1

Swim fins

Image: NEOM

If you don’t know who invented swim fins, this one might startle you! Before he was flying kites in thunderstorms, Benjamin Franklin was just an 11-year-old boy who loved to swim.

He invented early swim fins, but not the kind we wear on our feet. He designed wooden paddles with thumb holes that could be held in the hands to help propel a swimmer through the water faster. He also tried strapping fins to his feet, but found them less effective and even painful.

2

Popsicles

Image: Jill Wellington

The brand Popsicle tells the legendary story: eleven-year-old Frank Epperson left his soda drink with a stirring stick on the porch overnight. When he returned the next morning, he discovered a brilliant idea— frozen juice on a stick !

Originally named the "Epsicle" (after himself), the invention was patented in the 1920s. His children called them "Pop’s ’sicles," and the name Popsicle stuck.

3

Earmuffs

Image: Ellen Kerbey

Chester Greenwood couldn’t endure Maine winters. At 15 years old, his ears got cold, and he didn’t like the feeling of wool hats on his skin. So he devised a creative solution: his grandmother sewed beaver fur onto a wire headband that he shaped into circular ear loops.

That invention was later patented in the 1870s, becoming the world’s first earmuffs, according to historical records.

4

Toy trucks

Image: Allison Astorga

Using bottle caps, cardboard, and ingenuity, Robert W. Patch created a toy truck that could transform into multiple styles: a dump truck, flatbed, or box truck. And he was only 5 years old.

The modular vehicle concept was so compelling that his father, who happened to be a patent attorney, filed for official recognition. By the time Patch turned six, he had been granted a U.S. patent, making him one of the youngest inventors in history.

5

Superman

Image: Esteban López

Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster were both high school students when they came up with the idea for the Man of Steel in 1933.

They created Superman as the ultimate underdog: an alien orphan who fights for justice. The character was sold to Action Comics in 1938, launching the entire superhero genre.

6

Hot seat

Image: Erik Mclean

A heartbreaking story of a baby dying after being left inside a hot car reached Bishop Curry V when he was 10 years old.

This inspired him to design a device he called Oasis (often referred to in the media as the "Hot Seat"). His invention detects rising temperatures in a car, blows cool air, and alerts parents and emergency services.

7

Water skis

Image: Wyatt Harrom

Ralph Samuelson was a teenager when he had an idea: if people could ski on snow, why not on water? In the early 1920s, he took two pine staves , curved the tips using boiling water , and hit the lake with his brother, towing him behind a motorboat.

After many belly flops, he figured out the proper posture and became the first water skier in history. Although he never patented his creation, he spent years performing and became known as the "Father of Water Skiing."

8

Trampolines

Image: Jasper Garratt

Who knew? George Nissen was just 16 when he devised the bouncy fun. In the early 1930s, he watched circus trapeze artists drop and land into safety nets and realized: what if you could bounce back ?

Working out of his parents’ garage, he stretched canvas across a frame and added springs. Initially, trampolines were used for gymnastics training, but even NASA later adopted them to train astronauts.

9

Makin’ Bacon

Image: Polina Tankilevitch

Michigan native Abbey Fleck did not invent bacon itself, but at 8 years old, she had grown tired of soggy bacon and paper towels. She brainstormed a simpler solution: hang the bacon while it cooked, allowing grease to drip away cleanly.

Together with her dad, she built a prototype in the 1990s and earned a U.S. patent for the microwavable "Makin’ Bacon" tray. It became a retail hit .

10

Wristies

Image: Valeriy Borzov

Cold, wet sleeves are a winter misery. 10-year-old Kathryn Gregory grew frustrated with snow slipping between her mittens and coat sleeves, so she sewed together a pair of warm fleece tubes to cover the gap between glove and sleeve .

She called them Wristies. Her invention was such a hit with friends and family that her Girl Scout troop encouraged her to patent it—and she did! Kathryn became one of the youngest inventors to receive a U.S. patent.

11

Crayon holders

Image: AlexanderStein

Ever struggled to hold a crayon that’s worn down to a stub? So did 11-year-old Cassidy Goldstein. She noticed how frustrating tiny crayons could be, especially for kids just learning to grip.

