1

Potato chips

Back in 1853, a cranky diner in Saratoga Springs, New York, complained that his fries were too thick . Irritated, Chef George Crum sliced them paper-thin and fried them crisp to prove a point . To everyone’s surprise, the customer loved them.

What began as a moment of frustration turned into America’s favorite salty snack, inspiring an entire industry of chips and flavors.

2

Popsicles

In 1905, 11-year-old San Francisco native Frank Epperson accidentally left a cup of soda powder and water outside overnight, with a stick still in it. The next morning, it had frozen solid in the chilly air .

Epperson dubbed it the "Epsicle," which was later renamed the Popsicle. That childhood experiment became one of the most enduring summer treats.

3

Chocolate chip cookies

Ruth Wakefield ran out of baker’s chocolate when she was making traditional chocolate cookies at her Massachusetts inn, the Toll House, in the 1930s. She chopped up Nestlé chocolate snack bars instead . She expected them to melt evenly into the dough, but they stayed in chunks.

The warm, gooey results became an instant hit with her guests. Nestlé soon partnered with her to print the recipe on chocolate bar wrappers, and the rest is history!

4

Corn flakes

In 1898, the Kellogg brothers accidentally left cooked wheat, unprocessed wheat kernels simmered until tender, sitting out overnight at their Michigan sanitarium, where they promoted a healthy living based on vegetarianism, exercise, sunlight, and strict hygiene. By morning, it had gone stale, but when they rolled and baked it, the flakes came out crisp and tasty .

That happy mistake inspired a new breakfast idea: simple, wholesome, and ready to pour.

5

Coca-Cola

In one of the most profitable blunders of all time, Atlanta pharmacist John Pemberton was mixing a headache tonic in 1886 when he mistakenly blended his syrup with carbonated water instead of plain water .

Finding the result quite tasty, Pemberton opened a local soda fountain and found immediate success.

6

Cheeseburgers

In the 1920s, a teenage cook in Pasadena accidentally dropped a slice of cheese onto a sizzling hamburger . Instead of tossing it out, he served it to the customer.

The melted topping added a rich, savory twist that caught on fast. Soon, diners across America began adding cheese to burgers, helping to spread this classic.

7

Hard pretzels

One Pennsylvania baker in the 1800s left his soft pretzels in the oven too long, burning them to a deep brown . Expecting a disaster, he tried one and loved the unexpected crunch.

That overbaked batch became the first hard pretzel. The crispy, salty snack soon gained fans nationwide.

8

Slurpees

In the 1950s, a Kansas soda shop’s cooler broke down, freezing its drinks halfway . Instead of throwing them out, the owner sold the icy concoctions to curious customers.

They loved the slushy texture so much that he built a machine to reproduce it. The Icee — and later the Slurpee — turned an equipment failure into an omnipresent machine at every 7-Eleven.

9

Tortilla chips

In 1940s Los Angeles, a tortilla factory ended up with piles of leftover tortillas. Rather than waste them, workers cut them into triangles and fried them up .

The crunchy bites were a surprise hit. What started as a practical way to use scraps soon became a nationwide snack.

10

Tootsie Rolls

Crafty candy maker Leo Hirschfeld wanted to stretch his chocolate supply in 1896, so he experimented by blending in other ingredients such as sugar, corn syrup, and condensed skim milk . The texture turned chewy instead of smooth, but the flavor was rich and lasting.

He named it after his daughter’s nickname, "Tootsie." His thrift-born invention became a candy classic.

11

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Back in 1928, a former Hershey employee, H.B. Reese, was tinkering with leftover chocolate at home when he combined it with sweetened peanut butter . The unexpected pairing turned out to be a great-tasting treat.

His homemade experiment evolved into a small business, and later became a candy legend when Hershey acquired the brand.

12

Fudge

According to the popular story, a batch of caramel didn’t heat properly one night , and the cook sighed that it had been "fudged." The softer texture, however, turned out wonderfully creamy.

That tasty error spread quickly through American kitchens and college towns, becoming the classic dessert that it is today.

1

The Knack - "My Sharona" (1979)

Image: Nik Korba

Remember "Ooh, my little pretty one, pretty one…"? You probably do, as it's the opening line of a hit that revolutionized the charts in the '80s: "My Sharona." This iconic track by The Knack reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for six weeks! While the band had another fairly well-known song, "Good Girls Don't," they're far better remembered for "My Sharona," a song that even younger generations still recognize.

2

Sugarhill Gang – "Rapper's Delight" (1980)

Image: Gordon Cowie

This song wasn't just a hit; it became one of the first rap tracks to reach mainstream audiences, marking a turning point for a genre that was still in its early stages. While "Rapper's Delight" was The Sugarhill Gang's only song to reach the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, it undeniably secured a lasting place in music history.

3

Lipps Inc. - "Funkytown" (1980)

Image: Kaja Reichardt

The 1980s kicked off with a hit that quickly became one of the defining songs of the decade: "Funkytown" by Lipps Inc., a disco-funk studio group formed in Minneapolis. The track was a worldwide success, hitting #1 not only in the US but also in 28 other countries!

4

Tommy Tutone - "867-5309/Jenny" (1981)

Image: Dan Cristian Pădureț

Few phone numbers became as famous as the one in Tommy Tutone's hit "867-5309/Jenny." This '80s hit wasn't just played everywhere; it jumped off the radio and into real life, with people dialing the number across different area codes. At its peak, it was getting thousands of calls a day!

5

Toni Basil - "Mickey" (1982)

Image: Rajiv Perera

If you hit the dance floor in the '80s, chances are you clapped, jumped, and sang along to "Mickey" by Toni Basil. The choreographer and actress scored her one and only big hit with this track, which became one of the decade's most unforgettable anthems.

