1

Town crier

In early American towns (and elsewhere in the world), before printed media and mass communication were the norm, news didn’t arrive through newspapers or broadcasts: it arrived by voice. Town criers walked streets ringing bells and loudly announcing public notices, laws, and important events . They were essential in communities where literacy was limited, and information traveled slowly.

2

Factory lectors

Nowadays, when you have some manual, boring labor to do, you can turn on the radio, listen to some music, or a podcast. Of course, that wasn’t an option once upon a time. In some factories, workers hired a lector to read aloud while they worked .

Starting in the mid 1800s and into the beginning of the 1900s, lectors in factories shared newspapers, novels, and political texts, keeping workers informed and entertained during long hours.

3

Elevator operator

Using an elevator seems easy enough today, but for decades, elevators didn’t run themselves. Operators manually controlled speed, direction, and stopping points using levers and switches , while also greeting passengers and announcing floors.

In luxury hotels and department stores, a skilled, often uniformed operator was part of the experience, expected to be polite, precise, and calm under pressure. The job peaked in the early 20th century, especially in big cities like New York and Chicago.

4

Switchboard operator

For early telephone calls, switchboard operators had to manually plug cords into panels to link callers together . The occupation rose shortly after Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone in the 1870s, and became a fundamental job until the middle of the following century, when direct dialing was introduced.

Most operators were women, chosen for their calm voices, speed, and courtesy. They often memorized local names, numbers, and even callers’ personal habits and routines.

5

Bowling pinsetter

In early bowling alleys, pins did not magically reset themselves via machines. Pinsetters stood behind the lanes, manually rearranging pins after every roll.

It was noisy, repetitive, and sometimes dangerous work, often done by teenagers . It was only in the 1950s that automatic pinsetting machines were introduced.

6

Lamplighter

Since the beginning of the 19th century, every evening, lamplighters walked city blocks, lighting gas lamps one by one . At dawn, they returned to extinguish them. This job was vital for public safety because the lights helped prevent crime and accidents in dark streets.

It wasn’t until the 1880s that the first electric streetlights were introduced in some cities, but they weren’t the norm until the 1950s. At that point, the cost of maintaining gas pipes had become too high compared to electricity, so the last gas lamps were removed.

7

Milkman

For the first half of the 20th century, the milkman was a familiar sight on American streets. He delivered fresh milk in glass bottles, leaving them in insulated boxes by the door. Many families depended on daily or near-daily deliveries, since refrigeration was limited or unreliable. By the 1940s, however, most American homes owned a refrigerator and the role of milkmen slowly faded.

8

Typist

There was a time, before computers, autocorrect, and AI, when offices relied on professional typists to produce everything from letters to legal documents. Many large companies employed entire "typing pools," rooms filled with workers trained to type quickly and accurately on typewriters. Precision mattered more than you may think; unlike today, mistakes on paper (rather than the screen) sometimes meant starting the document over.

9

Human computer

There was also a time when "computers" were people; their occupation was first mentioned in texts from 1613. Their role was to develop complex mathematical calculations by hand for scientific research, engineering projects, and more. Astronomers during the Renaissance, navigators during the Age of Exploration, and NASA space missions all relied on human computing for their operations.

Imagine that: teams worked through equations for hours or days, checking each other’s math for accuracy. During World War II and the early Cold War, this work was vital to national defense.

10

Knocker-upper

Before the Industrial Revolution, most people woke up with the sun. However, by the early 1800s, when factory systems took hold of big cities, being even five minutes late ceased to be an option for workers. To avoid oversleeping, which could mean lost wages, they paid a person to wake them up.

Knocker-uppers walked neighborhoods early in the morning, tapping on windows with long poles or shooting dried peas through blowpipes . Eventually, alarm clocks were introduced in the late 1800s, and the need for this occupation started declining.

11

Telegraph operator

A case in which the occupation disappeared along with the technology. Before phones and instant messaging, the telegraph, which was invented in 1837, was the fastest way to send information across long distances.

Telegraph operators translated messages into Morse code , sending dots and dashes through wires that spanned the country. Speed and accuracy were critical, especially for news, business, and wartime communication. With the introduction of radio transmissions and telephones in the late 1800s, the service became more and more obsolete, although Western Union, the major telegraph service in the US, continued to operate until 2006.

12

Iceman

Finally, there were the icemen. Before refrigerators became household staples, the iceman was an essential figure in American daily life. He delivered massive blocks of ice straight to people’s homes .

These blocks kept food fresh and milk cold in an era before electric cooling. Ice was harvested from frozen lakes in winter, stored in insulated warehouses, and rationed carefully during warmer months.

1

Driving barefoot

Image: Ashley Byrd

No federal or state law in the U.S. bans driving barefoot. Though sometimes discouraged for safety reasons, driving barefoot is legal in all 50 states (and in most countries worldwide as well).

