BUSINESS

Thomas Edison, awaiting a ghostly phone call.

35 Lesser-Known Inventions of Famous Inventors

Henry Ford’s car made of soybeans and Thomas Edison’s ghost-detecting telephone are just two little-known creations of history’s most famous inventors.

The Cryptic Case of Ambrose Small, Missing Millionaire

In 1919, Canadian businessman Ambrose Small cashed a check for 1 million dollars. Hours later, he vanished.

Just try not to get the bottoms all wet.

A Brief History of JNCO Jeans

When were JNCO jeans popular and how did they come to be? Discover more about the history of these ultra wide-legged pants and why they were created in the first place.

Turner and Crawford once went head-to-head.

When Lana Turner Came for Joan Crawford's Crown as Queen of Hollywood

Glamour girl Lana Turner and gangster Mickey Cohen were both young and hungry. Each wanted to take over the Hollywood movie studios and the crime ridden streets of Los Angeles, but Lana and Mickey had two major obstacles standing in their way.

Retro Pepsi-Cola logos from the mid-20th century.

Pop Star: How Pepsi Got Its Name

Pepsi-Cola was named for two ingredients that it doesn't (and possibly never did) contain.

The origins of Taco Tuesday are surprisingly complicated.

The Surprisingly Contentious Origins of Taco Tuesday

The phrase “Taco Tuesday” has finally entered the public domain (unless you’re in New Jersey).

She's probably spent the last 20 minutes listening to the same fuzzy song on a loop.

Why Hold Music Is So Annoying

There are some psychological reasons why being put on hold is such a frustrating experience.

The Board Game Trial of the Century

After Ralph Anspach created an anti-monopoly game, he ended up in the middle of a controversial patent case with Parker Brothers over the history of ‘Monopoly’ itself.

An Edison phonograph exhibit with a talking doll in Paris, 1889.

Listen to Thomas Edison’s Eerie Talking Dolls Speak After More Than a Century of Silence

Modern technology has helped these dolls find their voices—and when they speak, it’s downright creepy.

Hopefully this kid washed his hands before returning to his fries.

Rough Play: The Dirty and Dangerous History of McDonald's PlayPlaces

Following a string of PR nightmares, McDonald's began quietly removing its PlayPlaces in the 2000s.

RIP: Fruit Stripe Gum Is Being Discontinued After More Than 50 Years

In a blow to lovers of gum with shockingly short flavor bursts, Fruit Stripe is set to bite the dust.

Sam's Club shoppers can now make a quick exit.

Exit Strategy: Sam's Club Will Stop Checking Your Receipt at the Door

The warehouse club is eliminating the indignity of getting stopped at the exit.

How to Use Your Own Cup for Starbucks Drive-Thru and Mobile Orders

You no longer have to order at the Starbucks counter in order to use your own cup.

Astronaut Kellie Gerardi conducts research aboard the Virgin Galactic spacecraft.

“Humanity’s Next Giant Leap”: Citizen Astronaut Kellie Gerardi Envisions the Future of Spaceflight

Bioastronautics researcher Kellie Gerardi envisions a future when space is open to all.

Meet Leatrice Eiseman: The Woman Who Chooses Pantone’s Color of the Year

The Pantone Color Institute’s global team of experts conducts color psychology research and discusses potential Color of the Year options year-round.

Hershey Kisses Christmas Commercial 2021

7 Classic Christmas Commercials Guaranteed to Fuel Your Holiday Nostalgia

Hershey's Kisses’s “Christmas Bells” is one of the longest-running Christmas commercials.

IKEA’s 10-Pound Meatball Belongs on Your Holiday Menu

Lingonberry jam and cream sauce are included, naturally.

Cosmc, a Forgotten ‘80s McDonald’s Character, Is Getting a Restaurant Chain

The six-armed alien has come back to Earth with a menu full of energy-boosting drinks and snacks.

7 Alleged Pyramid Schemes and Scams

These companies were accused (and sometimes convicted) of engaging in alleged pyramid schemes and other scams.

Red Lobster's shrimp deal has gone awry.

Red Lobster Reports $11 Million in Losses Because Customers Are Eating Way Too Much Unlimited Shrimp

The seafood giant promised patrons as much shrimp as they could eat. It turns out they could eat a lot.

The Truth About Olive Garden’s “Unlimited“ Breadsticks Deal

Olive Garden makes good on its promise of unlimited breadsticks, but the deal does come with some unpublicized caveats.

(It might have something to do with sick days.)

How Did Black Friday Get Its Name?

The day after Thanksgiving, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, has a rather sinister label: Black Friday. How did that happen?

Black Friday means shopping deals galore.

A Brief History of Black Friday

It’s the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season, but where did this tradition start? And just how big is it?

You can get all this (and more) with the purchase of a $3 keychain.

A $3 Keychain Will Get You Unlimited Free Frostys From Wendy’s in 2024

For just $3, you can enjoy a free Frosty with every Wendy's purchase you make for a year.

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