1

Young inventor

Image: Randy Fath

Although we all know that Edison was an inventor -and one of the best- very few know that his passion was already loudly expressed at the young age of 10.

At that age, while other children were naturally playing ball in the park, Edison was already interested in chemistry, physics, mathematics, and electricity. At 12, he set up his first laboratory in the basement of his parents' house, where he began to do his first experiments! Some stories claim that explosions in the basement were more frequent than their parents would have liked.

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Self-taught

Image: Nicola Tolin

Edison's educational path was very different from the one many of us probably had. In fact, Edison had almost no formal education.

Thomas Edison attended school for only a few months. Due to some hearing problems he developed as a child, his mother decided to homeschool him, teaching and encouraging him, which awakened his impressive curiosity and appetite for knowledge.

By the time he was a preteen, he was already an autodidact. This fact was crucial on his way to becoming one of our country's most important inventors.

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Young entrepreneur

Image: Jingda Chen

The young Edison was not only curious and intelligent; he was also an entrepreneur.

When he was just a boy of 12, he sold snacks, candy, cigars, magazines, and newspapers on the Grand Trunk Railroad. From that age, he displayed a determined character, which enabled him to raise money for his experiments.

But his ambition was so strong that he started his own newspaper, the Grand Trunk Herald. That's right! Little Edison assembled and printed his newspaper and sold it to passengers and people who frequented the train stations.

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Hero

Image: Sugden Guy sugden

Did you know that Edison was also a hero? That's right!

In fact, we could say that his act of heroism as a teenager was the event that started his great career. By the age of 15, Edison was working and traveling on the Grand Trunk Railroad, where he became close to a station master and telegraph officer. One day, Edison spotted the station master's two-year-old son playing on the tracks as a train sped toward him. Without hesitation, he jumped and rescued the child.

The boy's father was so grateful that he offered to teach Edison how to use the telegraph system. And what do you think? He accepted immediately!

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Marriages

Image: Fernando @cferdophotography

Between labs and experiments, Thomas Edison also had time for love.

Thomas Alva Edison married twice in his life. His first wife was Mary Stilwell Edison, whom he married in 1871. Mary and Thomas had three children. Sadly, she passed away in 1884 after 13 years of marriage.

His second marriage was in 1886 to Mina Miller Edison. With her, Edison had three more children. As it couldn't be otherwise, it's said that Edison asked Mina to marry him in a rather peculiar way: he proposed using Morse code!

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His children's nicknames

Image: Sandie Clarke

Thomas Edison's creativity was evident in everything he did, and there's an anecdote that exemplifies this perfectly.

The inventor's passion and humor blended and resulted in fun and loving nicknames for his first two children. As we told you, by 1876, Edison already had two children from his first marriage. They were Marion and Thomas Jr., whom Edison called "Dot" and "Dash," respectively. Yes, you got it: it was a reference to Morse code!

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First phonograph recording

Image: Call Me Fred

As you probably know, in 1877, Thomas Edison introduced the phonograph. It was the first device capable of recording and reproducing sound!

As a result of his experiments, this device completely changed the history of communication. But what did the first recording made with the phonograph say?

Edison made a cute choice for his first recording: a recitation of the beloved nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb." That was the first time in history that anyone heard a previously recorded voice!

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His work team

Image: The National Library of Norway

It seems that Edison had a tendency for affectionate nicknames and monikers.

Edison didn't reserve nicknames just for his children; he also gave them to the members of his large staff. Many people worked in Edison's famous laboratory at Menlo Park, which he referred to as his "invention factory." Engineers, scientists, technicians, and people with different kinds of expertise gathered there to help make the great inventor's ideas possible. Edison affectionately referred to them as his "muckers," a nickname that shows not only his sense of humor but also his strong team spirit.

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His health

Image: Dan Meyers

One of the best-known aspects of Edison's health was his hearing loss when he was very young. Contrary to what one might think, Edison stated that this fact didn't negatively affect his career development. In fact, he believed it helped him focus and dedicate more time to his inventions and discoveries.

However, as an adult, he developed some other health problems. Some sources suggest that Edison's habits, including long hours in the lab and a poor diet, contributed to health issues like heart problems and diabetes.

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His last words

Image: Jonathan Borba

Edison's life was full of adventures, discoveries, love, and many other things. The American inventor didn't abandon his creativity even when it was time for him to leave this world.

It's said that, at the age of 84 on his deathbed, Thomas Edison looked at his wife, Mina, and uttered the words, "It's very beautiful over there."

While it's difficult to make a unique interpretation of these nice and calm words, their poetic and inspirational character is undeniable.

1

Before bargains, there were stock market crashes

Image: Kelly Sikkema

Long before Black Friday meant shopping sprees, it had a gloomier vibe. Back in the late 1800s, the term was used to describe major stock market crashes . Imagine a Wall Street meltdown, and you’ll get the picture.

One infamous event occurred in 1869 when a financial fiasco involving gold prices rocked the country. While the term’s meaning has flipped over the years, its history isn’t always as rosy as a holiday ad. Thankfully, these days, "Black Friday" is more about spending than stressing—well, unless you’re in line at 5 a.m.!