While police might ask you to put your shoes on during a traffic stop, it’s merely a suggestion, not a legal requirement. In most modern cars, driving barefoot presents no significant safety risks, but it could affect insurance claims. If you’re involved in an accident while barefoot, you might face increased scrutiny from insurers.

2

Riding in the back of a pickup truck

Image: Richard Lu

This is a bit of a gray area. There is no federal law regulating the practice, but some states or local jurisdictions may impose restrictions, often including age limits.

In rural areas, most people won’t bat an eye if you ride in the bed. However, it can be considered a safety risk and may serve as an aggravating factor if you’re stopped for speeding or other traffic violations.

3

Cursing in public

Image: Kristina Flour

While it’s common courtesy not to go around hurling insults and profanity, the truth is no one can legally require you to stop if you are so inclined.

This is because profanity is generally protected speech. However, "generally" is doing some heavy lifting here, as depending on the context, it could be considered provocation or incitement to violence.

4

Sleeping in your car

Image: lucas Favre

It’s not illegal to sleep in your car unless local ordinances specifically prohibit it in certain areas, such as city streets or commercial lots.

Often, it has nothing to do with sleeping whatsoever, as in some places, all overnight parking at rest stops is prohibited or limited to just a few hours. Some Walmart lots might allow it, but that’s a private policy—not a law—and you should check with the local manager to be sure.

5

Eating while driving

Image: Dmitriy Frantsev

There’s no blanket law against eating while driving, though it can be considered a distraction. If it leads to unsafe driving, you could be cited.

Washington State’s distracted driving law bans holding electronic devices and allows extra fines for erratic driving caused by distractions , including eating or drinking . Some states, such as New Jersey, have considered banning it entirely, but most proposed laws are too vague to be enforced clearly.

6

Owning a flamethrower

Image: Tali Despins

Surprisingly, there’s no federal law in the U.S. that bans civilian flamethrower ownership. However, a few states do impose restrictions; California and Maryland have strict laws prohibiting or regulating them.

Some companies even market flamethrowers for agricultural use, like controlled burns or weed clearing. But misuse of a flamethrower can lead to serious legal charges—for instance, arson, reckless endangerment, or other criminal or civil liabilities.

7

Ignoring someone knocking at your door

Image: Aaron Burden

No law requires you to open your door to anyone, including police, unless they have a warrant.

If you're pulled over while driving or stopped on the street, you’re generally required to comply with police instructions. But if you're inside your home with the door closed—and ideally locked—you’re under no obligation to respond at all.

8

Selling homemade food without a license

Image: Museums of History New South Wales

Most states require permits or inspections to sell food commercially. However, many states have "cottage food laws" that allow limited sales of certain homemade goods without a license.

But if you scale up beyond small-batch home production, you’ll likely face a citation—and a hefty fine—from the authorities.

9

Backyard burials

Image: Jennifer Grismer

Believe it or not, there’s no federal law against burying human remains on private property. Many states allow it, provided you have the proper paperwork, such as a death certificate and burial permit. Local zoning laws may regulate factors like location, depth, and proximity to water sources or property lines.

Similarly, pet burials are generally permitted, but local ordinances can vary —so it’s important to check them first.

10

Using a fake name online

Image: Sander Sammy

Unless it’s used for fraud or to impersonate a real person, using an alias on social media or online forums isn’t a crime.

Some platforms may prohibit it in their terms of service, but that’s a civil matter—not a criminal one. Legal issues generally arise only if the alias is used to cause harm, deceive others, or commit financial fraud.

11

Flying the U.S. flag at night without lighting

Image: Shelley Pauls

The U.S. Flag Code suggests that the flag should be illuminated if flown at night, but this is just a general guideline, not a legally enforceable law.

Stricter requirements may apply to government buildings, but for private citizens, the code is purely advisory and symbolic.

1

A rivalry becomes a business success

During the Great Depression, Harland Sanders ran a humble Shell station in Corbin, Kentucky. Back then, business was cutthroat, and Sanders found himself in a bitter feud with Matt Stewart, a rival gas station owner who kept painting over Sanders’ highway signs to redirect traffic. After several warnings went unheard, Sanders marched over to confront Stewart.

When Stewart was caught in the act, a physical confrontation quickly escalated. Stewart drew a pistol and shot a Shell manager who was accompanying Sanders, killing him on the spot. Sanders retaliated by firing back and wounding Stewart, who was later arrested and sentenced to prison for murder. With his main competitor safely behind bars, Sanders was able to expand his service station, perfect his pressure-frying method, and ultimately transform his business into a massive commercial success.

2

The KFC you know today exists thanks to Wendy’s

Although you may view KFC and Wendy’s as distinct competitors, the reality is that the chicken giant owes its structural identity to Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s. In the 1960s, Thomas worked as a head chef and regional manager for the Colonel’s franchises.

