On August 1, 1981—35 years ago today—MTV went on the air in a handful of cable system across the country. You probably know that the first video played was the Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star,” but did you know these behind-the-scenes stories from some iconic early music videos? “Money for Nothing” British band Dire […]
Sure, the “VHS era” ended more than a decade ago with the arrival of DVDs, and then streaming video, but now it’s official: the last VCR will roll off the assembly line in 2016. Here’s a look at some other big lasts in the world of VHS. The Last VCR By 2012, two companies still […]
Yet again the BRI asks—and answers—the question: Where does all this stuff come from? Tiki Bars The very first was Don the Beachcomber, opened in Hollywood in 1933 by Ernest Gantt, a bohemian who had traveled the South Seas and brought back all kinds of idols, masks, and other relics. He used them to decorate […]
Marni Nixon passed away this week at age 86. She sang in some of the most popular movies—especially musicals—of the all time. You’ve definitely heard her voice, but you probably don’t know her name or what she looks like. Here’s why. Born in California in 1930, Nixon was a classically trained soprano, boasting an incredibly […]
American politics is—for better or for worse—entrenched in a two-party system. But the Founding Fathers never even intended for there to be political parties. Here’s the first part of the story of how we got the Dems and the Repubs. This article was first published in Uncle John’s Political Briefs. Party Poopers For all the diversity […]
Here at the Bathroom Readers’ Institute, we like to keep you up to date on the all the latest breakthroughs in toilet technology. Here are some potties on the cutting edge of bathroom science. So fancy! Bathroom fixture company Kohler offers a model called the Numi. It’s loaded with features that turn using the facilities […]
Many of the top honors in the arts, sports, and the sciences are named after people. Here are the stories of the names behind the awards. JOHN HEISMAN Heisman coached football at Auburn, Clemson, and Georgia Tech in the 1890s and early 20th century. In the 1930s, he worked as athletic director at the Downtown […]
After the birth of North America’s first political party: the Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, the road was paved to create the two parties that we are most familiar with today: The Republican and Democratic parties. Here is how those to parties came to be. This article was first published in Uncle John’s Political Briefs. (Click here […]
Why are so many sports movies set in Michigan? Uncle John’s not sure, but he likes them. PAPER LION (1968) Could writer George Plimpton hack it as a football player with the Detroit Lions? He tried it once, for a story he was writing. This film is based on his experience at the Lions’ training […]
The U.K. recently voted to separate from the European Union, which prompted talks of Scotland and Wales leaving the U.K. to rejoin the E.U., and Northern Ireland also leaving to reform with Ireland. It’s just talk at this point, but it got us interested in the history of states in the U.S. that expressed interest […]
Uncle John has been collecting strange household hints and bizarre cleaning tips for years. He can’t promise that all of them actually work, only that they’re weird…and fun to read. Having a copper-polish emergency? Look in the fridge: Ketchup eliminates tarnish from copper. It’s really gross to find mealworms in your cereal bowl. Keep them […]
In terms of creative unhealthiness and being gut-busting calorie bombs, state fair food now ranks right up there with bizarre baseball park concession items. Here’s a look at the food items new to this year’s Minnesota State Fair—it’s no longer corn dogs and curly fries. Spam Sushi Spam is manufactured in Austin, Minnesota, and this […]
Marshall died this week at age 81. As one of the most prolific and successful TV producers and creators of all time, his presence looms large in television history. Garry Loves Chachi In 1982, Marshall’s show Happy Days spun off Erin Moran and Scott Baio’s newlywed characters into a new sitcom, Joanie Loves Chachi. Ever […]
With candidates in the two major political parties clinching their nominations, the political talk now turns to who will be selected as their running mates. But not everybody who’s asked to be a candidate will accept the offer. Here are some notable names who said no to the VP slot. Nelson Rockefeller Richard Nixon asked […]
In 1755, famed critic and writer Samuel Johnson released A Dictionary of the English Language. Compiled over a period of nine years, it became the standard English dictionary until Noah Webster released his in 1828. But it’s anything but “standard”—Johnson’s definitions are often witty, personal, subjective, and quirky. Politician: 1. One versed in the arts […]
24-hour cartoon networks and streaming video pretty much killed the Saturday morning cartoon. But for all of the classics like The Smurfs and Scooby-Doo to watch while you ate your sugar cereal, there are dozens more that came and went pretty quick…with good reason. Chip and Pepper’s Cartoon Madness (1991) In the early ’90s, twin […]
What’s a Kia? Or a Fiat? Here are the stories of how your car got its name. Alfa Romero The company began in Italy in 1910 as Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobil, or ALFA. Nicola Romeo bought the company in 1915 and added his name. Kia In Korean, the name means “rising from Asia.” Toyota Originally […]
Philately is one of the most popular hobbies around the world. Here are some truly bizarre finds that would be a great addition to any stamp collection. In 2004, Austria issued stamps bearing the image of a crystal swan—and the image is coated in actual crystals. They were made of paper and then a few […]
