General General 4 min read

A guide to America's most unconventional museums

The bizarre American museums you never knew existed (but need to visit)

Image: Flickch

Forget the Louvre and the Smithsonian. If you're craving something a little more... unusual on your next museum outing, America has you covered. From pickles to parasites, these wonderfully weird institutions prove that literally anything can be museum-worthy if you're passionate enough about it.

1
The Museum of Bad Art (Massachusetts)

Image: Jerry Wang

Founded in 1994, MOBA showcases art "too bad to be ignored," featuring paintings so spectacularly awful they circle back to being captivating . We're talking off-kilter portraits, baffling subject matter, and techniques that defy explanation.

The collection includes masterpieces like "Lucy in the Field with Flowers," featuring a grandmother dancing in a meadow while wearing what might be a nightgown. Each piece comes with a tongue-in-cheek description that treats these disasters with the same reverence the Met gives to Rembrandts.

2
The International Banana Museum (California)

Image: Deon Black

This museum holds the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of banana-related items . With over 25,000 banana things crammed into one yellow-painted space, it's exactly as bonkers as it sounds. Banana phones, banana lamps, banana art—if you can slap a banana on it, it's here.

The museum's motto is "Yes, we have no bananas... we have more!" which pretty much sums up the gloriously ridiculous vibe.

3
The Museum of Broken Relationships (California)

Image: Kelly Sikkema

This surprisingly poignant museum displays donated objects from failed romances , each accompanied by a brief story from the heartbroken donor. Started in Croatia and now with an outpost in Los Angeles, it transforms personal pain into shared human experience. You'll find everything from wedding dresses to an actual prosthetic leg, each item representing a relationship that didn't quite make it.

What could be depressing is actually oddly uplifting: there's humor, anger, relief, and occasionally shocking pettiness on display. One exhibit features an axe someone used to destroy their ex's furniture, piece by therapeutic piece.

4
The International Cryptozoology Museum (Maine)

Image: Jon Sailer

This Portland museum is dedicated to creatures that may or may not exist , from Sasquatch and the Loch Ness Monster to the Chupacabra. Founded by cryptozoologist Loren Coleman, it houses hair samples, plaster casts of mysterious footprints, and endless speculation about what's lurking in our forests and lakes.

5
The Mustard Museum (Wisconsin)

Image: Pedro Durigan

Wisconsin's National Mustard Museum celebrates that yellow squeeze-bottle staple with 6,000+ varieties of mustard from all 50 states and over 70 countries . Curator Barry Levenson started collecting after his beloved Boston Red Sox lost the World Series in 1986, and a voice in a grocery store told him to pursue mustard instead. As one does.

The museum offers free tastings because, apparently, there's a whole world of mustard beyond French's that many of us have been missing. From champagne mustard to chocolate mustard to varieties with names you can't pronounce, it's a full-on condiment education.

6
The Museum of Clean (Idaho)

Image: JESHOOTS.COM

Spanning 75,000 square feet, it chronicles the history of cleaning from ancient times to modern day . It features vintage vacuum cleaners, washing machines, and cleaning products that would horrify today's safety inspectors.

The museum makes a compelling case that cleaning technology has shaped civilization more than we realize. You'll see how our ancestors scrubbed, swept, and sanitized before electricity, and gain a weird appreciation for your Swiffer.

7
The Mutter Museum (Pennsylvania)

Image: Tibor Dányi

This Philadelphia institution houses medical oddities, anatomical specimens, and antique medical equipment that can look more like torture devices. Think preserved organs, skeletal anomalies, and a wall of skulls that's both educational and nightmare-inducing.

The museum's most famous resident is the "Soap Lady," whose body turned into a soap-like substance after burial. There is also a sample of Albert Einstein’s brain tissue on display, because why not?

8
The American Toby Jug Museum (Illinois)

Image: agmclellan

Toby jugs are those quirky ceramic pitchers shaped like people's heads and bodies, usually depicting jolly characters in tricorn hats. This Evanston museum houses over 8,000 of them, representing the world's largest collection of these peculiar drinking vessels .

The collection spans centuries and includes rare jugs worth thousands of dollars alongside kitschy modern versions. You'll learn that Toby jugs have depicted everyone from Winston Churchill and Sherlock Holmes to characters from literature and politics.

9
The Spam Museum (Minnesota)

Image: ZHIJIAN DAI

This 14,000-square-foot museum in Austin, Minnesota, celebrates the canned pork product that fed armies and annoyed email users everywhere . Interactive exhibits let you pretend to work on the Spam production line, and you'll learn more about processed meat than you thought possible.

