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Awesome History

Why Are Game Controller Buttons Like That?

Why Are Game Controller Buttons Like That?

You probably know that Nintendo came up with the A and B buttons in video game controllers. But did you know that they were not the first to use Start and Select? Or that we have Sega to thank for the ergonomics of the Xbox controller layout? Learn all that and more from YouTuber Lextorias’ deep dive into the origins of video game controller buttons.

How Comics Were Made

How Comics Were Made

Tech journalist and print historian Glenn Fleischman teamed up with other experts to create How Comics Were Made: A Visual History from the Drawing Board to the Printed Page. The book takes readers through 130 years of newspaper cartoons with the help of high-resolution original art, newspaper reproductions, and interviews with cartoonists.

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An Animated Evolution of New York City

An Animated Evolution of New York City

This CG video from InfoGeek illustrates the history of NYC from 1524 through 2023. The story unfolds through the evolution of its man-made structures, accompanied by the year and approximate population count. It was sad to see the Twin Towers vanish in 2001, and it failed to mention the indigenous population prior to the arrival of Europeans.

The History of Zip Ties

The History of Zip Ties

There are a few items every maker, mechanic, and technician needs in their repair kit – duct tape, WD-40, a hot glue gun, and zip ties. If you’ve ever wondered where these sturdy plastic ties came from, New Mind is here with the history of this versatile item. While their primary use is bundling cables, they’re helpful for holding many other items together.

Stuff ’80s Kids Used to Do

Stuff ’80s Kids Used to Do

Kids who grew up in the 1980s had some very different experiences than 21st-century kids. This video from Rhetty for History looks back at what youngsters did for fun, how dangerous playgrounds and cars used to be, and the primitive state of technology compared to things we take for granted today.

The History of Giving the Middle Finger

The History of Giving the Middle Finger

If you want to tell someone off with the smallest effort possible, flip them the bird. But why is the simple extension of your middle finger considered such an insult? Weird History digs into the origins of the disrespectful gesture and some of its most notable uses.

The Strange History of Presidential Pets

The Strange History of Presidential Pets

With few exceptions, U.S. Presidents have had family pets living in the White House. Sam O’Nella Academy looks back at some of the many presidential pets and their purpose in distracting the public from the real issues. While dogs and cats are the most popular choices, some leaders kept silkworms, parrots, sheep, and a very angry ram.

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The History of Dinosaurs (the TV Series)

The History of Dinosaurs (the TV Series)

The 1990s TV show Dinosaurs was a breath of fresh air from other sitcoms, imagining a prehistoric world where dinos lived in a modern civilization. Secret Galaxy looks back at the show, its origins, the depth of its messages, and how it ended with one of the darkest finalés of all time… mass extinction.

The Story of the Concorde Supersonic Jet

The Story of the Concorde Supersonic Jet

These days, a typical non-stop flight from New York City to London takes about seven hours. But when the Concorde was still operating, it could perform the feat in just three hours. Bright Sun Films looks back at the rise and fall of this iconic supersonic jet that never reached its true potential.

A Brief History of Batteries

A Brief History of Batteries

We rely on batteries to power everything from our watches to our phones to our vehicles. But where did batteries come from, and who invented them? Origins explores the history of batteries and their evolution since 1799. Along the way, you learn we don’t see “B” cell batteries and what frog legs and torpedo fish have to do with it all.

The Earth in One Day

The Earth in One Day

Imagine, if you will, that the entire 4.5 billion year history of the Earth was collapsed down to a 24-hour single day. Bright Side’s educational video does just that, taking significant events in the development of our world and giving us a relative sense of how closely together they played out.

The History of Pretzels

The History of Pretzels

Now that we know about the history of mustard, it’s time to learn about one of its companion foods. Mental Floss’ Food History is here to explain where the first pretzels came from, how they evolved from a religious food into the popular snack we know and love today, and why we have both soft and hard versions.

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The Strange History of Mac Tonight

The Strange History of Mac Tonight

(PG-13: Language) 80s and 90s kids might recall McDonald’s weirdly entrancing Mac Tonight ad campaign. Portrayed by award-winning actor Doug Jones, the moon-headed crooner made several comebacks over the years before becoming an internet meme and an odd symbol of hate. Doplex and ManyKudos teamed up to recap Mac Tonight’s strange history.

A Brief History of Vintage Pencil Sharpeners

A Brief History of Vintage Pencil Sharpeners

We don’t use pencils nearly as much as we used to, but we still enjoy sketching and drawing with a real-world writing instrument and not just on our iPad screen. This YouTube playlist of short videos from Rescue & Restore shows off a few very different antique pencil sharpener designs that date from the 1880s to the 1930s. Which is your favorite?

The History of Gummy Bears

The History of Gummy Bears

We love us some gummy bears. There’s something so perfect about their chewy texture, fruity flavors, and adorable form that makes them special. Mental Floss series Food History looks back at the origins and evolution of the tasty candy treat, which first took their bear-shaped form in the 1920s in Germany.

Why LEGO Won

Why LEGO Won

LEGO is the dominant player in the brick-building game. But they weren’t the first to make snap-together plastic toy bricks. Historian Phil Edwards looks back at Kiddicraft, a company that was making something similar 10 years before LEGO. Then LEGO solved a problem that gave them a major advantage.

The History of McDonald’s Happy Meal

The History of McDonald’s Happy Meal

When it comes to getting kids hooked on fast food, few things have had a bigger impact than McDonald’s Happy Meals. Conceived in the 1970s, the junk food giant’s combination of colorful packaging, a packed-in prize, and a complete meal in a box was the perfect storm for choosy kids and lazy parents. Weird History Food has the complete story.

Why Everyday Items Are Certain Colors

Why Everyday Items Are Certain Colors

Stop signs are red and blue jeans are blue. But how did those universal colors come to be? Weird History dives into the origin stories of various human-made items and how they ended up being the colors they are, from yellow-green tennis balls to pink bubble gum to white doctor’s coats.

No-Nails Survival Shelter

No-Nails Survival Shelter

We may take the roof over our heads for granted these days, but in the 18th century, families venturing into the interior of North America had to build their own shelters to survive the elements as they headed westward. Frontier lifestyle expert Jon Townsend shows us how they might have constructed a shelter without any nails.

Misconceptions About Vikings

Misconceptions About Vikings

Mention the word “Vikings” and it conjures up images of burly warriors with horned helmets, laying waste to all who stood in their way. But as Justin from Mental Floss explains, most modern conceptions about these feared Norsemen are totally wrong.

The Fascinating History of Fonts

The Fascinating History of Fonts

After looking at the variety of fonts on his computer, vlogger and documentarian struthless wanted to know more about their origins. But as he started to pull at that thread, he learned so much more – about the history of written language, design, pop culture, and communication.

What Was the the Loudest Sound Ever on Earth?

What Was the the Loudest Sound Ever on Earth?

Stand next to a spinning jet engine, and you’re likely to experience an ear-splitting volume of about 140 to 150 decibels. But that’s nowhere near the loudest sound in recorded history. This short video from Great Big Story explains the insane 310-decibel sound that could be heard more than 3,000 miles away from its source.

Why Salt and Pepper Go Together

Why Salt and Pepper Go Together

In many parts of the world, using salt and pepper to season foods is as ubiquitous as the duo of ketchup and mustard. But how did this pairing of two very different seasonings rise to such popularity? BBC Ideas series Edible Histories provides a brief backgrounder on the flavorful combo.

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