She came up with a simple solution: a plastic cylinder that could hold broken or short crayons , making them easier to use. Patenting the design earned Cassidy the Youth Inventor of the Year Award.

1

Colorado once rejected the Winter Olympics

In the 1970s, Colorado turned down the opportunity to host the Winter Olympics in Denver. Voters opposed the plan due to concerns about cost, environmental damage, and overcrowding .

This made Colorado the only U.S. state in history to reject the Olympics—even though it’s home to the U.S. Olympic Committee. The decision reflected a strong commitment to protecting the state’s environment and way of life.

2

Wyoming has only two escalators

Wyoming has just two escalators, both located in Casper— one at First Interstate Bank and the other at Hilltop National Bank.

A third once existed at a JCPenney in Cheyenne but was removed when the store relocated to Frontier Mall. The two remaining escalators operate in both directions and remain the only ones in the state.

3

The highest vehicular tunnel in America is in Colorado

The Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 in Colorado is the highest vehicular tunnel in the United States , sitting at an elevation of 11,158 feet. It stretches 1.6 miles beneath the Rocky Mountains.

Built to improve winter travel across the Continental Divide, the tunnel is both a vital transportation route and an impressive feat of engineering, connecting the eastern and western regions of Colorado.

4

Shootout reenactments in Wyoming

Since 1957, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, has hosted the world’s longest-running shootout reenactment. It takes place six days a week in the town square. While the event doesn’t portray a particular historical shootout, it is still fun to watch.

The event runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, Monday through Saturday, beginning at 6:00 p.m. each evening.

5

The world’s largest flat-top mountain is in Colorado

Grand Mesa, located in western Colorado, is the largest flat-top mountain in the world in terms of surface area . It spans over 500 square miles and rises more than 10,000 feet above sea level. The mesa offers sweeping views and breathtaking natural beauty.

The area is rich in forests, alpine lakes, and wildlife, making it a favorite destination for fishing, hiking, and skiing. It’s a must-see for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

6

Ghost stories from Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park—Wyoming’s most famous landmark—is said to be haunted. Over the years, many ghost sightings have been reported throughout the park.

The most well-known spirit is the Headless Bride , believed to be a young woman who was murdered by her husband-to-be . Readers will be relieved to know that the event never actually happened. The entire story is a famous piece of local folklore, albeit a very curious one.

7

Colorado once had 3 Governors in a single day

On March 17, 1905, Colorado experienced a rare political event—three different governors held office in a single day. Alva Adams resigned after allegations of election fraud , including suspicious vote counts in his favor.

He was replaced by his opponent , James H. Peabody , who had contested the results. However, Peabody agreed to step down immediately—on the condition that his lieutenant governor, Jesse F. McDonald, would succeed him . And so, all three men held the governorship within 24 hours.

8

A parachuting daredevil landed atop Devil's Tower in Wyoming

In 1941, George Hopkins parachuted from a plane onto the summit of Devil's Tower as a publicity stunt. However, his plan to descend by rope failed when the rope fell out of reach. Park officials kept him supplied with food while he was stranded for six days . Eventually, a team of seven climbers rescued him—while more than 7,000 spectators watched from below.

Today, the tower’s dramatic rock columns attract climbers year-round. All climbers must register and check in before and after their climbs. The site closes to climbers during the month of June out of respect for Native American cultural practices.

9

Colorado Rose Onyx can only be found in the state Capitol building

Colorado Rose Onyx is a rare decorative stone found only in Colorado . It was quarried in Beulah and used entirely in the construction of the Colorado State Capitol.

Because the entire known supply was used in the building, none remains available today—making it one of the rarest decorative stones in the world.

10

Wyoming King-size bed

Most people are familiar with the California king-size bed, but few know that there’s also a Wyoming king-size bed. It measures 84 by 84 inches, making it a full foot wider than a California King .

Other oversized options include the Texas King and the massive Alaskan King, which offer even more space for those who want extra room to stretch out.

11

Mike, the headless chicken from Colorado

In Fruita, Colorado, locals honor "Mike the Headless Chicken" with a festival and a statue. The odd celebration is rooted in a real event that occurred in 1945.