10
The International UFO Museum and Research Center (New Mexico)

Image: Danie Franco

Located in Roswell, the site of the most famous alleged UFO crash in history, this museum is ground zero for alien conspiracy theories. Founded by people who claim firsthand knowledge of the 1947 incident, it presents eyewitness accounts, declassified government documents, and enough speculation to keep you wondering all night .

Beyond Roswell, the museum explores UFO sightings worldwide, alien abduction stories, and government cover-up theories that range from plausible to completely bonkers.

General General 5 min read

The Soundtrack of Our Lives

Plop, plop, fizz, fizz! Remember these 10 catchy jingles?

Every brand aims to create a logo, slogan, or jingle that is instantly recognizable and remains iconic over time. But the truth is, not all of them succeed. However, some brands have developed jingles so catchy that, from the moment you hear them, you can't help but sing along. We're talking about those ads that we can still easily remember, even though they were created years ago. Do any come to mind? So, get ready to relive 10 of these unforgettable jingles that stuck in our minds!

1
"I don't want to grow up"- Toys 'R' Us

Image: Liao Je Wei

No kid on Earth doesn't love toys, and Toys 'R' Us knew this too well. Their unforgettable commercial, "I Don't Want to Grow Up, I'm a Toys 'R' Us Kid," is proof of that. Remember it? Of course, you do!

Launched in the 1980s, this ad was a hit. The kids' voices repeatedly stating, "I don't want to grow up," immediately brings the brand's name to mind. In addition to the catchy line, the commercial also showcased a wide variety of toys available in stores, which are—of course—the reason why kids never want to grow up!

2
"Give me a break"- Kit Kat

Image: Abi Schreider

Kit Kat has successfully tied itself to the joy of taking a break , thanks in large part to its iconic jingle: "Give me a break, give me a break, break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar!" Feeling like dancing?

We're sure you've caught yourself singing this line more than once in everyday life. The infectious tune has lived rent-free in our minds since the ‘80s when the commercial first debuted. In it, chefs, firefighters, builders, office workers, and people from all walks of life—including children—hold up a Kit Kat bar, smiling and dancing as they politely ask for their well-deserved break.

3
"Plop plop fizz fizz"- Alka-Seltzer

Image: Ksenia

For a jingle to stand out, it needs to be both consistent and effective . And Alka-Seltzer's most famous jingle nailed it perfectly.

"Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is!" is the catchy jingle that hit the radio in 1953. With two simple words, it shows us how to use the product: "Plop" (drop the tablet into a glass of water), "fizz" (watch it dissolve), and then, relief!

Later adapted for TV, the commercial featured Alka-Seltzer's mascot, Speedy , who explained the product's benefit: "Those speedy bubbles relieve your upset stomach and headache fast! For acid indigestion alone, Alka-Seltzer Gold."

4
"Sometimes you feel like a nut"- Almond Joy and Mounds

Image: Jessica Loaiza

As brands offer a variety of products, they often look for unique ways to differentiate each one, creating distinct commercials to highlight the essence of each product. But Almond Joy and Mounds, produced by the same company, did the opposite: they were united in the same commercial.

"Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't. Almond Joy's got nuts, Mounds don't." Not only is it funny and catchy, but it's also crystal clear: although the bars look similar, there’s one key difference. Yep, the nuts ! So, which one is your favorite?

5
"Mmm Mmm Good" – Campbell's Soup

Image: Kelly Common

Sometimes, the simplest approach is the most effective, right? And that was demonstrated by Campbell's when it launched its famous jingle "Mmm Mmm Good." You've probably heard it!

What's the expression you use when you taste something that's delicious? That's right: Mmm! The canned soup brand exploited this universal expression to the fullest by adding it to its commercials and consistently evoking a cozy, homey vibe. By doing so, they connected the product with the kind of food we all prefer: homemade .

6
"My Bologna Has a First Name"- Oscar Mayer

Image: Aneta Voborilova

Almost everyone knows how to spell " bologna ," and that's largely thanks to Oscar Mayer's catchy 1973 jingle. Remember that one?

In the famous commercial, a young boy sings, "My bologna has a first name, it's O-S-C-A-R/ My bologna has a second name, it's M-A-Y-E-R/ Oh, I love to eat it every day, and if you ask me why, I'll say/ 'Cause Oscar Mayer has a way with B-O-L-O-G-N-A." The catchy tune and playful lyrics became a cultural phenomenon, making the brand name synonymous with the product. It was a highly effective marketing tactic!

