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.

1

Frustration Lake, Alaska

Image: Robin Holmquist

Have you ever felt upset or annoyed when you were trying unsuccessfully to achieve something? Well, that’s probably what happened to a pilot in the 60s when he couldn’t land on the rough surface of this icy lake in Alaska. Located in the Matanuska-Susitna region, by the Tordrillo Mountains, and adjacent to Triumvirate Glacier this area is difficult to access but frequented nonetheless by mountaineers in search of adventure .

According to Alaska Guide Co, Frustration Lake got its name in 1964 after a plane carrying three alpinists had to look for another climbing spot when they realized that it would be impossible to master the extreme conditions of this wayward body of water . So now you know, if you ever visit The Last Frontier, you might want to visit this faraway lake just to wash away all your frustrations.

2

Misery Islands, Massachusetts

Image: MagicTV

Misery Islands, an 87-acre nature reserve near Salem Harbor in Massachusetts, is full of stories. As early as 1900, a business group built a luxury retreat meant for the Boston and North Shore socialites that included a saltwater swimming pool, a casino, a clubhouse, a tennis court, a lounge, and even a 9-hole golf course! Can you imagine? Unfortunately, the enterprise didn’t last long, and a year later only ruins remained.

Not long after, a summer colony of more than 25 cottages was established on the coasts of Misery Islands, although they were also short-lived. In 1926, a devastating fire destroyed many houses and the owners eventually left. In light of these events, it is not surprising that in the 1620s, shipbuilder Captain Robert Moulton described his time here as "three miserable days". Despite the name they inherited, nowadays Misery Islands are open to the public and are worth a visit if only to appreciate their breathtaking views and the fresh sea air.

3

Desperation Drive and Solitude Way, California

Image: vishu

If you are driving to Eldorado National Forest in California and you suddenly start feeling down, don’t panic, perhaps you just got lost and landed on the intersection of Desperation Drive and Solitude Way . Located on Frenchtown, originally a mining camp 37 miles from Sacramento and southeast of Shingle Springs, these two charming winding roads to nowhere are somewhat of a mystery.

We can't be sure why or who gave them those names, but we couldn’t leave them out of this list. Who hasn't felt desperate and alone at some point? And who knows, maybe their remote location and surrounding tall pine trees bring some kind of solace and comfort.

4

Failure Canyon, Utah

Image: Ashim D’Silva

Utah is known for its natural beauty, national monuments, world-class ski resorts, and let’s face it, unusual names. Due to its cowboy, Indian, and Mormon heritage the Beehive State is home to places like Mount Timpanogos, Cutthroat Lake, and Eureka City. But perhaps one of the most peculiar ones is Failure Canyon, a valley in the mountainous Summit County.

With an elevation of 7,200 feet, this gorge originates in the southwest section of the Uinta Mountains and drains north into Beaver Creek. Rumor has it that it was named after Beaver Creek Charlie , a Ute Indian who went broke after failing as a prospector during the gold rush.

5

Spiteful Geyser, Wyoming

Image: David Köhler

We’ve heard of vengeful people, but spiteful geysers? Apparently, it’s a thing. Spiteful Geyser, located on Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park, is a crystalline pool with an average temperature of 179.5°F running off down the hillside.

This hot spring possibly formed from a hydrothermal explosion, got its name because when it erupts it spatters water straight at the boardwalk , catching everyone around off guard. However, despite its vindictive reputation, Spiteful Geyser seems to have grown in the last few years: it has not erupted since 1998.

6

Cape Disappointment, Washington

Image: Karsten Winegeart

Don't let the name fool you, Cape Disappointment won’t let you down! In fact, it’s one of Washington’s favorite state parks , featuring coastal forests, large beaches, an old fort, breathtaking scenery, and not one but two working lighthouses. Located just by the town of Ilwaco, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, this 2,023-acre camping park established in the early 1950s offers its visitors a variety of fun outdoor activities all year round.

So why is it called Cape Disappointment? The area earned its depressing name in 1788 when Captain John Meares failed to cross the river bar . The English navigator and explorer thought that the mouth of the Columbia River was only a bay and was eventually proved wrong. Over the years, the area was renamed a couple of times only to end up being called as one frustrated man intended, more than two centuries ago.

