1

Smuggled sandwich

Image: Gennady Zakharin

During the Gemini 3 mission, astronaut John Young secretly brought a corned beef sandwich into space . He and fellow astronaut Gus Grissom took a few bites while in orbit.

Needless to say, Mission Control wasn’t amused—there were serious concerns about crumbs floating around and interfering with the spacecraft’s systems.

2

A gorilla in the ISS

Image: Amy Reed

Astronaut Scott Kelly pulled off a wild prank during his year in space by dressing in a gorilla suit and chasing fellow astronaut Tim Peake around the International Space Station.

The costume had been secretly sent by Scott’s twin brother, Mark Kelly, as a surprise birthday gift during the mission.

3

Lunar picnic

Image: Lucie Capkova

In 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history as the first humans to walk on the Moon. But they didn’t stop there.

To mark the occasion, they also shared the first meal on the lunar surface . The menu included bacon squares, peaches, sugar cookie cubes, a pineapple-grapefruit drink, and coffee.

And unlike the smuggled corned beef sandwich incident, this meal was entirely mission-approved.

4

Fined by Mars "owners"

Image: Planet Volumes

In 1997, NASA was sued by three men from Yemen who claimed that Mars had been passed down to them by their ancestors.

They accused NASA of trespassing when the Pathfinder rover landed—and even began selling plots of Martian land for $2 per square meter. Of course, the case was never taken seriously.

5

Metric vs. Imperial

Image: Bozhin Karaivanov

Back in 1999, NASA lost a Mars orbiter due to a mix-up between metric and imperial units. One team used the metric system, while another used imperial units to track thruster force.

The error caused the spacecraft to veer off course and burn up in the Martian atmosphere. It had been intended to be the first satellite to study Mars's climate and weather in detail.

6

Another fine—for littering

Image: Attila Lisinszky

In 1979, NASA’s Skylab space station re-entered Earth’s atmosphere and broke apart, scattering debris across Western Australia, about 482 kilometers east of Perth.

In response, the Shire of Esperance , a local government body in Western Australia, jokingly fined NASA $400 for littering.

7

A building with its own weather

Image: reza shayestehpour

NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the Kennedy Space Center is one of the largest buildings in the world by volume, enclosing over 3.7 million cubic meters of space. It was originally built to assemble the massive Saturn V rockets used in the Apollo missions.

But its immense size—combined with Florida’s high humidity—once led to clouds forming inside . To prevent this, NASA installed a 10,000-ton air conditioning system to control moisture and protect delicate spacecraft.

8

Bathroom issues

Image: Jan Antonin Kolar

Early space missions didn’t have modern toilets—just plastic bags taped in place. During Apollo 10, this led to an awkward moment when a piece of human waste was spotted floating through the cabin .

Commander Tom Stafford asked for a napkin to grab it, but no one claimed responsibility. Minutes later, another one appeared. The crew laughed it off, but to this day, the mystery remains unsolved.

9

Mutiny in space

Image: Towfiqu barbhuiya

In 1974, the Skylab 4 crew spent 84 days in space—the longest mission at the time. Overworked and stressed, the astronauts staged the first space mutiny by taking a surprise day off and cutting communication with NASA.

They relaxed and enjoyed the view of Earth before resuming contact the next day. NASA wasn’t thrilled but learned a valuable lesson: space missions must care for astronauts’ mental health, not just their physical well-being.

10

Paid to stay in bed

Image: Kinga Howard

NASA once paid volunteers $15,000 to lie in bed for 90 days to simulate the effects of zero gravity on the human body.

It sounds like a dream job (pun intended)—until you realize they weren’t allowed to get up at all, not even for a second.

11

No insurance

Image: Vlad Deep

Before Apollo 11 launched, the crew couldn’t get life insurance due to the mission’s high risks . So Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins came up with a clever backup plan.

They signed envelopes and postcards, which friends postmarked during the mission. If the astronauts didn’t return, their families could sell them to collectors for financial support.

1

The Beale Ciphers - Virginia

In the early 1800s, three coded papers surfaced, said to reveal the location of a hidden treasure in Virginia . Only one cipher (the second) has been partially decoded using the Declaration of Independence, pointing to a stash of gold, silver, and jewels.

