1. Red Rover On the surface, Red Rover seemed like harmless playground fun, with kids linking arms and calling someone over to try and break through the chain. But anyone who played knows it was basically a collision sport disguised […]
1. Pennsylvania Station, New York City When the original Pennsylvania Station opened in 1910, it was hailed as one of the grandest train stations in the world. With soaring glass ceilings and massive Corinthian columns, it felt more like a
1. Lead-Based Face Powders In the early 20th century, many women unknowingly dusted their faces with lead-based powders to achieve that coveted porcelain look. While these powders did make skin appear flawless, they also caused lead to seep into the
1. Mata Hari Mata Hari’s name is practically synonymous with espionage, but her life before becoming a spy was just as intriguing. Born Margaretha Geertruida Zelle in the Netherlands, she reinvented herself in Paris as an exotic dancer, captivating audiences
1. Cowboys Wore Cowboy Hats Everywhere Hollywood loves the image of a rugged cowboy with a perfectly shaped Stetson perched on his head, whether he’s in the saddle, the saloon, or sleeping under the stars. But in reality, cowboys often
1. Rotary Dial Telephones In the ’60s, if you wanted to call someone, you had to physically spin a numbered dial and wait for it to rotate back each time. These phones were solid, heavy, and often anchored to a
1. Bloodletting for Almost Everything For centuries, doctors believed that most illnesses were caused by an imbalance of bodily “humors” and that draining blood could restore health. Patients with fevers, headaches, or even minor ailments were often subjected to having
