1

Frying Pan Road

Image: Ashwini Chaudhary(Monty)

As we discuss our first entry on the list, we must prepare you for the incoming spoonful of roads and streets named after various things, starting with the namesake one. There is a suburb in Hendon, Virginia with a community named Fryin Pan that dates back to at least the 1700s. However, in the 1890s, they changed the name to Floris. The original name has remained as a road.

2

Chicken Dinner Road

Image: Karyna Panchenko

Believe it or not, there is a road in Idaho called Chicken Dinner. According to the main story, the origin of the name lies with a resident who lobbied the governor to improve the road outside her house. Laura Lamb was known for her chicken, and when a couple of vandals painted the words "Lamb's Chicken Dinner Avenue" on the freshly oiled road, they inadvertently christened the street with the name that is known today.

3

Bad Route Road

Image: Markus Spiske

While the name doesn’t sound very enticing, a trip down this residential Montana street may not be as bad an idea as it sounds. This street possibly received its unfortunate name from Bad Route Creek, an offshoot of the Yellowstone River. The creek's name itself may have originated from the difficult conditions and the challenges faced by early explorers and settlers in the region.

4

Psycho Path

Image: Jorge Salvador

It was voted as the nation’s wackiest street name, and for good reason. Psycho Path is a small private road in Traverse City, Michigan . Owners of private roads can register whatever name they choose with the local authorities. We prefer to think that the owner of this road is not a particularly dangerous person but rather someone with a sense of humor.

5

Alcohol Mary Road

Image: Timothé Durand

A memorable street named, indeed—Alcohol Mary Road in Greenwood, Maine, is named after a local woman who was known for producing alcohol during the Prohibition years. To the residents, it symbolizes the town's spirit of independence.

The Hertell family, who lives on the road and has a family matriarch named Mary, has grown tired of fielding questions about whether their beloved grandmother was an outlaw.

6

Zzyzx Road

Image: Diego Jimenez

Sounds like "Six Six," but it’s not spelled in the same way. Not only is there a town in Southern California named Zzyzx, but there is also a street that leads to the town.

According to the story, Curtis Howe Springer created the name Zzyzx and gave it to the area in 1944, claiming it to be the last word in the English language.

7

Five Forks Trickum Road

Image: Prayag Tejwani

There is a road in Gwinnett County, Georgia , named Five Forks Trickum Road, which has only four forks. The reason for this is simple: in decades past, it once had a five-fork intersection.

As for the "Trickum" part, local lore suggests that this comes from a shop owner who once lived there, and often swindled customers out of their money.

8

Liquid Laughter Lane

Image: Surface

A poetic image if we ever heard one, Liquid Laughter Lane is a real street in Columbia, Maryland . When the local community was planned, names for the streets were needed and the team in charge of coming up with these names resorted to statistics, demographics, and geographical locations, among common elements. But they also took inspiration from things like literature and poetry, which helped them come up with beautiful names like Liquid Laughter Lane.

9

Pig’s Eye Lake Road

Image: Fabian Blank

Pig’s Eye Lake Road is a nod to an actual person named Pierre "Pig’s Eye" Parrent (nicknamed as such because he had only one eye), who played an important role in the history of St. Paul and Minnesota . He established a tavern that served as a meeting place for traders and settlers, making it a focal point in the community.

Today, Pig's Eye Lake Road continues to serve as a reminder of the area's history and the colorful characters who contributed to its development.

10

Ninth and a Half Street

Image: Nick Hillier

Since the second part of an address is typically a number, it is advisable to name the first part with a word rather than another number; however, there are exceptions. Ninth and a Half Street runs along the north-south boundary between what used to be Old Nebraska City and South Nebraska City (which now make up Nebraska City).

If you are wondering where this name came from, it has to do with the fact that the city was formed from three preexisting cities, and when they went to rename the streets of the newly formed city, the numbers didn’t quite line up.

1

It was invented in Switzerland

While the name suggests a US origin, the technology that created American cheese actually began in the heart of the Alps. It was developed in 1911 by Swiss researchers Walter Gerber and Fritz Stettler, who were looking for a way to extend the shelf life of their country’s famous Emmental cheese.

The problem with traditional cheese is that it eventually dries out, molds, or separates into a greasy mess when heated. By shredding the cheese, adding sodium citrate, and heating it, the Swiss duo discovered they could create a stable, smooth product that didn't separate. While they weren't trying to create "American" cheese as we know it today, their emulsification process laid the foundational science for every single-wrapped slice produced today.

2

It was popularized by a Canadian

The man responsible for the global dominance of American cheese was James L. Kraft. Ring any bells? Kraft was a Canadian immigrant who moved to Chicago in 1903. While he didn't invent the concept of processed cheese, he perfected the industrial scale of its production and marketing.

Kraft noticed that retailers struggled with cheese spoilage; if a wheel of cheddar didn't sell quickly, it was a total loss. He experimented with various methods of heating and blending cheese until he found a formula that could be canned and shipped long distances without spoiling. In 1916, he received a patent for his "processed cheese," and during World War I, the U.S. government purchased millions of pounds of it for soldiers, cementing its privileged place in the American diet.

