Clouds are made of tiny droplets of this substance or small ice crystals floating in the air.
water
This element makes up about 78% of Earth’s atmosphere.
Nitrogen
This glowing adaptation helps deep-sea animals attract prey, mates, or avoid predators.
bioluminescence
Before streaming, this rectangular plastic item had to be rewound or you risked late fees.
VHS Tapes
This household debate centers on whether the roll should hang “over” or “under.”
Toilet paper orientation
This airy dessert is made fluffy by whipping egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Meringue
Ancient philosophers considered this one of the four classical elements, but modern chemistry defines it as a plasma created by combustion.
Fire
These underwater structures release mineral-rich, superheated water and support life without sunlight.
Hydrothermal Vents
This early internet sound meant you were about to wait several minutes to go online.
Dial-up modem noise
This fashion trend is praised for comfort and inclusivity but criticized as “giving up.”
These puffy clouds look like cotton balls and usually mean nice weather.
Cumulus Clouds
This element, atomic number 8, is essential for respiration and is the most abundant element in Earth’s crust by mass.
Oxygen
This enormous invertebrate inspired sea-monster myths and was first filmed alive in its natural habitat in 2004.
Giant Squid
Before emails and texts, messages were sent long-distance using this system of dots and dashes.
Morse Code
This pole experiences colder average temperatures and stronger winds due to its high elevation and landmass.
South Pole
This Italian cheese stays light and fluffy because it’s made from whey rather than curds.
Ricotta Cheese
This element is not found on the periodic table, yet it powers wind storms, ocean currents, and weather systems through energy transfer.
Air
This process allows coral reefs to grow by converting dissolved carbon dioxide into calcium carbonate skeletons.
Calcification
This invention dramatically increased literacy and information sharing in the 15th century.
Printing Press
This scientific term describes the slow wobble of Earth’s rotational axis that gradually shifts the exact location of the poles.
Axial Precession
This classic French dish dramatically rises in the oven due to trapped air and steam, then often collapses when cooled.
Soufflé
This element is the only one whose atoms can exist in two stable forms with different nuclear spin states at room temperature.
Hydrogen
This predator uses a glowing lure on its head to attract prey in total darkness.
Anglerfish
This children’s game device promised to raise a digital pet—or else face its pixelated demise.
Tamagotchi
Historians still debate the true motives and unanswered details surrounding this 1963 assassination.
Assassination of JFK