1

Ford

Image: Ross Sokolovski

What is to say about Ford that hasn’t been said already? This omnipresent American car brand, founded by Henry Ford in 1903, is popularly known as the auto manufacturer responsible for putting America on wheels. Ford’s first car, the Model A , was assembled at a plant in Detroit.

The Model T was an affordable, reliable, and efficient vehicle . Within 10 years, half the cars in America were Model T’s. Ford created the world’s first moving assembly line for cars, which would change the industry forever. This invention allowed the company to produce one Model T in under thirty seconds.

2

Chevrolet

Image: Gary Sandoz

Another legendary brand, Chevrolet was founded in 1911, in Detroit, Michigan, by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant. Chevrolet introduced its first model, which was the Series C Classic Six and almost three thousand cars were sold the first year.

Chevrolet produced its one-millionth vehicle in the 1920s. In the late 1920s, Chevrolet surpassed Ford in sales, becoming the top seller of both cars and trucks. This position for first place went back and forth between the two brands over the years.

3

Jeep

Image: Kenny Eliason

A brand that was born strong, Jeep vehicles were first used in World War II as a reliable ride and then slowly made their way into the American non-military market. This brand is dubbed as a "Go anywhere, Do anything" kind of vehicle, owing to its sturdy frame and powerful engine.

Nowadays Jeep is popular among off-roaders and has several classic models in its roster, including the Wrangler, Cherokee, and Grand Cherokee, among others.

4

Dodge

Image: Dan Gold

Believe it or not, Dodge was a bicycle maker before being a car maker . The brand, established in 1900 dealt with bicycles in the first place and then started supplying car parts before deciding to get into the production of vehicles in 1914.

In the early 1920s, after the original founders passed away Chrysler bought the brand and continued producing successful cars, among them, the Ram, the Charger, the Caravan, and many others.

5

GMC

Image: todd kent

Another hugely successful American brand is GMC. The General Motor Truck Company came into existence in 1911. Over the years, the company started manufacturing large powerful vehicles including SUVs, vans, and a massive range of trucks. Popular GMC models include Acadia, Canyon, Sierra, Sienna, and Yukon among others.

6

Cadillac

Image: Sidney Pearce

The most famous luxury car in America, Cadillac owes its name to Antoine Laumet de La Mothe Cadillac, a French adventurer who discovered the city of Detroit. Believe it or not, passenger seats and an enclosed cabin were introduced for the very first time by Cadillac because, well, that was considered a luxury back then.

Some famous Cadillac car brands include the Camaro, Silverado, Tahoe, and Impala, among others.

7

Lincoln

Image: Arvin Dale

Other than Cadillac, most people would say Lincoln if asked for a luxury car brand, since this company is also a pioneer in this segment. This popular American car manufacturer started making luxury vehicles in 1917, at a time when the concept was not affordable for many.

Some classic Lincoln cars that are timeless to date include the Zephyr, the Town Car, the Mark LT, and the Navigator SUV. The latest SUVs popular among car enthusiasts include the Nautilus, MKC, Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair.

8

Tesla

Image: Tesla Fans Schweiz

Not many car brands have become so iconic in as few years as Tesla has and there is a simple reason for this: this American car brand revolutionized regular automobiles and made them electric . It had been done before, yes. But not with this level of success.

Tesla is a pioneer in reducing the carbon footprint of the environment with its electric vehicles. Many auto manufacturers are now following in Tesla’s footsteps. The revolutionary company unveiled its first creation called the Tesla Roadster in 2008.

9

Buick

Image: Mohammad Hoseini Rad

Buick is one of the oldest automobile brands in the world, having been founded in 1899. The company has a long history of producing high-quality, luxury, and performance-oriented vehicles and has been a part of General Motors since 1908.

In recent years, Buick has seen a decline in sales in the United States and has focused on the Chinese market where the brand has experienced success. Buick has shifted its focus towards producing more crossover and SUV models to meet the demand for larger vehicles in the current market.

10

Oldsmobile

Image: Hombre

Honoring its name, Oldsmobile, like the aforementioned Buick, was one of the oldest automobile brands in the United States, being founded in 1897. It initially gained popularity through innovations such as the first mass-produced car and the first automatic transmission.

In the mid-20th century, it was known for its performance and style, being a public favorite. However, by the late 1990s, Oldsmobile’s sales began to decline, leading to its discontinuation in 2004 as part of General Motors’ restructuring.

1

Tiger salamander

Image: Anastasia Pirri

Meet the tiger salamander—one of the largest terrestrial salamanders in North America. While its size is certainly impressive, the tiger salamander also has other traits that make it stand out. Take its appearance, for example: its dark brown body with bright yellow blotches resembles tiger stripes, which is why it has such a peculiar name. But there's more! Unlike many other salamanders, this one spends much of its time underground, using its large, powerful limbs to dig.