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From Santa Claus to shopping sprees

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Before malls opened at dawn and websites crashed under traffic, Black Friday was all about parades —specifically, Santa Claus parades! The tradition began in the early 1900s, with department stores like Macy’s sponsoring grand events to usher in the holiday season. These parades were a spectacle of floats, marching bands, and, of course, jolly old St. Nick.

Over time, the day became synonymous with shopping as stores started offering sales to parade-goers. So, if you’ve ever wondered why Santa and Black Friday seem so intertwined, it all started with a parade and a clever marketing move.

3

The plumber’s busiest day

Image: Unseen Histories

Here’s a fun (and slightly gross) fact: Black Friday is a goldmine for plumbers. Why, you may ask? Well, Thanksgiving feasts often lead to… let’s call them plumbing emergencies . From overloaded garbage disposals to bathroom backups, plumbers are busier than ever on this day. In fact, many in the industry refer to it as "Brown Friday" (we don’t need to explain that one to you!). It’s not the most glamorous Black Friday gig, but someone has to do it!

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Why Thanksgiving got a time-out

Image: Iga Palacz

Did you know that Thanksgiving wasn’t always on the fourth Thursday of November? Back in 1939, retailers panicked over a shorter holiday shopping season, so President Franklin D. Roosevelt decided to push Thanksgiving back by a week to give everyone more time to shop .

The change caused quite an uproar, with people dubbing it "Franksgiving." Eventually, Congress stepped in and settled on the date we know today. So, next time you’re enjoying leftovers and plotting your Black Friday buys, thank FDR for the extra shopping days.

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"Big Friday" was a big flop

Image: 愚木混株 cdd20

In 1961, officials in Philadelphia tried to give Black Friday a friendlier spin by renaming it "Big Friday." The reason? Local police were fed up with the day’s chaotic traffic and crowds . Unfortunately, the new name didn’t catch on; after all, "Black Friday" had a certain dramatic twist. Over time, the term stuck, and its connotations shifted to something more positive. But can you imagine telling friends, "I’m gearing up for Big Friday sales"? It doesn’t have the same charm, does it?

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When Saturday stole the spotlight

Image: Kelly Sikkema

Believe it or not, Black Friday wasn’t always the reigning king of shopping days. For decades, the Saturday after Thanksgiving held that title . Can you guess why? Many people preferred to relax on Friday before diving into the holiday hustle. That would be our choice if you asked us!

It wasn’t until the early 2000s, when retailers began offering jaw-dropping deals, that Black Friday took the crown. Long live the king!

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The global spread of Black Friday

Image: Kelsey Knight

Black Friday isn’t just an American obsession anymore—it’s gone global! Over 15 countries, including Canada, the UK, and even Brazil, have embraced the tradition of post-Thanksgiving sales.

Even if some places don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, they’ve adopted the shopping frenzy with open arms. After all, a good bargain is a universal language. So, if you find yourself traveling during the holidays, don’t be surprised to see Black Friday signs in unexpected places.

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Thanksgiving evening: The new Black Friday

Image: Libby Penner

In 2011, Walmart threw tradition out the window by opening on Thanksgiving night. This controversial move kickstarted the trend of retailers starting sales earlier and earlier . While some loved getting a head start, others missed the old-school thrill of early-morning Black Friday madness.

In any case, it marked a significant shift in how we approach holiday shopping. These days, "Black Friday" often feels more like "Black Thursday Night," but hey, nobody’s complaining about the extra deals.

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Contactless is the new black

Image: SumUp

Black Friday shoppers are going cashless in droves; 53% of people prefer using contactless payments when hitting the stores . Are you one of them? With just a tap, you’re out the door, deal in hand—no fumbling for change or wrestling with a wallet while juggling bags! Meanwhile, 30% of shoppers admit they’re not too comfortable using cash anymore. And can you blame them? Between convenience and hygiene, contactless is clearly the king of modern shopping. Which method do you prefer?

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Shopping under the influence

Image: Douglas Lopez

Here’s a fact that might make you chuckle: about 12% of Black Friday shoppers admit to hitting the stores—or their keyboards— after a drink or two . Maybe it’s leftover wine from Thanksgiving, or perhaps it’s liquid courage for battling the crowds.

Either way, some of those impulse buys might be less about bargains and more about buzzed decision-making. So, if you’ve ever woken up to a mysterious order confirmation, you’re not alone! Black Friday shopping is wild enough; add wine, and it’s a whole new adventure!

1

A rivalry becomes a business success

During the Great Depression, Harland Sanders ran a humble Shell station in Corbin, Kentucky. Back then, business was cutthroat, and Sanders found himself in a bitter feud with Matt Stewart, a rival gas station owner who kept painting over Sanders’ highway signs to redirect traffic. After several warnings went unheard, Sanders marched over to confront Stewart.

When Stewart was caught in the act, a physical confrontation quickly escalated. Stewart drew a pistol and shot a Shell manager who was accompanying Sanders, killing him on the spot. Sanders retaliated by firing back and wounding Stewart, who was later arrested and sentenced to prison for murder. With his main competitor safely behind bars, Sanders was able to expand his service station, perfect his pressure-frying method, and ultimately transform his business into a massive commercial success.

