington. Painted in 1796, this work helped define the image of the first US president throughout history. Although Stuart never completed the painting during his lifetime, it became the basis for many other depictions of Washington, including the image on the $1 bill.

9

Freedom from Want (1943) - Norman Rockwell

You've probably come across this painting more than once. Inspired by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1941 speech on fundamental human rights, Norman Rockwell created his Four Freedoms series. Among the four paintings, "Freedom from Want" (1943) stands out as an icon of American values from the time of its debut to this day.

10

No. 61 (Rust and Blue) (1953) - Mark Rothko

Color Field painting wouldn't be what it is today without the groundbreaking work of American artist Mark Rothko, who, along with Barnett Newman and Clyfford Still, helped pioneer the movement. Rothko insisted that his paintings should be displayed and observed in dim lighting, as his use of color fields aims to evoke deep emotional responses in viewers.

1

Grand Prismatic Spring

Image: MikeGoad

The steaming, multicolored circle of the Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the most hypnotic and unique sights in the U.S. Part of Yellowstone National Park, this hot spring is the largest in the country and the third-largest in the world, measuring 370 feet wide and 160 feet deep.

Its vibrant colors, ranging from deep blue in the center to fiery red and orange at its edges, are unlike anything we see in nature every day. Minerals and microbes are responsible for these hues, with water temperature causing the pigments to fluctuate . The spring owes its existence to geothermal activity driven by Yellowstone's underlying magma chamber and is located in the Midway Geyser Basin.

2

Fly Ranch Geyser

Image: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0

One of the reasons why Fly Ranch Geyser is unique in the world is that it was formed after a human accident . This technicolor geothermal geyser, located on the Fly Ranch property in the Hualapai Geothermal Flats of Washoe County, Nevada, wasn’t there before 1916.

In 1916, while drilling a well for irrigation in the area, workers struck near-boiling geothermal water, leading to the creation of the first geyser. Decades later, in 1964, a geothermal energy company drilled a second well nearby, which caused the emergence of the Fly Geyser we know today. It has been spouting water into the sky ever since, forming several cone-like vents atop a mound that continues to grow.

3

Devil’s Kettle

Image: chrishawaii

Where does the water from the Brule River go when it falls? For a long time, this was a mystery. Located in Judge C.R. Magney State Park near Grand Marais, Minnesota, along the North Shore of Lake Superior, the river is famous for its unusual split: one half flows downstream, while the other plunges into a seemingly bottomless hole .

This waterfall has baffled visitors and scientists for years because objects thrown into the "kettle," such as logs and ping-pong balls, appeared to vanish without resurfacing. This fueled theories of underground rivers or deep caverns beneath the falls. The mystery was solved recently when hydrologists discovered that the water entering the kettle resurfaces downstream . The kettle's strong currents explain why objects thrown in don’t resurface; they are broken apart and held underwater, functioning like a natural washing machine.

4

Mono Lake Tufa Towers

Image: Stephen Leonardi

These unique limestone formations, known as the Mono Lake Tufa Towers, emerge from the salty, alkaline waters of Mono Lake , fed by underwater springs. Located in eastern California, near the Sierra Nevada mountains and about 13 miles east of Yosemite National Park, they are a striking natural wonder.

These tufa towers rise dramatically from the water. How were they formed? Mono Lake has no outlet, so its high alkalinity and salinity caused minerals to accumulate over time. This unique environment supports an ecosystem of brine shrimp, alkali flies, and migratory birds. To give you an idea, the lake’s salinity is more than twice that of the ocean, which means you could float effortlessly in its waters, as many visitors do.

5

Crater of Diamonds

Image: Brett Sayles

If you find a diamond here, you get to keep it—this is the only diamond-bearing site in the world where that's possible. Open to the public for mining , the Crater of Diamonds is a 37.5-acre field located near Murfreesboro, Arkansas. It marks the eroded surface of a volcanic pipe composed of lamproite, a rare volcanic rock.

Visitors sometimes find diamonds of various colors, including white, yellow, and brown, along with other gems like amethyst and garnet. It was here that the "Uncle Sam Diamond" was found, the largest diamond ever dug out in North America, weighing 40.23 carats. Diamonds were first discovered here in 1906 when a local farmer found unusual crystals on his land, which sparked a minor diamond rush.

6

Antelope Canyon

Image: Roberto Lee Cortes

Rocks that look like flowing water: Antelope Canyon is a famous and breathtaking slot canyon in northern Arizona. It consists of two main sections: Upper Antelope Canyon (a.k.a. Tsé bighánílíní, or "the place where water runs through rocks") and Lower Antelope Canyon ( Hazdistazí, or "spiral rock arches").

The canyon was formed over millions of years as flash floods and desert winds eroded the Navajo Sandstone. Even today, seasonal flash flooding continues to shape and carve the canyon’s mesmerizing features. Its surreal, wave-like formations in shades of orange are a favorite subject for photographers and tourists from all over the world.

7

Petrified Forest

Image: Megan Clark

The Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona boasts one of the world's largest and most vibrant concentrations of petrified wood . The park, part of the Painted Desert, is located between the Apache and Navajo Counties.

Most of the wood found there is from ancient conifer trees that date back about 225 million years to the Late Triassic period. These trees were swept into river systems, buried by sediment, and transformed into stone through a process called permineralization . The park also features a wealth of fossilized remains of ancient animals, including early reptiles.

8

Devils Tower

Image: Kyle Petzer

The Devils Tower stands alone, protruding dramatically from the plains. Considered sacred by Native American tribes, it was originally called "bad god’s tower," a name that eventually evolved into its current form. Located in northeastern Wyoming, this igneous rock monolith soars 867 feet above its base.

It was designated the first U.S. National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. Geologists agree that Devils Tower was formed through the intrusion of magma into sedimentary rock layers about 50 to 60 million years ago. Today, climbers from around the world are drawn to its sheer walls, though climbing is prohibited in June to honor Native ceremonies.

9

The Wave

Image: Mark Nemenzo

The Wave is a visually stunning sandstone formation located in the Coyote Buttes North area of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. Known for its hypnotic, swirling bands of red, orange, and yellow, its delicate ridges are so easily damaged that even one misplaced footstep could ruin the beautiful patterns.

Approximately 185 million years ago, this area was a vast desert covered in dunes. Over time, layers of sand were deposited, compacted, and cemented, forming this Navajo sandstone shape. Unfortunately, The Wave is only accessible by a challenging hike that requires a permit, due to the fragility of its ecosystem and high demand from visitors. With less than 5% of applicants obtaining a permit each year, it is one of the most exclusive hiking destinations in the world.

10

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

Image: Bruce Warrington

The Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, located in northern New Mexico, displays a unique landscape of tall, cone-shaped rock formations. These "tent rocks," composed of pumice and tuff, are known as "hoodoos." They are natural formations ranging from a few feet to approximately 90 feet tall.

The name "Kasha-Katuwe" means "white cliffs" in the Keresan language of the Cochiti Pueblo. Hiking trails, such as the Slot Canyon Trail, offer visitors the opportunity to explore the cones up close while walking through dramatic, narrow canyons.