Fun fact: Some states, like Colorado and Kansas, have named it their official state amphibian!

2

Eastern Hellbender

Image: laura adai

Although the tiger salamander is impressively large, another salamander stands out for its huge size: the Eastern Hellbender.

Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis is its scientific name (quite a mouthful, right?). It holds the title of the largest salamander in North America. In fact, it's sometimes nicknamed "snot otter" due to its large body and the slippery texture of its skin.

3

Amphiuma

Image: Wolfgang Hasselmann

When you first see this creature, you might mistake it for a snake or an eel. But it's actually an amphibian—more specifically, an aquatic salamander known as the amphiuma. Its appearance, let’s just say, isn’t exactly what most would call "cute."

This unusual amphibian can grow up to 3 feet long! And while not immediately noticeable, it has tiny legs with only one, two, or three toes, depending on the species. Its limbs aren't very useful, but they do make the amphiuma look just a bit creepier.

4

Colorado River Toad

Image: Crystal McClernon

The Colorado River Toad may not be the cutest or most dazzling creature out there, but it's certainly one of the most fascinating. Native to the southwestern United States, this amphibian is one of the largest toads in North America, but what sets it apart isn't its size. So, while it may look slow and harmless, this toad is capable of releasing a dangerous, highly psychoactive toxin that acts as a defense mechanism and can be fatal to many species, including dogs.

5

Common Mudpuppy

Image: Tommy Bond

Now, it's time for an amphibian whose cuteness is one of its most distinctive features; even its name reflects that! We're talking about the Common Mudpuppy, an aquatic salamander that inhabits streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. It's also one of the few salamanders that remain fully aquatic throughout their entire life. And that’s precisely why it sports a pair of large, red external gills on the sides of its head, giving it an almost 16th-century European look!

6

Gray Tree Frog

Image: Aurora K

The small Gray Tree Frog inhabits the forests and woodlands of the eastern United States. And while it's true you might find it on trees and plants, its nickname isn't entirely accurate when it comes to color. Yes, it can be gray, but this amphibian has the ability to change its color to blend in with its surroundings! It also has another superpower: the ability to survive freezing temperatures. By producing a natural antifreeze, it protects its organs during cold conditions that most of us couldn’t begin to handle.

7

Spotted Salamander

Image: Kristina Kutleša

As its name suggests, what distinguishes the Spotted Salamander is its shocking look. But beware, its mottled appearance isn't just for show. It also acts as a warning to ward off predators! If you've ever seen one in the wild, consider yourself lucky because although it’s fairly widespread, this salamander spends most of its time underground.

8

Pacific Giant Salamander

Image: wallace Henry

If you venture into the mountainous regions of the Pacific Northwest, you might come face-to-face with the Pacific Giant Salamander, one of the largest terrestrial salamanders in North America.

Reaching up to 14 inches in length, this amphibian is striking to see—but it’s even more surprising when you hear it. That’s right: unlike most of its kind, the Pacific giant salamander can make audible barking sounds!

9

Barking Tree Frog

Image: José M. Alarcón

We have a contestant that could go head-to-head with the Pacific Giant Salamander in a barking contest: the aptly named Barking Tree Frog.

Let’s just say the frog’s striking features are perfectly summed up by its name. In states like Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, you can find this little amphibian calling from the treetops or near freshwater shores.

10

Dusky Gopher Frog

Image: Geraldine Dukes

Finally, we have the most mysterious and elusive of all: the Dusky Gopher Frog. As one of the rarest frog species in the U.S., the Dusky Gopher Frog is incredibly elusive and critically endangered, with fewer than 200 individuals left in the wild. The dusky frog spends most of its life hidden underground and only comes out during the mating season.

1

He secretly wrote under a woman's name

While most of today's teenagers are finishing high school and wondering what their first job might be, Benjamin Franklin was already writing newspaper columns under a secret identity .

At just 16, Franklin began writing a series of satirical letters to his older brother James’s newspaper, the New-England Courant in Boston. He wrote them under the name Silence Dogood, a fictional middle-aged woman who offered witty observations about colonial life, morality, and politics. But the public wasn’t the only one "fooled" by the writer. Franklin secretly slipped the letters under the printing-house door at night so his brother wouldn’t know who was behind them. James and his friends enjoyed the letters so much that they published them without realizing that their teenage apprentice was the author. Young Benjamin eventually revealed the secret, and according to historical sources, his brother was not amused.

2

He loved "air baths"

As a Founding Father, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Postmaster General of the United States, and U.S. ambassador to France, we know plenty about Benjamin Franklin’s public life, but much less about his everyday habits.

One of the strangest was what he called his "air baths." In a letter from 1768, Franklin explained that he disliked the shock of cold-water baths. Instead, every morning he would get out of bed, remove all his clothes, and sit by the open window of his bedroom for up to an hour while he read, wrote, and worked. He believed that exposing his body to fresh air helped keep him healthy. But what’s interesting is that, despite his dislike of cold water, he still bathed regularly, and later became a fan of warm baths after experiencing them while serving as ambassador to France .

