1. The Curse of King Tut’s Tomb When Howard Carter opened King Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, stories of a deadly curse spread like wildfire. Several people connected to the dig died under mysterious circumstances, including Lord Carnarvon, the financial backer, […]

1. Mercury Thermometers In the ’60s, just about every household had a little glass thermometer filled with shiny silver mercury. They were kept in medicine cabinets and used without a second thought. If one broke, parents might just sweep it

1. Bloodletting For centuries, doctors believed the body’s health depended on balancing its “humors,” and if you were sick, the solution was often to drain blood. Patients might have a vein opened with a blade or be fitted with leeches,

1. Potato Soup During the Great Depression, potato soup was a lifesaver for many families. Potatoes were cheap, filling, and easy to find, making them a go-to for stretching a small budget. People would simmer them with water or milk

1. Salt Pork Salt pork was a staple for sailors, soldiers, and rural families, but it wasn’t exactly a treat. It was essentially fatty pork belly packed in barrels of salt until it turned tough and briny, with a texture

1. McDonald’s Arch Deluxe In the mid-’90s, McDonald’s decided to branch out from its kid-friendly image with a burger aimed squarely at adults. The Arch Deluxe was marketed as a “sophisticated” option, complete with fancy mustard sauce and glossy ads

1. Knocking on Wood The idea of tapping on wood for good luck comes from ancient pagan cultures, especially the Celts, who believed that spirits and gods lived in trees. Knocking was thought to call on these protective beings for