3

It was almost called "Embalmed Cheese"

When processed cheese first hit the market, it had its detractors. Traditional cheesemakers were horrified, and so were pure food advocates. These critics argued that the product shouldn't even be called cheese. They’ve even gone so far as to call it "embalmed cheese" because of its unnaturally long shelf life and the chemical emulsifiers used to keep it stable. Yet, Kraft’s marketing prowess and the sheer convenience of the product ultimately won the naming battle. At least in the court of public opinion.

4

Technically, it isn’t cheese

Kraft may have won the battle among the people, but legally, American cheese is not considered cheese. If you look closely at the packaging, you will rarely see the word "cheese" on its own. Because of strict FDA regulations, most varieties are legally classified as "Pasteurized Process Cheese Product" or "Pasteurized Process American Cheese Food."

To be labeled "cheese," a product must be made primarily of milk, salt, and enzymes. Processed American cheese, however, is made by blending real cheese—usually cheddar or Colby—with emulsifying salts, whey, and sometimes extra milk or fats.

5

Any cheese can be made into American cheese

The term "American cheese" refers more to a process than a specific flavor. In theory, you could make "American-style" brie, blue cheese, or parmesan. The defining characteristic is the addition of an emulsifier, which breaks down the proteins and allows the fats and water to stay together.

In fact, some high-end chefs now make their own artisanal American cheese with aged cheddars processed with sodium citrate to create a slice that has the complex flavor of an expensive block but the melting point of a Kraft Single.

6

It isn’t naturally yellow

The vibrant orange-yellow hue of American cheese is entirely a cosmetic choice. Traditionally, cheese color varied by the season; when cows ate fresh grass in the summer, their milk contained more beta-carotene, leading to a naturally yellowish cheese. To make their cheese look high-quality all year round, cheesemakers began adding dyes.

American cheese takes this tradition to the extreme. It is typically colored with annatto, a seed from the achiote tree. Without this dye, American cheese would be a pale, creamy white, which is how it is sold in many delis as "White American". Yes, that’s right, there is no flavor difference between the white and yellow versions.

7

It has an extremely low melting point

The scientific superpower of American cheese is its meltability. Traditional cheeses have a protein structure that tightens when heated, which is why a slice of aged cheddar on a burger often results in an oily puddle and a rubbery clump.

Because of the emulsifying salts, the proteins in American cheese can withstand heat without clumping together. This gives it an incredibly low and stable melting point, transforming the slice into a silky sauce. This is why it remains the undisputed king of grilled cheese sandwiches.

8

It’s been in space

When you're hurtling through orbit in a cramped capsule, you need food that is stable, easy to eat, and won't crumble into thousands of tiny, electronics-clogging pieces. American cheese fit the bill perfectly for early NASA missions.

Processed cheese in tubes or cubes was a staple of the Apollo missions. Because it doesn't separate or sweat oil in varying temperatures and pressures, it was one of the few dairy products that could reliably provide flavor and calcium to astronauts.

9

It helped bring cheese to the masses

Before the advent of processed cheese, cheese was often a seasonal luxury. It was difficult to transport, expensive to store, and highly variable in quality. James L. Kraft’s invention changed that. By creating a product that was uniform in flavor and shelf-stable, he made cheese affordable and accessible to every corner of the United States.

10

The U.S. Government once gave it out

The U.S. government not only bought tons of American cheese during World War I. In the 1980s, the term "government cheese" became a thing. During a period of dairy surpluses, the government bought millions of pounds of cheese to prop up prices for struggling farmers.

To avoid letting it rot, the Reagan administration began distributing five-pound blocks of cheese to low-income families, seniors, and schools. For many who grew up in that era, that pale orange processed cheese was a lifesaver.

1

Mickey Mouse

Image: Kadyn Pierce

We’ll start strong with what’s probably the most famous cartoon character in the world. When you think about it, it’s rather uncanny how instantly recognizable Mickey Mouse is: It only takes drawing three small circles for virtually anyone in the world to identify Disney’s iconic mascot.

However, while nowadays Mickey acts more like a spokesperson for Disney, he got his start as a groundbreaking cartoon character, featured in now legendary shorts like "Steamboat Willie", "The Plow Boy", and "The Barn Dance". Perhaps more famous is Mickey’s short included in the feature film "Fantasia", in which he plays a clumsy sorcerer’s apprentice.

2

Charlie Brown & Snoopy

Image: Joshua Carl

We couldn’t possibly add the main character of the "Peanuts" newspaper strips without including his iconic black and white dog. Charlie Brown and Snoopy have been featured in several TV shows, including many fondly remembered Christmas specials.

Charlie Brown’s "aw-shucks" attitude and Snoopy’s mischievous charisma have truly cemented them as two of the most popular cartoon characters in history. Since their first TV appearance in 1965, this duo is still featured in new specials and films, with their latest show premiering in 2021.

