Many kids have fond memories of playing around with Spirographs. These tools allowed even the most artistically deprived kids to create incredible and scientific-looking drawings. Although this 1960s toy looks like something invented to help children draw, it was actually created for a very different purpose.
This geometric drawing device was first invented by Peter Hubert Desvignes, an English architect and engineer, and these were used to help prevent banknote forgeries. How, you may ask? Because Spirograph drawings were extremely hard to recreate, as each one was based on the luck of the draw, thanks to the device’s roulette-based pattern.
This Was One of the First Fire Trucks That Provided Assistance at the September 11 Attacks
The entire world was drawn into chaos when the twin towers fell on September 11, 2001. As the towers were about to collapse, quick-reaction teams were sent to rescue as many people as they could. Many of these brave firefighters lost their lives while charging into the smoke-filled towers.
Ladder 3 was one of the first trucks to arrive at the scene. It was led by Captain Patrick Brown, who lost his and his men’s lives when the North Tower toppled on top of them and their truck. The truck was memorialized at the JFK International Airport for a full decade after the disaster. Since then, it has been moved into the Memorial Museum, where its remains serve as a reminder of the men's courage and bravery.
These Shoes were Used By Allied Spies During WWII
World War II was rife with intelligence operations, murder plots, and more. There was no internet back then, which meant that wars were still fought among enemy lines using various tricks. One of the most impressive and creative tactics employed by the Allies to counter the Germans was these reversed-sole shoes.
These shoes were absolutely brilliant, as they basically left tracks that led in the opposite direction. This is just one of many incredible ploys that were carried out during World War II and shows how creative people can get in survival situations. Allied spies used them to trick the Germans and make them lose their tracks.
These Designs of Pepsi Cans Over the Years - Starting in 1948
Everyone knows Pepsi, the carbonated soft drink manufacturer that was founded in the late 19th century. The company is estimated to be worth almost $20 billion and is Coca-Cola's largest rival to date. There is perhaps no better example of the changes that have occurred throughout the history of design than the modifications done to the Pepsi can’s appearance.
Back in the 50s, the beverage company's designs included various patterns and designs, but these were clearly ditched over the last two decades in favor of a solid color and logo. Like the cars of the '50s, people were once a lot more attracted to two-color designs with complex patterns. But much less so today.
This Skeleton Rocking Chair, Made in Russia More Than 250 Years Ago
Handcrafted rocking chairs have been selling for hefty prices over the centuries, but we can’t really see ourselves buying this one for any price. Imagine walking into your date's home for the first time and seeing this in the living room. You'd turn yourself around and BOLT.
This macabre rocking chair is shaped like a human skeleton. It was originally carved in Russia during the late 19th century and remains intact to this day. Various replicas of the skeleton rocking chair are made and sold today at highly affordable prices. We only hope these have not been sold to anyone we know.