6

Norman Greenbaum - "Spirit in the Sky" (1969)

Image: Adi Goldstein

Norman Greenbaum experienced huge success with his 1969 song "Spirit in the Sky." The tune reached the US top 10 and even hit No. 1 in several other countries, but sadly, he didn't have another hit that matched its sensation. Have you sung along to it?

7

Starland Vocal Band- "Afternoon Delight" (1976)

Image: Belinda Fewings

It's time for some soft rock with "Afternoon Delight," a 1976 hit by Starland Vocal Band. Not only did this song reach number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, but it also earned the band a Grammy Award for Best New Artist! Unfortunately, none of their follow-up songs reached the same heights.

8

Wild Cherry - "Play That Funky Music" (1976)

Image: Dee.

Wild Cherry also ranks among the great one-hit wonders of the 1970s, even though they rose to fame in the decade's second half. This Ohio funk rock band became a sensation thanks to their song "Play That Funky Music," a track that totally dominated radio stations.

9

Vanilla Ice - "Ice Ice Baby" (1990)

Image: A J.

One of the songs that defined the '90s was "Ice Ice Baby" by rapper Vanilla Ice. While he had other songs, this was undoubtedly the track that propelled him to fame and became his signature hit. Its catchy beat also helped bring hip-hop to a broader audience, making it an iconic moment in music history.

10

Bobby Bloom – "Montego Bay" (1970)

Image: Assad Tanoli

Bobby Bloom was an American singer and songwriter, best known for his only hit, "Montego Bay," released in 1970. This upbeat tune reached the Top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 8. While Bloom didn't replicate this success as a performer, he enjoyed a prosperous career as a songwriter for other artists.

1

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Located about 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most isolated national parks in the country , accessible only by ferry or seaplane. About 99% of the park is water. Its main landmark is Fort Jefferson, a massive unfinished 19th-century coastal fort built with more than 16 million bricks.

Visitors often go for a day trip, but camping is available for those looking for an overnight experience. The park also offers snorkeling, swimming, and birdwatching.

2

White Sands National Park, New Mexico

White Sands National Park protects the world’s largest gypsum dune field, covering about 275 square miles in southern New Mexico. Here is the difference between gypsum and typical sand: the former does not absorb heat the same way, so the dunes remain relatively cool underfoot, even in hot weather.

The park is known for activities like dune sledding, hiking marked trails , and scenic drives through the shifting landscape. While its distance from major cities means it stays less crowded than others, the park is still easily accessible by car.

3

Big Bend National Park, Texas

Big Bend National Park covers more than 800,000 acres along the Rio Grande, which forms the natural border between the United States and Mexico. It’s one of the least visited national parks of its size, largely because of its remote location in southwest Texas.

Those who visit come for the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, hikes into Santa Elena Canyon, and some of the best stargazing in the country. The Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve, spanning over 15,000 square miles, is the world’s largest certified "Dark Sky," an area where light pollution is regulated to preserve wildlife, aid astronomical research, and allow visitors to enjoy a stunning night sky.

4

Pinnacles National Park, California

This national park might be one of the newest —it was designated in 2013—, but that doesn’t mean that its unique rock formations are recent. They were created by an ancient volcanic field that has shifted over millions of years.

The park is best known for its talus caves, one of the few places where you might spot the endangered California condor in the wild. Located about 80 miles southeast of San Jose, it’s relatively accessible but still far less crowded than parks like Yosemite .

5

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

This island sits on Lake Superior and is one of the least visited national parks in the United States, receiving only a small fraction of the visitors seen at major parks. It’s only accessible by ferry or seaplane, and has no roads or cars.

This makes it an ideal destination for hikers, backpackers, and kayakers. Keep in mind, though, that the park is only open from mid-April through October due to harsh winter conditions.

6

Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

Mammoth Cave National Park protects more than 400 miles of mapped underground passages . That makes it the longest cave system in the world —and scientists believe there are hundreds of miles left to be discovered.

Guided tours are available, ranging from easy walking routes to more physically demanding crawls. Even above ground, the park offers hiking, biking, and canoeing along the Green River.

7

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Voyageurs National Park is named after French-Canadian fur traders who once traveled these waterways. It is made up of nearly 40% water, with a network of interconnected lakes along the Canadian border. That means you can explore it by boat, kayak, or canoe.

Its isolation and lack of light pollution also make it ideal to enjoy gorgeous night skies —to gaze at the stars, the Milky Way, or even the Northern Lights.

8

North Cascades National Park, Washington

North Cascades National Park is one of the most glaciated areas in the contiguous US, with around 300 glaciers. Located about a three-hour drive from Seattle, it remains one of the least visited national parks, largely because it lacks the easy roadside viewpoints found in places like Yellowstone.

Its highlights include Diablo Lake and the Cascade Pass trail. Summer and early fall offer the best access, as many roads and trails are closed by snow in winter.

9

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Reserve, Alaska

Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve spans about 13.2 million acres. That means it’s larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Switzerland combined . The park includes some of North America’s tallest peaks, massive glaciers, and historic mining sites like the Kennecott Copper Mine. Most travelers can explore it via small aircraft, guided tours, or long-distance hiking trips.

10

Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

Petrified Forest National Park is known for its large deposits of petrified wood, trees that lived over 200 million years ago and have since turned to stone. The park also includes sections of the Painted Desert, with layered rock formations in shades of red, purple, and orange . It can be easily explored by car, with a scenic drive connecting major viewpoints and short trails.