1

Money Materials

Image: Jorge Salvador

We call them paper bills, but do they undergo the same process as any other paper? Naturally, they don’t. U.S. bills are mainly made of two materials: 75% of their composition is cotton and the 25% left is linen. Besides, they have randomly disbursed red and blue security fibers embedded in the paper.

This special blend is made by only one company in America and that is Crane & Co . The company, based in Massachusetts patented this special blend and it has been the sole provider of paper for currency since 1879.

2

Origin of the U.S. dollar symbol

Image: Paris Bilal

The dollar sign is a matter of debate. One line or two across a capital S, the symbol is today a worldwide sign for money, but where does it come from?

Even if there are several theories as to where the U.S. dollar symbol comes from, all of them agree that it was derived from the Spanish peso . When the time came, and the new nation needed its own currency, the basis was that of the Spanish coinage, which was the most common currency in the colonies before the country’s independence.

The adoption of the sign was made official in 1785, and today, the United States is not the only country that uses this symbol, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand do too!

3

Who appears on the bills?

Image: AR

Having your face forever stamped on the little piece of paper that rules the world should be a milestone in your career, right? However, there were certain rules as to who qualifies to be granted this honor .

Probably, the most surprising, yet the most logical one is that no living person can be portrayed in American currency. Since the Founding Fathers considered it unpatriotic to be portrayed while alive, this was first a tradition and then made official in an Act of Congress in 1866 .

However, contrary to popular belief, this honor is not only reserved for presidents! Anyone who contributes to the nation can be portrayed.

4

Folding Papers

Image: Emilio Takas

Bills come and go all the time. We take them out of our pockets and put them in our purses only to take them out again a few hours later and give them to the shop assistant. For a life that busy, we can only hope the paper is tough enough , right?

Well, as a matter of fact, it is. Compared to regular paper, which can only be folded 400 times before it breaks, money paper can be folded up to 8,000 times before it breaks .

It's not that you’re going to try it out and see, but you can rest assured: Fold your bills away, they can handle it!

5

Damaged Goods

Image: Jp Valery

Even if they can be folded that many times, the life of bills is limited, not to mention accidents happen. Who hasn’t sent a bill to the washing machine by chance?

So, what happens when a bill is damaged? Well, at least 50% of it has to be clearly identifiable for the bank to replace it , otherwise, you’ll just lose your money. You don’t feel like folding them much now, right?

On the other hand, and mainly due to time damage, at least 70% of the new bills are used to replace old bills . These bills, once taken out of circulation are shredded and sent to companies that can recycle them!

6

Security Features

Image: Colin Watts

Counterfeiting has been a problem ever since paper money was created and statistics about which countries counterfeited most of the money are simply shocking. But we won’t get into that.

What we will say is that thanks to technological advancement, the U.S. bill is getting harder and harder to counterfeit. In modern bills, there are at least six security features which are: UV security ribbon, raised printing, microprinting, 3D security ribbon, color-shifting ink, and traditional watermarks. Do you pay attention to them?

7

U.S. Coins

Image: Kenny Eliason

Coin production in America is in charge of the U.S. Mint and there are four production facilities across the country. They are located in Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, and West Point.

It is estimated that every year the Mint produces about 16 trillion coins which are valued at over $1.09 billion dollars. What is truly impressive is that Americans throw away an estimated 62 million dollars worth of coins every day!

They may not be worth much alone but don’t throw them away, all of them together can make you rich!

8

Green Ink

Image: maria pagan

Have you ever wondered why the U.S. dollar bills were green? It is not about design or aesthetics, even if we think they look pretty.

The decision to use green ink was a matter of security, in order to prevent counterfeiting. Back then, black and white ink made it easier to create photographic fakes. For that reason, green was the color of choice, and, when paper money was standardized in 1929, it had great acceptance due to the positive connotations of the color . Do you like it?

9

Andrew Jackson’s Take on Paper Money

Image: Elsa Olofsson

Every denomination has an important figure stamped on the front. In the case of the 20-dollar bill, Andrew Jackson was the chosen one.

Jackson was the seventh president of the United States and, even if it is not a rule that only presidents can be portrayed, his contributions gained him this honor.

Ironically, Jackson was not in favor of using paper money. For him, only gold and silver coins should have remained legal tender. After learning this, one can only assume he wouldn’t be so happy to be the face of the 20-dollar bill, right?

10

Facelifts and redesigns

Image: Kenny Eliason

One of the ways of keeping paper money safe and hard to counterfeit is by giving the bills new designs.

New faces were expected to appear in future bills, but, in the meantime, the changes always had to do with the proportions of the elements within each denomination. Bigger faces, rearrangement of the signatures, stuff like that.