Treasure hunters and cryptographers have tried for decades to crack the remaining ciphers. Yet, so far, no one has succeeded.

2

The Georgia Guidestones - Georgia

Erected in 1980, the granite monument carried inscriptions in multiple languages , laying out guidelines for humanity’s future. The massive slabs earned the nickname "America’s Stonehenge."

The mystery lies in who commissioned it. The sponsor used a pseudonym and never revealed their identity. Too bad they were destroyed in 2022 after being damaged by an explosion.

3

The "Wow!" Signal - Ohio, 1977

One night in 1977, Ohio State University’s Big Ear telescope picked up a deep-space radio burst lasting 72 seconds . Astronomer Jerry Ehman circled it and wrote "Wow!" beside the data.

The signal has never been definitively explained. Whether it was a passing comet, a reflection, or something else, no one knows.

4

Roanoke Colony’s "CROATOAN" - North Carolina

In the late 1500s, settlers on Roanoke Island disappeared, leaving only the word "CROATOAN" carved on wood . Their fate remains one of the earliest American mysteries.

Some think they merged with local tribes, while others suggest they relocated. Without proof, the vanished colony remains a puzzle historians love to revisit.

5

The Taos Hum - New Mexico

Since the 1990s, some residents of Taos report hearing a low, steady humming sound . It’s described like a distant diesel engine idling in the desert.

Some studies suggest it may be related to low-frequency industrial noise or tinnitus in some individuals. The reality is, scientists have studied the phenomenon but haven’t pinned down a cause.

6

Marfa Lights - Texas

Out in West Texas, glowing orbs have appeared on the horizon for generations . They shimmer, split, and move in ways that seem inexplicable.

Tourists flock to Marfa hoping to catch a glimpse. Some suggest car headlights or atmospheric tricks, but the mystery remains.

7

Bloop-Like Ocean Sounds - Pacific Ocean

In the 1990s, NOAA hydrophones picked up a booming, low-frequency sound in the Pacific Ocean . Nicknamed "the Bloop," it was louder than known whale calls.

Theories ranged from icequakes to giant sea life. NOAA later concluded the sound was likely caused by large icequakes from Antarctic ice breaking apart.

8

The Upton Chamber - Massachusetts

Hidden in Massachusetts is a stone tunnel leading to a small underground chamber . Its age and purpose are still debated.

Some believe it was a colonial root cellar, while others argue it predates settlers entirely. Without records, the chamber remains an enigmatic piece of New England history.

9

America’s Stonehenge - New Hampshire

This site features stone walls, chambers, and standing slabs . Some argue it was built by Native Americans, while others see evidence of pre-Columbian visitors.

While some alternative theories suggest ancient origins, most archaeologists believe the structures are from the colonial-era. Whatever its origin, it’s a fascinating stop for curious travelers.

10

The Great Serpent Mound - Ohio

In southern Ohio lies a massive prehistoric earthwork shaped like a winding serpent . Stretching over 1,300 feet, it curves and coils across the landscape in striking detail.

Scholars agree it was built by Indigenous peoples, but its purpose is unclear. Some suggest it was a ceremonial site or calendar, while others see cosmic symbolism.

11

The Blythe Intaglios - California

Etched into the Colorado Desert, these giant figures depict humans and animals , some over 170 feet long. They’re best seen from the air, raising questions about how and why they were made.

Created centuries ago by Native Americans, their exact age and purpose remain uncertain.

12

Judaculla Rock - North Carolina

This large boulder is carved with hundreds of mysterious petroglyphs . Shapes, lines, and symbols cover its surface, their meanings long lost to time.

The Cherokee connect the markings to Judaculla, a legendary giant. Whether the rock was a sacred site, a map, or something else, the exact meanings of many carvings remain unknown.

1

Pepsi: "Is Pepsi OK?"

Image: NIKHIL

If you’ve ever asked for a Coke and heard, "Is Pepsi OK?", you’re not alone—it’s a common scenario that has become a cultural cliché. In 2019, Pepsi embraced that moment and turned it into an ad campaign.

Featuring celebrities, the ads leaned into the joke and confidently rebranded Pepsi as more than just "OK."

2

Westinghouse: "We Can Do It!"

