Toys & Games
Originally designed as a naval training tool, this coiled toy became a household favorite after a Philadelphia engineer’s accident led to its mass production in the 1940s.
Slinky
Premiering in 1951, this sitcom was the first to be filmed in front of a live studio audience using a three-camera setup, a format that became the standard for decades.
I Love Lucy
First developed in the 1940s, this technology became widely used in the 20th century, allowing people to cook food in a fraction of the time.
Microwave Oven
Introduced in 1912, this cookie features two chocolate wafers with a creamy filling and remains one of the best-selling cookies in the world.
Oreo
This open-world sandbox game, first released in 2009, became the best-selling video game of all time, allowing players to build, explore, and survive in block-based worlds.
Minecraft
Originally patented in 1904 under the name The Landlord’s Game, this classic board game underwent several changes before Parker Brothers officially released it in 1935, leading to decades of debates over house rules.
Monopoly
This 1933 film, featuring stop-motion animation by Willis O’Brien, was a groundbreaking monster movie and included one of the most iconic scenes in film history—a giant ape climbing the Empire State Building.
King Kong
This home appliance, introduced in the 1920s, revolutionized how people stored perishable food, replacing iceboxes.
Refrigerator
This triangular, orange-colored chip, first released nationally in 1972, became a favorite snack and now comes in many flavors.
Doritos
Premiering in 2007, this popular Disney Channel series followed a teenager living a double life as an average girl by day and a famous pop star by night.
Hannah Montana
Designed by Toru Iwatani and inspired by the Japanese word "paku," which mimics the sound of eating, this 1980 arcade hit became the first video game to feature a protagonist with an evolving personality.
Pac-Man
Debuting in 1989, this animated sitcom was originally a series of shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show before becoming the longest-running American TV series of all time.
The Simpsons
This transportation breakthrough, introduced in 1908 by Henry Ford, made cars affordable for the average American.
The Model T
This instant meal, first introduced in 1958 in Japan, became a staple for college students and budget-conscious eaters.
Ramen Noodles
This viral toy, which became a playground sensation in the late 2010s, was originally designed to help people with ADHD and anxiety by offering a simple spinning motion.
Fidget Spinner
Although commonly associated with backyard gatherings, this game—first patented in 1953—has origins tied to a similar 14th-century activity where players aimed small bags filled with corn at a target.
Cornhole
Though now considered a classic, this 1955 Disney animated film was the first to be filmed in CinemaScope, a widescreen format that enhanced the film’s romantic storytelling and iconic spaghetti dinner scene.
Lady and the Tramp
This device, developed in the 1940s, was the first fully electronic, programmable computer, marking the beginning of the digital age.
ENIAC
This lunchbox favorite, introduced in the '90s, came with crackers, cheese, and meat, letting kids "build their own meal."
Lunchables
Premiering in 2005, this sitcom followed a group of friends in New York City as one of them narrated the story of meeting his future wife, often teasing the audience with red herrings.
How I Met Your Mother
Initially released with a green monochrome screen, this handheld console revolutionized portable gaming and cemented Tetris as a global phenomenon, despite its licensing battle involving multiple countries.
Gameboy
The highest-grossing film of 1994, this animated classic was heavily inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet and featured an original score by Hans Zimmer, earning an Academy Award for Best Original Score.
The Lion King
This company, founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, released one of the first personal computers, revolutionizing the industry.
Apple
This chocolate candy, first sold in 1941, was created to prevent melting in soldiers' hands during World War II.
M&Ms
Released in 2006, this Nintendo console introduced motion controls and became one of the best-selling gaming systems of all time, appealing to both casual and hardcore gamers.
Nintendo Wii
Originally developed as a promotional item for shoe polish, this game quickly became a party staple, despite concerns that its physical nature was “too risqué” for families when it debuted in 1966.
Twister
What camp counselor slaying horror icon was first introduced in 1980 and went on to star in eleven sequels?
Jason Voorhees
This portable music device, released by Sony in 1979 but gaining massive popularity in the 1980s, allowed people to listen to cassette tapes on the go.
The Walkman
What popular breakfast pastry outperformed Post's Country Squares?
Pop Tarts
First introduced by Starbucks in 2003, this blended coffee drink became a viral sensation, with seasonal flavors like Pumpkin Spice driving massive sales.
The Frappuccino
Originally marketed as a "drawing toy" in the 1960s, this invention used static cling technology to let children create and erase designs with a simple shake.
Etch-a-Sketch
"We're gonna need a bigger boat" is a line from what famous movie from the 70s?
Jaws
This innovation, introduced in the mid-1990s, revolutionized home entertainment by replacing VHS tapes with higher-quality digital discs.
The DVD
This soft drink, originally marketed as an energy booster, debuted in 1985 but flopped so badly that it became one of the most infamous product failures in history.
New Coke
This collectible toy craze from the late 2000s featured tiny, colorful plastic balls that transformed into battle-ready creatures when rolled onto magnetic cards.
Bakugan