He was a marketing whiz who personally convinced Colonel Sanders to star in his own television commercials, cementing his status as a living mascot. Furthermore, Thomas created the iconic red and white striped bucket design. He became so wealthy from his shares and success at KFC that he used his payout to establish his own burger empire, Wendy’s, in 1969.

3

The secret recipe's security

The legendary blend of "11 herbs and spices" is one of the most famously guarded secrets. Did you know KFC keeps the recipe locked inside a top-secret vault at the corporate headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky?

The vault, encased in thick layers of concrete, is protected by motion sensors, security cameras, and 24/7 guards. To ensure the formula is never leaked, KFC splits the production pipeline: two different companies are hired to mix separate halves of the spice blend. Neither company knows the other's ingredients, and a computer system automatically combines the two halves before the seasoning is shipped out to individual franchises.

4

KFC for Christmas in Japan

In the United States, a Christmas dinner consists of roasted turkey or ham. In Japan, however, Nativity food comes in a cardboard bucket. This wild tradition dates back to 1974, sparked by Takeshi Okawara, the manager of the country's first KFC branch.

After overhearing homesick Western expats lamenting how difficult it was to source a holiday turkey in Japan, Okawara launched the national "Kentucky for Christmas" campaign, which exploded into a cultural phenomenon. Today, an estimated 3.6 million Japanese families celebrate Christmas Eve with KFC, with patrons placing their orders months in advance to avoid long lines.

5

Colonel Sanders hated KFC

By 1964, 73-year-old Colonel Snaders felt he was no longer cut out for the pace of corporate life. He sold the Kentucky Fried Chicken company to a group of investors for $2 million, under a contract that allowed the brand to continue using his likeness.

As executives changed the original recipes to cut costs, Sanders grew to hate the food KFC was serving. He began travelling the country, showing up unannounced at franchises to taste the food, throw public tantrums, and openly tell the media that the new gravy tasted like "wallpaper paste" or "sludge". He even attempted to open a rival restaurant and sued KFC for using his image, leading the company to counter-sue him. Eventually, KFC paid him an additional million dollars just to stop making public scenes.

6

KFC Double Down

KFC has never been afraid of pushing nutritional boundaries, but in 2010 they certainly hit another level. The Double Down features bacon, Monterey Jack cheese, and a Colonel's special sauce encased between two seasoned, crispy slabs of fried chicken breast instead of bread buns.

The item sparked a media frenzy, with health advocates calling it a dietary disaster and foodies treating it as a dare. Ultimately, it proved to be a commercial hit. As it turns out, when it comes to extreme fast food, consumers are more than willing to ignore the carbs in favor of deliciousness.

7

That time KFC ran out of chicken

A fried chicken restaurant running out of its main ingredient sounds like a nightmare, but in 2018, it became real for KFC in the United Kingdom. In an effort to optimize logistics and save money, management switched its delivery contract to DHL. The transition went completely wrong, resulting in a supply chain jam that left over 900 UK locations with no chicken to fry.

Hundreds of stores were forced to shut down temporarily, sparking nationwide outrage, with desperate citizens even calling the police to complain. KFC managed to restore its reputation by leaning into self-deprecating humor, purchasing newspaper advertisements that featured an empty bucket rearranged to read "FCK".

8

The problem with the slogan in Chinese

When international fast food brands began expanding into foreign territories in the late 1980s, errors were very common. KFC experienced this firsthand when it opened its first store in Beijing, China, in 1987. The company wanted to proudly display its world-famous catchphrase, "Finger-Lickin' Good", to tempt local diners.

Unfortunately, due to an oversight in Mandarin translation, the slogan was literally translated to "Eat Your Fingers Off". While the phrase initially startled and amused local consumers, the brand quickly corrected the translation mishap to something more culturally appropriate and appetizing.

9

KFC's video game

Decades after the Colonel’s passing, KFC’s marketing division decided to lean into modern internet subcultures. In 2019, the brand shocked the gaming community by releasing an official, anime-style video game titled I Love You, Colonel Sanders! A Finger Lickin’ Good Dating Simulator.

Developed as a visual novel, the free game places the player in a culinary school alongside a young and handsome romanticized version of Colonel Sanders. The goal of the game is to successfully navigate cooking school battles while attempting to woo the chicken chef. Against all odds, the game became a viral sensation.

10

KFC releases its own console

Following the unexpected success of their video game, KFC’s marketing team announced the KFConsole in 2020. Many assumed it was an April Fool’s joke, but it turned out to be a genuine gaming PC.

The most bizarre feature of the console is its custom "Chicken Chamber". This specialized compartment uses the heat generated by the computer’s internal components to keep pieces of fried chicken warm and crispy while you play video games.