7

Lonelyville, New York

Image: Billy Liao

Lonelyville is a small beach community located on Fire Island in Suffolk County, New York. This little town got its nostalgic name from three businessmen and friends from Bay Shore who planted the flag in the area in the early 1900s. An article under the title "Lonelyville-By-The-Bay, Not So Lonely After All", published in a newspaper of the time stated that. one member of the group "racked his fertile brain for a name" and "almost immediately ‘Lonelyville’ suggested itself, and with due eclat, and champagne, the resort was christened and launched upon the sea of fame."

Nowadays, Lonelyville has approximately 80 houses, predominantly summer-only vacation cottages. There are no bars, stores, or cafes, so it’s the ideal place to vacation if you are looking for peace and quiet . Fun fact: one of the most prominent past residents of Lonelyville is writer and director Mel Brooks, who used to own an ocean-front house designed by no other than famed architect Richard Meier.

8

Nothing, Arizona

Image: ashutosh nandeshwar

Can you think of a better name for a ghost town? We certainly can’t! Nothing is an uninhabited town in eastern Mohave County, Arizona that, at its height, had a population of four. The settlement was established in 1977 by Richard "Buddy" Kenworthy, a liquor store owner from Coolidge. A friend suggested that he should call the new land Nothing, "since there ain't nothing out there."

For some time, the site consisted of a small convenience store and a gas station but was abandoned in 2005 when Kenworthy finally moved out. Over the years there were a few attempts to revive the town and even a pizza joint was opened in 2009. Unfortunately, these efforts proved to be unsuccessful and today Nothing is just a stopover for travelers passing through Route 93.

9

Despair Island, Rhode Island

Image: Pexels

Despair Island is one of the many islands that make up Narragansett Bay in Newport County, Rhode Island. This small 91-acre isle, composed mainly of rocks used by nesting birds, is a bit elusive. At high tide, it is barely visible and has to be marked with a buoy.

It was Puritan minister Roger Williams who gave this group of islands their names in the 17th century. Unfortunately for Despair Island, it got the worst possible one . The others surrounding it were given more uplifting aliases: Hope Island and Prudence Island. In fact, a children's Colonial-period song honored them like this: "Prudence, Patience, Hope, and Despair / And little Hog Island, right over there."

10

Disenchantment Bay, Alaska

Image: Joshua Sukoff

It seems to have been a popular fashion among explorers to embody their maritime frustrations in the names they gave to the places they discovered. This inlet right at the head of Yakutat Bay in Alaska, was named "Puerto del Desengaño" —Spanish for "bay of disenchantment"— by Tuscan explorer Alessandro Malaspina in 1792. Similar to what happened to other places listed in this article, Malaspina was disappointed when he discovered that the bay was not the entrance to the legendary Northwest Passage.

Nowadays, Disenchantment Bay is far from an unsatisfying place. It can be visited on a cruise ship or a charter boat to enjoy its spectacular views of the rugged coastline, icy islands, and the breathtakingly beautiful Hubbard Glacier.

1

Bison

Image: Alex Moliski

We’ll begin with the national mammal of the United States. Actually, that might be a bit reductive: the bison is not just a national symbol, but it has also been chosen as representative by a plethora of institutions, including the U.S. Department of the Interior, the University of Colorado, and several Great Plains states.

Since the end of the 19th century, indiscriminate hunting made the bison an extremely endangered species: By 1884, only 325 bison remained in the country. Luckily, thanks to the hard work of several conservation agencies, that number has gradually increased over the years, reaching a population of 500,000 bison by 2017.

2

Prairie dog

Image: Moritz Kindler

Here’s a question for any biologist reading this article: Why, pray tell, are prairie dogs not called "prairie squirrels"? While these mammals possess little to no dog-like features, they are definitely a close relative of squirrels. In fact, they belong to the same family. Food for thought, right?

In any case, prairie dogs are proof that an animal doesn’t have to be big to be important. All five species are considered keystone species to their environments, as their burrowing and mound-building help renew and revitalize the soil of their habitats. Not only that, they are extremely important components of the food chain, since they provide sustenance to many predators.

3

Alligator

Image: Matthew Essman

From the warm weather of the American South comes the only reptile on this list. Alligators are truly fascinating creatures: not only do they date back to the age of dinosaurs, but they can also only be found in 2 countries in the entire world—China and, of course, the United States.