Kids and adults alike couldn't stop spelling out this fun jingle, which still plays in our minds to this day.

7
"Meow, meow, meow, meow…"- Meow Mix

Image: Matheus Queiroz

Sometimes, we wish our pets could talk to us. It's a fantasy explored by many cartoons and some famous movies. But if your cat could talk, what would it ask for as its favorite meal? Hard to guess, right? Meow Mix, the cat food company, decided to give us an answer.

In its 1970s commercial, a kitten "sings" the catchy jingle, "Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow," while the visuals clearly show that the cat is asking for Meow Mix's delicious food. Associating the very sound of the animal with the brand name was a very clever move!

8
"Like a Good Neighbor"- State Farm

Image: Tierra Mallorca

You know a jingle is good when it's been around for decades , and that's the case with the iconic "Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there" from the well-known insurance company.

The jingle was written in 1971, and since then, it has become one of the most recognized jingles in commercial history.

Sung warmly and softly, the jingle conveys the idea that the insurance company will always be there for the customers, whatever they need, providing a sense of security and reliability.

9
"I'm A Big Kid Now"- Huggies Pull-Ups

Image: Jimmy Conover

Cuteness is a great way to connect with an audience, and Huggies, the famous diaper and pull-up brand, understands this perfectly.

And the proof of this is its iconic jingle, "I'm a big kid now!" This line represents the transition from diapers to training pants and the start of the potty training process.

The commercial, which debuted in 1992, features a young child proudly telling his parents about all the things he can do now that he's a "big kid." It highlights the joy and pride of this milestone for both toddlers and their parents. The jingle was a big hit and became one of the brand's most famous.

10
"I'm Lovin' It" - McDonald's

Image: Road Ahead

When you think of McDonald's advertisements, it's impossible not to remember the legendary "I'm Lovin' It."

Although it's newer than some other jingles on this list, "I'm Lovin' It" debuted in 2003 and quickly became an iconic part of the McDonald's brand. Along with the catchy "pa ra pa pa pa" hum, the jingle successfully linked the brand with the pleasure of enjoying a delicious burger.

Thanks to its simplicity and positive vibes, the jingle became a crucial part of the brand's identity and is etched in the memory of many Americans.

General General 6 min read

These 10 impressive world records are held by Americans

Image: Gentrit Sylejmani

There’s a hopeful belief that everyone in the world is the best at something . From completing the most hopscotch games in 24 hours to crossing the country in a wheelchair, from shining on the courts of Wimbledon to doing it in outer space, these stories make us fantasize about pushing our own limits and finding out what we are capable of. We’ve assembled a list of just a few American icons who have shown us the extremes. Read on to discover some surprising tidbits about the stories of triumph from these admirable record-holders .

1
Highest vehicle mileage

Image: Max Andrey

Over 3 million miles in a Volvo bought in 1966. The registered number is 3,039,122 miles , to be precise. Irvin Gordon , from Brooklyn, New York City, broke the record in 2013 somewhere around Girdwood, a town near Anchorage, Alaska. The Guinness World Records indicate that his car’s mileage is the equivalent of 120 circumnavigations of the planet.

Gordon kept driving his car even after breaking the world record, so by the time he passed away in 2018, he’d reached 3,260,257 miles. And that wasn’t his only car, either–he had another car that Volvo gifted him after achieving one million miles on his first. Gordon sold that one after driving 450,000 miles on it.

2
Woman to win the most Grand Slam Singles

Image: Todd Trapani

Serena Williams won 23 Grand Slam singles titles in the Open Era, marking over two decades of establishing herself as one of the best tennis players in history. Keep in mind that she was pregnant with her daughter, Alexis Olympia, when she won her 23rd title at the 2017 Australian Open. It was her sister, Venus Williams, whom she defeated in that final.

The athlete from Compton, California retired in 2022 after awing the world with an outstanding career. She won over 73 individual tournaments in her life, earning numerous world-class distinctions. For example, she is also the only person in history to have won career Golden Slams (the four Grand Slams plus an Olympic Gold Medal) both in singles and doubles tournaments.

3
Most Olympic Gold Medals won

Image: Guduru Ajay bhargav

No other Olympian athlete has been more decorated than legendary swimmer Michael Phelps . He retired in 2016 after an incredible career of breaking speed records and competing against the world’s best swimmers. Some consider "the Baltimore Bullet " one of the greatest athletes of all time. Spanning from the 2004 Athens Olympics to the 2016 Rio Olympics, Phelps earned 28 medals, 23 of which were gold.

