1

Fact: Presidents can drive

Image: Jessica Furtney

It sounds fun to imagine the president taking the wheel for a spin around town, right? Maybe a quiet drive to clear their head or grab a meal in secret behind the tinted glass. But can they really do that?

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Answer: False

Image: Rolando Garrido

Presidents haven’t been allowed to drive on public roads since Lyndon B. Johnson, but they can still enjoy a little time behind the wheel inside fenced areas like Camp David or their own ranch. George W. Bush often drove around his property in Texas, with the Secret Service keeping a close watch, of course!

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Fact: Presidents can’t attend their kids’ plays or games

Image: Philip White

Yes, we know presidential tasks are of utmost importance, but we can all agree family moments matter just as much, even in the White House. So, do you think the president can really attend a school play or a kid’s soccer game?

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Answer: True

Image: Ludo Poiré

It’s true, they can’t unless it’s under very controlled conditions . Public outings cause too much security chaos, so these events usually happen privately. Some presidential kids even had classrooms right inside the White House so their parents could drop in for a visit without turning it into a national operation.

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Fact: Presidents can open the windows whenever they want

Image: Da-shika

Opening a window is one of the most innocent acts one can carry out, and surely, after long meetings and speeches, a little fresh air would be nice. Can the president roll down a window in the White House or a car?

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Answer: False

Image: Gabriele Proietti Mattia

That simple act is off-limits for security reasons , of course. Michelle Obama once said her security team gave her a five-minute "window treat" on a drive to Camp David, and it felt like freedom. The rest of the time, those windows stay shut tight.

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Fact: Presidents can’t use commercial airlines

Image: Shutr

You know Air Force One is specifically designed for the President, and you also know that every president travels constantly , but can they ever hop on a regular American Airlines flight like the rest of us?

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Answer: True

Image: avid Lusvardi

They absolutely can’t fly commercial, but they do take plenty of flights on Air Force One and Marine One. These aircraft are packed with communication systems , security measures, and comfort most travelers can only dream about. It’s safe to say they don’t miss boarding lines.

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Fact: Presidents can use regular gadgets from the store

Image: Azwedo L.LC

Whoever the president is, when they get to the White House, they already have a phone. So, they must be able to use regular phones . Or, for example, a brand-new iPhone or tablet seems harmless enough. Surely the president can pick one up and start scrolling. Do you think this is true or false?

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Answer: False

Image: Eirik Solheim

Standard devices aren’t secure enough. Presidents use specially modified versions that can’t be hacked. Barack Obama had a limited-access BlackBerry, and Joe Biden’s smartwatch and the Peloton were both customized for safety. Even the leader of the free world has tech limits.

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Fact: Presidents can block people on social media

Image: Swello

Alright, so a new president is in office, and they get a brand new secure phone. But with millions of online followers, it must be tempting to block a few loud voices . Surely the president has that right.

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Answer: False

Image: Daniel Romero

Nope. A federal court decided that official social media accounts are public forums , which means blocking users violates the First Amendment. Presidents have to let everyone speak their mind, even if the comments section gets a little rowdy.

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Georgia: No eating fried chicken with utensils

Image: Shourav Sheikh

In Gainesville, Georgia, it’s i llegal to eat fried chicken with a fork . This law, passed in 1961, was meant as a publicity stunt to promote the city’s status as the "poultry capital of the world."

While no one’s actually getting arrested for improper chicken consumption, a tourist was once jokingly "arrested" for breaking this law in 2009. If you visit Gainesville, just remember, fingers only!

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Alabama: No stink bombs or confetti

Image: Damiano Lingauri

If you love a good prank or enjoy tossing confetti at celebrations, Mobile, Alabama, is not the place for you. The city has made it illegal to possess or use stink bombs , "funk balls," and anything designed to create unpleasant odors.

That’s not all, confetti and spray string are also outlawed, so don’t plan any glittery parades. Mobile prefers its air fresh and its sidewalks clean. We cannot blame them!

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Arizona: No spitting in public

Image: Pete F

In Goodyear, Arizona, it’s not just bad manners to spit in public, it’s illegal. The law specifically bans spitting on sidewalks, roads, parks, and public buildings, and if you’re caught doing it, you could face a $2,500 fine or even six months in jail.

So, if you have a bad habit of spitting on the sidewalk , you might want to think twice before visiting Goodyear. Besides, it’s just gross!

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Louisiana: No crawfish theft

Image: Rasmus Gundorff Sæderup

Think stealing crawfish is a minor offense? Not in Louisiana! Swiping someone’s crawfish , especially if the value exceeds $1,500, is taken so seriously that it can lead to a $3,000 fine or up to ten years in prison.