3

He dropped out of school when he was 10

Despite being one of the most intelligent and well-educated men of his time, Benjamin Franklin left school when he was still a child.

Few people know that Franklin attended grammar school for only about two years before leaving formal education at around age 10 because his family could no longer afford to keep him in school. But neither his family’s financial hardship nor his lack of formal education held him back. He educated himself through extensive reading and writing, studied science and philosophy, learned French, Italian, Spanish, and German, and eventually pursued his passion for electricity. As a consequence, the boy who had left school at 10 went on to become one of the best-known intellectuals of his era.

4

He created a musical instrument that impressed Mozart

Along with famous inventions like the lightning rod and bifocal glasses, Franklin created several other inventions that fascinated people of his time.

One of the most unusual was the "glass armonica," a musical instrument he created in 1761 while living in London, England, made of spinning glass bowls that produced tones when touched with wet fingers. The instrument became a sensation across Europe. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was so impressed that he composed Adagio and Rondo for Glass Armonica, Flute, Oboe, Viola, and Cello (K. 617) for it in 1791, and Ludwig van Beethoven also wrote music for the instrument.

5

He became a French fashion icon

Intellectual, politician, writer, inventor: these are all words that describe Benjamin Franklin. But who would have thought he was also a fashion icon?

While serving as a diplomat in France from 1776 to 1785, Franklin embraced some French customs, but he also brought an American style to Paris. At a time when the French elite wore elaborate powdered wigs, Franklin often appeared in a distinctive fur cap , which helped create his image as the charming, rustic American sage. His look became such a sensation that Parisian women began wearing tall hairstyles inspired by his fur cap, a fashion known as the coiffure à la Franklin .

6

He adopted a vegetarian lifestyle

Writing for a newspaper under a female pseudonym wasn’t the only surprising thing Franklin did at age 16.

Around that time, he also decided to become a vegetarian, something quite unusual for a young man in the early 18th century. In his Autobiography , written from 1771 until shortly before his death in 1790, Franklin recalled reading a book by Thomas Tryon that promoted a "vegetable diet" and deciding to try it. He had two good reasons: first, he disliked the idea of killing animals for food, and second, eating less meat would save money for books . But the experiment wasn't long-lasting. About a year later, during a sea voyage, Franklin watched fish being caught and noticed that some of them were eating one another. He later joked that if fish could eat each other, perhaps he could eat fish, too, and he returned to eating meat.

7

He never actually patented an invention

Inventions were a huge part of Benjamin Franklin’s life, but he didn’t make money from them . And it wasn’t because he couldn’t; he simply didn’t want to.

Franklin never patented his inventions because he believed useful ideas should be shared freely for the general good. The lightning rod, bifocals, and Franklin stove could all have brought him money, but he chose not to claim exclusive rights to them. In fact, when Pennsylvania Deputy Governor George Thomas offered him a patent monopoly for his energy-efficient stove in 1744, Franklin politely turned it down.

8

He became a millionaire, but not from inventions

Born into a humble family, Benjamin Franklin went on to become a wealthy man , but not because of his inventions.

As we’ve seen, Franklin never patented his inventions, so he didn’t make money from them. Instead, his intelligence and business sense helped him build a fortune as a printer, publisher, and investor. His Poor Richard’s Almanack, published annually from 1733 to 1758, became hugely popular, selling roughly 10,000 copies a year. Over time, Franklin accumulated enough wealth to retire from active business while he was still relatively young.

9

He made his first invention at 11 years old

Although Franklin left school at 10 , his curiosity and ingenuity led him to create his first documented invention at just 11 .

Franklin loved swimming and was already a strong swimmer as a boy. Always looking for ways to improve, he carved two oval wooden paddles , about 10 inches long and 6 inches wide, with holes in the center for his thumbs. They worked: they literally made him swim faster. However, this wooden invention also left his wrists tired. And that was not all; he also experimented with strapped sandals for his feet , but abandoned them because they were clunky and ineffective. His early inventions, lifelong advocacy for teaching children to swim, and his famous 3.5-mile swim across the River Thames at age 19 helped earn him a posthumous induction into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1968 .

10

He helped create America's first volunteer fire company

Among the many things Benjamin Franklin helped create was America’s first formally organized volunteer fire company.

In the 1730s , rapidly growing Philadelphia was filled with wooden buildings and tightly packed homes. After a major fire at Fishbourne Wharf in 1730 caused thousands of pounds in damage, Franklin used The Pennsylvania Gazette to warn residents about fire hazards, famously writing, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." He believed Philadelphia needed a prepared team, not just bystanders with buckets. So, on December 7, 1736, Franklin and 24 local neighbors and business owners founded the Union Fire Company , widely recognized as America’s first organized volunteer fire company.