During WWII, a research program tried to…

During WWII, a research program tried to train pigeons to guide missiles. Pigeons would follow the image, pecking at it, which would move the screen on its pivots. The program was shutdown, with the lead researcher stating:”Our problem was no one would take us seriously.” 10

In 1953, Swanson had 260 tons of leftover…

In 1953, Swanson had 260 tons of leftover turkey from Thanksgiving and didn’t know how to get rid of it. They asked their workers for ideas, and one man thought they should package it in individual trays with sides and freeze it. The TV dinner was born. 10

In the 1930s New York city planner Robert…

In the 1930s New York city planner Robert Moses deliberately built a number of bridges really low so that only cars could go under it – so as to prevent blacks (who mostly used public transport) from visiting New York’s ‘pristine’ beaches. 10

William Wrigley, Jr. sold soaps in 1891…

William Wrigley, Jr. sold soaps in 1891, offering baking powder as incentive to buyers. The baking powder proved to be more popular, so he started selling it, offering gum as incentive. But the gum proved to be even more popular, so he started selling them. In 1893, Juicy Fruit debuted. 10