So, next time you’re enjoying a seafood boil in the Bayou State, make sure you’re not swiping from someone else’s plate!

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Massachusetts: No dancing to the National Anthem

Image: Jeffrey F Lin

Patriotism is important, but nobody gets it like Massachusetts! In this state, a 1917 law makes it illegal to dance to the national anthem , though enforcing it would likely be a First Amendment nightmare.

It’s unclear why lawmakers felt the need to crack down on patriotic grooves, but to be safe, keep your hand over your heart and save the dancing for later!

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South Carolina: No working (or dancing!) on Sundays

Image: Jess Bailey

Did you know that in South Carolina, you may technically have an excuse to skip work on Sundays?

An old law still on the books prohibits working on Sundays , though it’s rarely enforced. Strangely enough, dancing is also banned on Sundays. If you were hoping for a weekend filled with productivity and footloose fun, you might have to sit this one out!

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North Dakota: No late-night fireworks

Image: Ray Hennessy

In Devil’s Lake, North Dakota, you can buy fireworks between December 26th and January 1st, but you can’t set them off after 11 p.m. What?

Let us explain: This law was originally passed for the millennium celebrations in 1999, but it’s still on the books today. Are you planning to ring in the New Year with a bang? Make sure you light those fireworks early or risk breaking the law!

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Montana: No "folf" allowed

Image: Oskar Kadaksoo

Montana’s wide-open spaces might seem perfect for throwing a Frisbee, but in Helena, playing Frisbee golf (also known as "folf") outside of designated areas is illegal.

If you get caught, you could face a $500 fine or even six months in jail. Where are all these weird laws coming from, anyway?

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Indiana: Black cats must wear bells on Friday the 13th

Image: Andreea Popa

Are you superstitious? You’ll love this one. In French Lick Springs, located in Indiana, black cats must wear bells around their necks on Friday the 13th.

This law was introduced in 1939 as a "war measure" to reduce stress among the public. While it’s unlikely anyone enforces this rule today, it’s still an amusing nod to old-school superstitions!

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Hawaii: No billboards allowed

Image: Dennis Maliepaard

Ever notice that Hawaii’s landscapes are free of massive billboards ? That’s because billboards are banned statewide! The law, dating back to 1927, is part of an effort to preserve the state’s natural beauty.

Hawaii is one of the few places in the US where advertisements don’t compete with breathtaking ocean views. Now, that’s a law we can all enjoy!

1

The light bulb

Image: Zach Lucero

Delivering electricity to the masses was one of the greatest technological advances in human history. The mid-1800s saw great competition in this area, as inventors around the world raced to invent their own electric light. The first filament bulb was developed by British inventor Warren de la Rue in 1840, but his use of a platinum filament made it expensive and impractical.

A few years later, Joseph Swan in the UK and Thomas Edison in the US each independently invented bulbs using cheaper elements. However, Edison received a patent on his bulb in early 1880, slightly before Swan. The light bulb, an invention that quickly reached every home, revolutionized life around the world, led to the development of the electrical grid, and set the stage for our modern electricity-dependent society.

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The telephone

Image: viarami

In this modern era of emails and text messages, it can be hard to appreciate that the telephone was once revolutionary. The telegraph, the phone’s predecessor, only transmitted brief written messages. The telephone, however, allowed people to speak with one another in real time over long distances.

Inventor, scientist, and engineer Alexander Graham Bell invented the electric telephone in 1876. Although Bell was Scottish-born and also lived in Canada, he patented his invention in the US . The telephone was a game-changing technology that improved business efficiency, enabled instant global connections, and allowed emergencies to be reported as they occurred. It effectively made the world more connected and faster-paced.

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The fire escape

Image: Lewis J Goetz

When we think of US inventions, the first things that come to mind are usually the light bulb or the telephone. But did you know that the modern fire escape was also a US innovation? Designed in 1887, this simple yet life-saving invention changed building safety forever.

In the late 1800s, fires were devastating cities across America. One woman, Anna Connelly, saw this horror up close and decided to do something about it. She designed an external iron staircase system, and in 1887, she patented it. At a time when women couldn’t even vote, Anna’s invention became a safety standard in most major cities, saving thousands of lives. Today her name is barely known, but next time you see a fire escape, remember the woman who made them possible.

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The cash register

Image: Di Du

The first mechanical cash register for calculating and recording sales transactions was invented by saloonkeeper James Ritty following the American Civil War. He was looking for a way to stop cashiers from stealing, and finally patented his novel invention in 1879.

When a transaction was completed, Ritty's Incorruptible Cashier made a bell sound, and the amount was displayed on a large dial on the front of the machine. During each sale, a paper tape was hole-punched so the vendor could keep track of sales. Pretty ingenious, don’t you think?