Funnily enough, "The Flying Fish" also holds a record in a completely unrelated sport: golf . He enjoys the sport in his free time, and before retiring from swimming, he implied that he might consider taking it up professionally. His odds aren’t bad: In 2012, he set the record for the longest televised putt in history (159 feet).

4
Oldest woman to fly in space

Image: Pixabay

For 23 years, this title had been held by astronaut John Glenn, who had returned to space at age 77 aboard NASA’s Space Shuttle Discovery. But Wally Funk made history in 2021 when she embarked on a rocket from Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin company. She was 82 .

Funk had passed NASA’s rigorous astronaut training program for women, known as "Mercury 13," back in the ’60s and went on to lead an outstanding career as an American aviator following the program’s cancellation. Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft took her on a suborbital flight, fulfilling her long-awaited dream. For a few months only, she was the oldest person to have flown in space, until Canadian William Shatner did it too—he was 90 years old.

5
Most prolific record-breaker

Image: absteress

In 1979, Ashrita Furman, from Brooklyn, New York, set out on an odd quest: to break as many world records as he possibly could. In doing so, he also earned the Guinness World Record for the most world records set by a single individual. As of today, he has broken around 700, with 200 still standing.

Some of the eccentric challenges in which he left his mark included pushing an orange with his nose for a mile and playing 434 hopscotch games in 24 hours. Why, though? Furman explained that his motivation relies on a desire for self-transcendence , and his philosophy that the mind can achieve anything it sets itself to. A strange coincidence: Furman was born exactly four days after the first Guinness Book of World Records was published.

6
Longest number counted aloud

Image: Skitterphoto

In 2007, it occurred to Jeremy Harper that he could film himself counting out loud from the number one to one million . So he did. It’s difficult to grasp the immensity of this feat until you learn that it took him 89 days. He spent 16 hours a day counting, without leaving his home, and viewers could stream live video of him counting.

You can watch the recording online of him pronouncing the final numbers and celebrating by doing a chicken dance . Through this feat, Harper, from Birmingham, Alabama, raised over $10,000 for his chosen charity, Push America, and was inscribed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

7
Best-selling musical album in history

Image: vaphotography .gr

In the early ‘80s, Michael Jackson set out to create an album where "every song was a killer," and he did not miss his mark. Thriller became the best-selling album of all time, with over 70 million copies sold worldwide. The nine-track album featured a star-studded lineup, including Paul McCartney, the first artist ever to be featured on a Michael Jackson album.

Quincy Jones was the producer of this record and had a relentless pursuit of perfection. Some of the songs, like "Billie Jean," had to be recorded over 30 times before the artists were satisfied. At the 1984 Grammy Awards, the album won a record-breaking eight awards in a single night. Santana’s Supernatural surpassed that record by winning nine awards in 1999.

8
Female Entertainer with the Longest TV Career

Image: Anna Tarazevich

The beloved Sue Ann from The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rose from The Golden Girls were just a few of the iconic characters that Betty White gifted us. Betty White made her television debut in 1939 and remained active for over 80 years, giving her the longest career of any female television entertainer.

Apart from that, she was the first woman to produce a sitcom when the series Life with Elizabeth premiered in 1953, a show in which she also starred. Here’s another record Betty White broke: in 2010, after a Facebook campaign requested she host Saturday Night Live , she became the oldest person ever to do so, at the age of 88.

9
Crossing the U.S. in a wheelchair

Image: Marcus Aurelius

Matt Eddy crossed the country in his motorized wheelchair , starting in Lynn Beach, Massachusetts, and ending in Long Beach, California. No one had ever done this before. A survivor of a muscular dystrophy disease, Eddy, from Boston, controlled his chair with just two fingers.

The feat took him 126 days, that is, four months. He rode for five hours a day, sometimes enduring extreme desert temperatures that affected the functioning of his chair. Though this incredible journey was inscribed as an official record in 2010, Eddy had already done it before. Only two years prior, in 2008, he had successfully completed a first run of what he called the " Journey of a Million Smiles ."

10
Most surfers on a single surfboard

Image: Juan Samudio

On the first day of summer in 2015, 66 people hopped onto a super-scaled surfboard and rode one wave together at Huntington Beach, California. The massive orange board measured 42 feet long and 11 feet wide and had to be towed into the sea. They chose this beach to make history because of its 100-year-long love affair with surfing.

Thousands of spectators watched from the beach and the pier as the surfers rode the wave to shore, where it was immediately proclaimed an official Guinness World Record. They had surpassed the achievement of 47 surfers who had ridden on the same board in Queensland, Australia in 2005.

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