Image: Nayani Teixeira

Westinghouse Electric’s We Can Do It! poster, created during World War II to boost morale among female workers , later became a symbol of female empowerment in the 1970s.

Initially unrelated to the Rosie the Riveter character, the poster eventually gained widespread use in advertisements and pop culture, celebrating women’s strength and independence.

3

Pan-American Coffee Bureau: "Give yourself a coffee break!"

Image: Jakub Dziubak

In the 1950s, the Pan-American Coffee Bureau popularized the concept of the "coffee break" with a campaign that encouraged workers to relax while drinking the popular beverage .

By the 1960s, coffee breaks had become so essential that the United Auto Workers union demanded them in their contracts, even threatening a strike if they were not included.

4

Marlboro: The Marlboro Man

Image: Brendan Stephens

Created in 1954, the Marlboro Man transformed Marlboro from a women’s cigarette into a symbol of rugged masculinity . The iconic cowboy became so recognizable that by the late '90s, nearly 90% of schoolchildren knew him.

The character was retired in 1998 as part of a tobacco industry settlement that banned the use of human and cartoon figures in advertisements.

5

Ad Council: "Friends don't let friends drive drunk."

Image: Aedrian Salazar

Launched in 1983, the "Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk" PSA became a cultural milestone, directly addressing the widespread problem of drunk driving .

At the time, alcohol was involved in roughly half of all car crash fatalities. The campaign played a key role in shifting public attitudes and helped reduce that number to around 31% in the decades that followed.

6

Levi Strauss & Co.: "A Guide to Casual Businesswear"

Image: Varun Gaba

In the 1980s, "Casual Fridays" gained popularity , but many companies quickly regretted the trend as employees began showing up in overly casual or sloppy attire. In 1992, Levi Strauss & Co. capitalized on the situation by releasing A Guide to Casual Businesswear , promoting its Dockers and Levi’s brands as polished, workplace-appropriate options.

By 1995, Levi’s reported record sales of $6.2 billion, helping to redefine "business casual" and promoting a more professional yet relaxed dress code in the workplace.

7

Snickers: "You’re Not You When You’re Hungry"

Image: Shyam Mishra

Snickers’ Super Bowl ad featuring Betty White, in which hunger causes a man to momentarily "become" her during a football game , became an instant hit and introduced the now-iconic tagline: "You’re Not You When You’re Hungry."

The campaign's humor and relatable message made it highly successful, with the concept evolving over the years through new scenarios and celebrities.

8

KFC: "FCK"

Image: Aleks Dorohovich

During a 2018 chicken shortage , KFC used humor to manage the crisis with a bold ad that featured an empty bucket and the letters "FCK" in place of its logo .

This self-aware and cheeky approach helped diffuse customer frustration and strengthened the brand’s connection with its audience through honesty and wit.

9

Pepsi: "Pepsi Challenge"

Image: NIKHIL

Pepsi’s second entry on this list is the iconic "Pepsi Challenge," a blind taste-test campaign that invited consumers to compare Pepsi and Coca-Cola .

By focusing on taste and showing that many participants preferred Pepsi, the campaign successfully shifted public perception and boosted brand loyalty during the fiercely competitive "Cola Wars" of the 1980s.

10

Nike: "Just Do It"

Image: wuyi

Launched in 1988, Nike’s "Just Do It" campaign featured athletes like 80-year-old marathoner Walt Stack to inspire people from all walks of life to take action.

The slogan quickly resonated with audiences, sparking countless personal stories of bold choices and perseverance. It has since become one of the most enduring and recognizable taglines in advertising history.

11

California Milk Processor Board: "Got Milk?"

Image: engin akyurt

Launched in 1993, the legendary "Got Milk?" campaign emphasized the importance of milk through a study showing how people felt when they ran out .

With its clever use of celebrity endorsements and pop culture references, the campaign ran for over two decades and produced hundreds of memorable ads nationwide, cementing its place as one of the most influential marketing successes in advertising history.

12

Dove: "Real Beauty"

Image: Matthew Tkocz

Launched in 2004, Dove’s "Real Beauty" campaign aimed to boost self-confidence by challenging traditional beauty standards.

Featuring real women instead of professional models , the campaign focused on diversity, aging, and natural imperfections, promoting a more inclusive and empowering definition of beauty.