1. Witches and Butter In early America, butter wasn’t just food, it was almost mystical. People believed witches could spoil a churn of butter with nothing more than a curse. If the butter refused to thicken, families didn’t blame technique, […]

1. Leech Collector In the 18th and 19th centuries, bloodletting was a common medical treatment, and leeches were in high demand. Leech collectors waded into marshes and ponds to catch them, often letting the slimy creatures attach to their legs

1. You Only Use 10% of Your Brain For years, teachers and even textbooks repeated the idea that humans only use about 10% of their brains. It sounded scientific enough to stick, and plenty of movies have run with the

1. Lawn Darts (a.k.a. Jarts) Backyard barbecues in the ’70s and ’80s often included a round of lawn darts, but these weren’t the lightweight plastic toys we see today. These darts were heavy, with sharp metal tips meant to stick

1. Centralia, Pennsylvania Centralia is one of the most famous ghost towns in America, and for good reason. In 1962, a coal mine fire accidentally ignited beneath the small town, and it’s been burning ever since. The smoke and toxic

1. Radium Water Back in the early 20th century, people believed that drinking radium-infused water would revitalize their bodies and give them boundless energy. It was sold as a kind of health tonic, and wealthy folks would pay top dollar

1. The Bell Witch Cave, Adams, Tennessee Tucked away in the woods of Tennessee, the Bell Witch Cave is said to be haunted by the vengeful spirit of the Bell family’s tormentor, Kate. According to local legend, she tormented the