Farmer L.A. Olsen tried to behead Mike for dinner, but the chicken surprisingly survived . Remarkably, Mike lived for 18 months without a head.

12

A Wyoming town was sold for $900,000

Bufford, a Wyoming town, lost its residents over a span of 150 years through a classic combination of railroad rerouting, urbanization, and personal family life cycles. In 2016, the town, which had just one resident , was sold for $900,000 . The buyer was an anonymous Vietnamese businessman.

The 4-hectare town included a gas station, a store, and a home. Don Sammons, who moved there from Los Angeles in 1980, owned the whole town after his wife passed away.

1

Basic computer skills

Image: Christin Hume

An increasingly larger chunk of our world requires at least some basic form of digital literacy to interact with it. Knowing your way around a computer, your smartphone, and the Internet makes everything a little bit easier .

You don’t need to be a hacker or anything like that; just knowing the very basics allows us to access most of the advantages that modern technology provides.

2

Housekeeping skills

Image: Slaapwijsheid.nl

Living in a clean and comfortable environment is something that almost everyone can achieve with just a little bit of effort. Learn to use a vacuum cleaner, your washing machine, and the dishwasher, if you have it ; learn how to iron your clothes, make a bed, and clean your home.

3

Navigation skills

Image: Tabea Schimpf

The aforementioned basic computer and smartphone skills are a great aid in this department. But even if you have those incorporated, it is always a good idea to learn how to use a map and a compass. Ask for directions and memorize them . Just in case technology fails.

4

Survival skills

Image: Courtnie Tosana

Learn how to make a fire. Learn how to perform CPR and a Heimlich maneuver on adults, children, and infants. Learn to use a portable electricity generator. Learn a few basic knots. All of these abilities are very rarely used. But whenever you need them, you'd better know how to perform them correctly . Your life or someone else’s might depend on it.

5

Time management

Image: kylefromthenorth™️

The best way to make time is to manage it correctly. Learn to set daily and weekly goals , prioritize your tasks and responsibilities, create to-do lists, and review your schedule periodically.

6

Financial education

Image: Sasun Bughdaryan

Track your money. Learn to check, build, and repair, if necessary, your credit score . Learn how to apply for a loan or a credit card. And hire or at least consult with a tax professional to make sure that you are doing your taxes correctly.

7

Social skills

Image: Chris Liverani

While it is true that some people are born with social skills, these can be learned by anyone . The ability to accept criticism in good spirit, the ability to have a productive conversation, patience, knowing how to speak clearly and succinctly, and knowing how to negotiate are all things that can be learned and add significant benefits to whoever acquires these skills.

8

Fitness

Image: Emma Simpson

Your body is your vessel. And it is the only one you are going to get for your life. Therefore, make sure to keep it as fit as possible . Strengthen your muscles and bones with activities that suit you. Learn how to stretch properly, learn bodyweight exercises, and look for ways to stay active at any age. A fit body will always get you farther.

9

Healthy cooking

Image: Alyson McPhee

This one goes hand in hand with the previous item. Healthy cooking involves preparing nutritious and balanced meals. This is essential for maintaining good health and can be a fun and creative activity.

Learn some basic recipes that you can make at home, quickly, with a few ingredients, and you will never go hungry again.

10

Learn to keep a budget

Image: Mediamodifier

This one is related to the previous item regarding financial education, but on a more basic level. Keeping a good track of the money you earn and the money you spend helps you make ends meet and save more at the end of the month.

Create a spreadsheet and write down your expenses and your income, or use an app to help you do the same thing on your phone.

11

Sew on a button

Image: Merve Sehirli Nasir

The constantly decreasing quality of clothing makes this simple skill all the more important as time goes by. Learn how to sew on a button. It is not difficult, and it will save you a trip to the tailor or having to ask somebody else for a very easy task.

12

Change a tire

Image: Wade Lambert

If you drive a car, you should know how to change a tire. Yes, maybe you have an insurance service that can aid you, and maybe there is always someone around who can help until there is no service available and you are all alone.

Changing a tire is very simple, and there are techniques to do so with very little physical effort . Learn how to perform this simple task, and you will be much safer when driving a car.