2

The KFC you know today exists thanks to Wendy’s

Although you may view KFC and Wendy’s as distinct competitors, the reality is that the chicken giant owes its structural identity to Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s. In the 1960s, Thomas worked as a head chef and regional manager for the Colonel’s franchises.

He was a marketing whiz who personally convinced Colonel Sanders to star in his own television commercials, cementing his status as a living mascot. Furthermore, Thomas created the iconic red and white striped bucket design. He became so wealthy from his shares and success at KFC that he used his payout to establish his own burger empire, Wendy’s, in 1969.

3

The secret recipe's security

The legendary blend of "11 herbs and spices" is one of the most famously guarded secrets. Did you know KFC keeps the recipe locked inside a top-secret vault at the corporate headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky?

The vault, encased in thick layers of concrete, is protected by motion sensors, security cameras, and 24/7 guards. To ensure the formula is never leaked, KFC splits the production pipeline: two different companies are hired to mix separate halves of the spice blend. Neither company knows the other's ingredients, and a computer system automatically combines the two halves before the seasoning is shipped out to individual franchises.

4

KFC for Christmas in Japan

In the United States, a Christmas dinner consists of roasted turkey or ham. In Japan, however, Nativity food comes in a cardboard bucket. This wild tradition dates back to 1974, sparked by Takeshi Okawara, the manager of the country's first KFC branch.

After overhearing homesick Western expats lamenting how difficult it was to source a holiday turkey in Japan, Okawara launched the national "Kentucky for Christmas" campaign, which exploded into a cultural phenomenon. Today, an estimated 3.6 million Japanese families celebrate Christmas Eve with KFC, with patrons placing their orders months in advance to avoid long lines.

5

Colonel Sanders hated KFC

By 1964, 73-year-old Colonel Snaders felt he was no longer cut out for the pace of corporate life. He sold the Kentucky Fried Chicken company to a group of investors for $2 million, under a contract that allowed the brand to continue using his likeness.

As executives changed the original recipes to cut costs, Sanders grew to hate the food KFC was serving. He began travelling the country, showing up unannounced at franchises to taste the food, throw public tantrums, and openly tell the media that the new gravy tasted like "wallpaper paste" or "sludge". He even attempted to open a rival restaurant and sued KFC for using his image, leading the company to counter-sue him. Eventually, KFC paid him an additional million dollars just to stop making public scenes.

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KFC Double Down

KFC has never been afraid of pushing nutritional boundaries, but in 2010 they certainly hit another level. The Double Down features bacon, Monterey Jack cheese, and a Colonel's special sauce encased between two seasoned, crispy slabs of fried chicken breast instead of bread buns.

The item sparked a media frenzy, with health advocates calling it a dietary disaster and foodies treating it as a dare. Ultimately, it proved to be a commercial hit. As it turns out, when it comes to extreme fast food, consumers are more than willing to ignore the carbs in favor of deliciousness.

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That time KFC ran out of chicken

A fried chicken restaurant running out of its main ingredient sounds like a nightmare, but in 2018, it became real for KFC in the United Kingdom. In an effort to optimize logistics and save money, management switched its delivery contract to DHL. The transition went completely wrong, resulting in a supply chain jam that left over 900 UK locations with no chicken to fry.

Hundreds of stores were forced to shut down temporarily, sparking nationwide outrage, with desperate citizens even calling the police to complain. KFC managed to restore its reputation by leaning into self-deprecating humor, purchasing newspaper advertisements that featured an empty bucket rearranged to read "FCK".

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The problem with the slogan in Chinese

When international fast food brands began expanding into foreign territories in the late 1980s, errors were very common. KFC experienced this firsthand when it opened its first store in Beijing, China, in 1987. The company wanted to proudly display its world-famous catchphrase, "Finger-Lickin' Good", to tempt local diners.

Unfortunately, due to an oversight in Mandarin translation, the slogan was literally translated to "Eat Your Fingers Off". While the phrase initially startled and amused local consumers, the brand quickly corrected the translation mishap to something more culturally appropriate and appetizing.

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KFC's video game

Decades after the Colonel’s passing, KFC’s marketing division decided to lean into modern internet subcultures. In 2019, the brand shocked the gaming community by releasing an official, anime-style video game titled I Love You, Colonel Sanders! A Finger Lickin’ Good Dating Simulator.

Developed as a visual novel, the free game places the player in a culinary school alongside a young and handsome romanticized version of Colonel Sanders. The goal of the game is to successfully navigate cooking school battles while attempting to woo the chicken chef. Against all odds, the game became a viral sensation.

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KFC releases its own console

Following the unexpected success of their video game, KFC’s marketing team announced the KFConsole in 2020. Many assumed it was an April Fool’s joke, but it turned out to be a genuine gaming PC.

The most bizarre feature of the console is its custom "Chicken Chamber". This specialized compartment uses the heat generated by the computer’s internal components to keep pieces of fried chicken warm and crispy while you play video games.