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Interchangeable parts

Image: gayulo

Standardized interchangeable parts for machines are now a staple of modern manufacturing, but it’s not a new idea. There’s evidence that thousands of years ago, ancient Carthage used them to build warships, and ancient China applied the idea to crossbows. Many centuries later, French experimentation with interchangeable musket parts inspired Thomas Jefferson.

In 1798, President George Washington and his Congress finally agreed to Jefferson’s idea of implementing the technology in America. They awarded a contract to Eli Whitney—the inventor of the cotton gin—to supply the government with 20,000 muskets. Whitney recognized the potential of developing firearms with identical parts and mechanisms. His advancements in interchangeable parts laid the foundation for modern manufacturing, enabling improved quality control, reduced costs, and faster production of goods.

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The assembly line

Image: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

For most of human history, manufactured goods were custom-made. Every model of a machine, piece of clothing, or tool was unique. The development of interchangeable parts was a huge advancement, but automobile manufacturer Ransom Olds took it a step further with the assembly line in 1901. By standardizing and automating many aspects of manufacturing, uniform goods could be created faster and at lower costs.

Olds’ vehicle, the Oldsmobile Curved Dash, became the first mass-produced car . His method was later adopted and perfected by Henry Ford, whose moving assembly line for the Model T in 1913 revolutionized manufacturing. Today, the assembly line combines human labor and automation to produce nearly every mass-market product on Earth. Many experts agree it was one of the most significant technological developments of the 20th century.

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The airplane

Image: Wright Brothers, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

People have always observed birds and insects and dreamed of flying. The Greeks told the story of Icarus and Daedalus, who crafted wings of wax and feathers; Leonardo da Vinci sketched and theorized flying machines, but it wasn’t until 1903 that the airplane became a reality in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Wilbur and Orville Wright experimented with aeronautics for several years before achieving their successful first flight. A few years later, airplanes were first used in warfare. Within seven decades, their technology evolved and took us to the Moon. Today, the airplane is an indispensable technology that allows us to transport goods and people around the world in no time.

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GPS

Image: Stanislav Kondratiev

It’s hard to imagine life without GPS—but do you know how it began? When the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957, American physicists realized they could track the satellite’s radio transmissions using the Doppler effect.

Soon after, the U.S. military began testing and launching the Navstar Global Positioning System satellites. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan approved GPS for civilian use, and by the start of the 21st century, GPS devices were widely available in vehicles and mobile phones . Today, GPS is an essential technology for business, travel, and military operations.

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Personal computers

Image: Unidentified U.S. Army photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The first electronic general-purpose computer, ENIAC, was built in 1946 at the University of Pennsylvania. It occupied 1,800 square feet of floor space and weighed 30 tons. At the time, imagining a consumer-grade computer small enough to fit in every home would have seemed impossible. Yet, just one generation later, the impossible became reality.

Over the years, computers became smaller, cheaper, and more powerful than the ENIAC’s creators could have imagined. In 1971, John Blankenbaker developed the first PC, the Kenbak-1. Fifty years later, it is clear that personal computing has fundamentally shaped the modern world.

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The internet

Image: Lorenzo Herrera

Revolutionary technologies such as the wheel, the internal combustion engine, the telephone, and the airplane have forever changed the way we travel and communicate. The internet is no exception; it gives people access to the entirety of human existence with just a few clicks.

In 1969, computer scientists at the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) created the first network connecting labs at UCLA and Stanford. Over time, their network expanded, connecting anyone with a device. Since then, the internet has revolutionized the way human beings access resources and share information.

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E-mail

Image: Brett Jordan

After the personal computer and the Internet, we only needed to invent a modern method of sending messages and letters to each other. The Advanced Research Projects Agency Network, known as ARPANET, sent the first email in 1971. Within five years, the majority of exchanges within the ARPANET community were via email.

With the introduction of attachments in the early 1990s, electronic mail became the fastest and easiest way to send information from point to point. By the start of the 21st century, email enabled people around the world to communicate quickly and inexpensively, and the technology quickly became one of the primary tools for global communications.

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Magnetic resonance imaging

Image: MART PRODUCTION

The impact of the MRI machine on medicine is invaluable. The principles behind nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) have been known since at least the end of World War II. Yet, two researchers in the late 1960s and early 1970s recognized the potential of this technology to revolutionize medicine forever.

American chemist Paul Lauterbur and physician Raymond Damadian separately experimented with NMR in scanning for cancer cells. After publishing the promising results of their experiments, a patent was filed. By 1977, the first full-body scanner was developed. Since then, millions of lives have been saved by the MRI machine. For his contributions, Lauterbur was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2003.