While they are certainly deadly predators, don’t let their ferocity fool you: they rarely attack humans, and only when disturbed. Moreover, alligators are key species in maintaining their habitats, not just through population control, but also by encouraging plant diversity through the construction of alligator holes.

4

Grizzly bear

Image: Joshua J. Cotten

Anyone who has looked at a picture of a bear has probably thought in disbelief, "How can something that looks this adorable be so dangerous?" While this philosophical conundrum might be the reason that Teddy bears are so popular, the truth is that the grizzly bear is a perfect representative of the duality found in most of these large mammals: a combination of extreme cuteness with dangerous ferocity.

In that sense, we only need to take a look at the etymology of the grizzly bear to find the feral nature of this seemingly adorable creature. When Lewis and Clark first encountered these bears, they recorded their name as "grisley," which many believe comes from a Middle English word for "gruesome."

5

Gray wolf

Image: Anthony Sebbo

Many biologists consider the gray wolf the unsung hero of American wildlife. This majestic hunter is a keystone species in Yellowstone National Park, helping to maintain the elk and deer populations. And while it has notably appeared in many blankets and t-shirts, the gray wolf, sadly, has not been recognized as any state’s official mammal.

Originally, grey wolves’ range covered approximately two-thirds of America, but they can currently be found in the northern part of the country. Most notably, Alaska houses the largest wolf population in the country, with a number between 7,000 and 11,000 wolves roaming the state.

6

Turkey

Image: Tyler Jamieson Moulton

There’s an urban legend that states that Benjamin Franklin proposed the turkey to be our national symbol. If the stories are true, there might very well be a universe in which this odd-looking bird represents Americans everywhere. And although we’ll take the bald eagle as a symbol any day of the week, there’s something to be said about the nobility of this game bird.

Unlike their domesticated counterparts, wild turkeys are more adept at flying. Although we may never see a majestic turkey soar through the skies, they are able to fly short distances of up to a quarter mile. What’s perhaps most impressive about these birds is their wide range of vocalizations, which may sound like a simple "gobble, gobble" to us, but convey numerous meanings to other turkeys.

7

Groundhog

Image: Andy Sanchez

Sure, Beverly Hills might be the home of Hollywood’s royalty, but the borough of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, is home to one of America’s most famous stars. Since 1887, a groundhog by the name of Phil (Punxsutawney Phil, to be exact) has been the key figure in the town’s most famous tradition: "Groundhog Day," a celebration in which Phil predicts when will winter end.

While Punxsutawney Phil is perhaps America’s most famous groundhog, the truth is that these quirky rodents are one of America’s most recognizable animals. Interestingly, groundhogs are also known as "woodchucks," which is a rather baffling name, since these creatures are not known for chucking wood of any kind.

8

Florida panther

Image: Maheera Kulsoom

The alligator might be Florida’s most famous animal, but this large cat shouldn’t be overlooked. The Florida panther is the only cougar species living in the Eastern United States, with a worrying 200 individuals currently living in the Sunshine State.

This majestic cougar is a source of pride for many Floridians, and numerous conservation campaigns have been launched over the years to help protect its habitat. The Florida panther was named the state’s official animal in 1982, as well as being the namesake of the South Florida ice hockey team.

9

Roadrunner

Image: Anish Lakkapragada

Isn’t it strange not to see a coyote included in the title of this entry? We feel bad about separating this iconic pair, but we are sure you’ll agree that the roadrunner is an amazing bird in its own right, even becoming New Mexico’s official state bird in 1949.

Warner Bros. cartoons quickly capitalized on this bird’s most remarkable feature: its running speed. Roadrunners can reach speeds of up to 20 mph, which comes in great help for hunting and running away from predators (like a certain coyote).

10

Bald eagle

Image: Michael Jerrard

The bald eagle shares the title of "most instantly recognizable American symbol" with the American flag and Mount Rushmore. Its status sometimes makes us forget about the spectacular specimen hiding behind the American icon, so we thought it would be a good idea to close this article with a small tribute to our favorite bird of prey.

Let’s start with the obvious: the name "bald eagle" doesn’t come from any distinct lack of plumage, but rather from the old meaning of the word "bald," which used to stand for "white-headed." This distinction seems necessary because one of the most breathtaking aspects of this bird is the contrast of its feathers, which produces a stunning image when paired with its yellow beak. For a while, the status of the bald eagle was endangered until its population recovered thanks to conservation efforts.