3

Garfield

Image: Jason Yuen

Another newspaper strip-turned-animated character, Garfield is one of the most relatable characters in this list. Now, you might be thinking "What on God’s green earth do I have in common with a cartoon orange cat?" Well, more than you think: Garfield’s smarts, love for food, and utter disdain for Mondays truly turned him into one of America’s favorite cartoon pets.

Garfield’s jump from Jim Davis’ comics to TV first came in the early 80s, through a number of Emmy-nominated specials that included "Here Comes Garfield", "Garfield on the Town", and "Garfield in the Rough". In 1988, our favorite feline debuted in his very own TV show called "Garfield and Friends".

4

Scooby-Doo

Image: Brandon Salabarría

Is your town haunted by strange apparitions, dastardly creatures, or terrifying monsters? Then it sounds like you need the help of four meddling kids and their dog! Scooby-Doo revolutionized cartoons by adding crime-solving to a mostly comedic genre. Every week, the amateur detectives of "Mystery Inc." would solve a mystery, unmasking a no-good villain pretending to be some sort of fantastical creature.

The gang was aided by Scooby, their cowardly yet lovable Great Dane. Although he preferred eating snacks over solving mysteries, he ultimately always helped his friends whenever they needed him. Fun fact: Did you know that Scooby’s name was inspired by a Frank Sinatra song?

5

The Flintstones

Image: Bekir Uğur

Did you know that our favorite prehistoric family was the very first animated series featured in a prime time slot? That goes to show how much America loved the Flintstones : Every week, millions of families turned to their TV screens to laugh away with Fred, Wilma, Barney, and Betty’s adventures.

Set in the fictional town of Bedrock, "The Flintstones" featured a rather imaginative depiction of the Stone Age, mixing prehistoric elements with modern issues. Perhaps most famously, the show depicted prehistoric versions of modern appliances, like an octopus dishwasher or a dinosaur-can opener.

6

The Jetsons

Image: Rock'n Roll Monkey

While in "The Flintstones" Hannah-Barbera showcased the adventures of a Prehistoric family, the iconic animation studio went in the opposite direction with " The Jetsons ": For this show, the studio asked the question "How would the typical Space Age American family be?"

This show follows the everyday life of the Jetson family, comprised of George, Jane, Judy, and Elroy Jetson. Just like "The Flintstones", the show is fondly remembered for reimagining everyday technology: It predicted video calls and automated helpers decades before the first iPhone was produced.

7

Tom & Jerry

Image: Teresa Jang

Who says rivals can’t make up a good duo? If anything, Tom and Jerry’s legacy was built in this constant and neverending bickering, resulting in hilarious and exciting confrontations that don’t usually end up good for this beloved tomcat.

Another animated treasure conceived by the minds of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, Tom and Jerry made use of these two characters’ insane charisma: Although they were mostly silent, their expressions and resourcefulness truly made them unforgettable. Several "Tom & Jerry" shorts received Academy Awards, including the fan-favorite episode "The Cat Concerto."

8

Popeye

Image: thomas RICHARD

If Garfield made us love lasagna, then Popeye had the slightly more difficult mission of making kids enjoy eating their spinach. And yet, this iconic sailor made such a daunting task look easy by showcasing the Herculean strength this simple vegetable gave him.

Popeye made his big screen debut in 1933 after Betty Boop creator Max Fleischer adapted the character’s adventures into a series of shorts. Fleischer was the first to include Popeye’s love for spinach, turning it into the character’s most famous trait. Whenever he was in trouble, Popeye would turn to a can of spinach that would always give him the strength needed to save his beloved Olive Oyl from the hands of the villainous Brutus.

9

Yogi Bear

Image: Jessica Weiller

If you ever find yourself enjoying a gorgeous day in the beautiful (although fictional) "Jellystone Park", keep an eye on your picnic basket! Just a small lapse is all Yogi Bear (and his trusted companion, Boo-Boo Bear) need to take your delicious refreshments. Created by Hanna-Barbera in 1958, Yogi first appeared as a supporting character in "The Huckleberry Hound Show", but he soon found his way into the hearts of the American public.

Yogi was as charming as he was mischievous: He would often speak in rhyme and come up with elaborate plans that ultimately blew up on his face. Yogi was constantly evading Ranger Smith, the overworked park ranger tasked with keeping visitors' food safe from this beloved bear.

10

Looney Tunes

Image: Portuguese Gravity

We’ll end this article with a bit of a pun since this cartoon series is known for its send-off message " That’s all Folks! " Just like Mickey Mouse and Tom & Jerry, the Looney Tunes come straight from the Golden Age of American animation, and it truly shows: Not only are their cartoons insanely funny, but they have remained relevant and inspiring since their debut in the 1930s.

Looney Tunes introduced the world to iconic characters like Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Daffy Dug, Wile E. Coyote, and the Road Runner. Their charming personalities, wacky adventures, and quirky manners truly marked a turning point in the history of American cartoons.