1. Corn Flakes Corn flakes might seem like a health-conscious breakfast choice, but their origin is anything but intentional. In the early 1900s, John Harvey Kellogg and his brother Will accidentally left some cooked wheat sitting out too long, and […]

1. Snacktime Cabbage Patch Kid At first glance, the Snacktime Cabbage Patch Kid looked like any other adorable ‘90s doll. It had a motorized mouth that could “chew” plastic snacks, which sounded like fun—until kids started getting their fingers and

1. Penmanship Once upon a time, kids actually had to take a whole class just to practice their handwriting. Not cursive as a side note in English class, but actual lessons where teachers graded the loops in your L’s and

1. Talking to Strangers in Line In many parts of the U.S., striking up a conversation while waiting in line is totally normal. Whether it’s small talk at the grocery store or chatting with someone at the post office, Americans

1. Lard Back in the day, a big tin of lard sat proudly on many kitchen counters, ready to be scooped into a cast iron skillet for frying just about everything. From crispy fried chicken to flaky pie crusts, lard

1. Fanny Packs Back in the ’80s, fanny packs were a must-have accessory for any schoolkid. These handy little bags allowed you to carry your essentials while keeping your hands free for more important things—like trading stickers or trying to

1. Talking Loudly in Public Spaces Americans aren’t necessarily trying to be rude when they speak loudly, but it’s a habit that can turn heads abroad—and not in a good way. In many countries, especially in Europe and parts of