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Symbolism and the $1 Bill

Crack open your wallet, pull out everyone's favorite portrait of George Washington, and be prepared to learn about some odd symbolism that probably seemed perfectly normal in the 18th century. Here are the explanations behind some of the more baffling parts of our nation's smallest bills. What's that weird pyramid drawing on the reverse of the bill? The two circular drawings on the reverse of the bill are actually parts of the two-sided Great Seal of the United States.... READ ON

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Is Internet Gambling Legal?

by Eric... READ ON

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13 Former Ad Men Who Found Fame in Other Fields

Before AMC's celebrated series Mad Men makes its hotly anticipated return to our televisions on Sunday night, we thought we'd take a look at some real life Don Drapers who went on to find fame in other fields. Here are a few famous folks who got their starts penning slogans and writing jingles: 1. James Patterson The thriller writer's sales numbers are just staggering. Thirty-nine of his books have made the New York Times bestseller list, including a string of 19 consecutive... READ ON

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The Secret Inner Workings of Netflix

The economy is stagnant and many businesses are struggling to stay afloat, yet Netflix consistently shows a profit. Well, what better way to temporarily take your mind off of job hunting and bill paying than to watch a movie? And if that movie is delivered right to your mailbox so that you don't even have to get dressed to retrieve it, that's just icing on the cake. But where exactly do those Netflix DVDs come from? How do they get to your home so quickly? These questions and more are... READ ON

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Get Rich Quick: 6 People Who Accidentally Found a Fortune

We've all been there—a week until payday, the rent is due, and you're rummaging in your parents' attic to find Dad's Mickey Mantle rookie card. If you're in need of some quick cash, here are six stories of people who found a fortune when—and where—they least expected it. 1. Lose a Hammer, Find a... READ ON

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The White House Gift Guide: 13 Unique Presidential Gifts

President Barack Obama turns 48 on Tuesday. While the First Family encourages you to send contributions to your favorite charity in lieu of the White House, if you insist on doing some last-minute birthday shopping for 44, you might consider a pair of jeans or a case of Bud Light. For some historical precedent, here's a look back at some of the more interesting presidential gifts. 1. George W. Bush: Raw... READ ON

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5 Special Ways to Fly

No self-respecting canine travels to a luxurious spa in the cargo bay of a 757, so it was only a matter of time before an airline that caters exclusively to pets arrived. Here's the story of recently launched Pet Airways and four other companies that provide specialty air travel. 1. Pet... READ ON

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5 Things You Can Use if You Run Out of Cash

Civilizations have been creating currencies since the dawn of history. A pure barter system always has deficiencies, not least of which is transporting goods over mountains, through valleys, and across oceans. Think of the human effort involved in a simple transaction—not to mention the manure abatement fees—on ox-drawn wagons. So, to make transactions a bit simpler, almost all civilizations have come up with currencies. 1.... READ ON

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7 Dangerous Toys Kids Today Are Missing Out On

Looking back, it's pretty miraculous that I've lived to be as old as I am. When I was born, my mom brought me home from the hospital in her arms, not a car seat. The playground equipment at my elementary school was surrounded by asphalt, not mulch or woodchips. Bicycle helmets were strictly for Evel Knievel, and seat belts were an expensive option on most cars. The toy industry only fueled our penchant for danger; take a look at some of these commercials: 1. Sixfinger My younger brother... READ ON

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The Rand Corporation: The Think Tank That Controls America

By Alex Abella If you think the Internet came out of Silicon Valley, that NASA planned the first satellite to orbit Earth, or that IBM created the modern computer—think again. Each one of these breakthroughs was conceived at RAND, a shadowy think tank in Santa Monica, California. The Intimidation... READ ON