Now, these changes and facelifts haven’t reached all the bills. 1-dollar bills haven’t been changed or redesigned ever since 1929. Why is that? Because it is not worth the trouble for criminals to counterfeit. One dollar won’t take them too far!

1

Ford

Image: Ross Sokolovski

What is to say about Ford that hasn’t been said already? This omnipresent American car brand, founded by Henry Ford in 1903, is popularly known as the auto manufacturer responsible for putting America on wheels. Ford’s first car, the Model A , was assembled at a plant in Detroit.

The Model T was an affordable, reliable, and efficient vehicle . Within 10 years, half the cars in America were Model T’s. Ford created the world’s first moving assembly line for cars, which would change the industry forever. This invention allowed the company to produce one Model T in under thirty seconds.

2

Chevrolet

Image: Gary Sandoz

Another legendary brand, Chevrolet was founded in 1911, in Detroit, Michigan, by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant. Chevrolet introduced its first model, which was the Series C Classic Six and almost three thousand cars were sold the first year.

Chevrolet produced its one-millionth vehicle in the 1920s. In the late 1920s, Chevrolet surpassed Ford in sales, becoming the top seller of both cars and trucks. This position for first place went back and forth between the two brands over the years.

3

Jeep

Image: Kenny Eliason

A brand that was born strong, Jeep vehicles were first used in World War II as a reliable ride and then slowly made their way into the American non-military market. This brand is dubbed as a "Go anywhere, Do anything" kind of vehicle, owing to its sturdy frame and powerful engine.

Nowadays Jeep is popular among off-roaders and has several classic models in its roster, including the Wrangler, Cherokee, and Grand Cherokee, among others.

4

Dodge

Image: Dan Gold

Believe it or not, Dodge was a bicycle maker before being a car maker . The brand, established in 1900 dealt with bicycles in the first place and then started supplying car parts before deciding to get into the production of vehicles in 1914.

In the early 1920s, after the original founders passed away Chrysler bought the brand and continued producing successful cars, among them, the Ram, the Charger, the Caravan, and many others.

5

GMC

Image: todd kent

Another hugely successful American brand is GMC. The General Motor Truck Company came into existence in 1911. Over the years, the company started manufacturing large powerful vehicles including SUVs, vans, and a massive range of trucks. Popular GMC models include Acadia, Canyon, Sierra, Sienna, and Yukon among others.

6

Cadillac

Image: Sidney Pearce

The most famous luxury car in America, Cadillac owes its name to Antoine Laumet de La Mothe Cadillac, a French adventurer who discovered the city of Detroit. Believe it or not, passenger seats and an enclosed cabin were introduced for the very first time by Cadillac because, well, that was considered a luxury back then.

Some famous Cadillac car brands include the Camaro, Silverado, Tahoe, and Impala, among others.

7

Lincoln

Image: Arvin Dale

Other than Cadillac, most people would say Lincoln if asked for a luxury car brand, since this company is also a pioneer in this segment. This popular American car manufacturer started making luxury vehicles in 1917, at a time when the concept was not affordable for many.

Some classic Lincoln cars that are timeless to date include the Zephyr, the Town Car, the Mark LT, and the Navigator SUV. The latest SUVs popular among car enthusiasts include the Nautilus, MKC, Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair.

8

Tesla

Image: Tesla Fans Schweiz

Not many car brands have become so iconic in as few years as Tesla has and there is a simple reason for this: this American car brand revolutionized regular automobiles and made them electric . It had been done before, yes. But not with this level of success.

Tesla is a pioneer in reducing the carbon footprint of the environment with its electric vehicles. Many auto manufacturers are now following in Tesla’s footsteps. The revolutionary company unveiled its first creation called the Tesla Roadster in 2008.

9

Buick

Image: Mohammad Hoseini Rad

Buick is one of the oldest automobile brands in the world, having been founded in 1899. The company has a long history of producing high-quality, luxury, and performance-oriented vehicles and has been a part of General Motors since 1908.

In recent years, Buick has seen a decline in sales in the United States and has focused on the Chinese market where the brand has experienced success. Buick has shifted its focus towards producing more crossover and SUV models to meet the demand for larger vehicles in the current market.

10

Oldsmobile

Image: Hombre

Honoring its name, Oldsmobile, like the aforementioned Buick, was one of the oldest automobile brands in the United States, being founded in 1897. It initially gained popularity through innovations such as the first mass-produced car and the first automatic transmission.

In the mid-20th century, it was known for its performance and style, being a public favorite. However, by the late 1990s, Oldsmobile’s sales began to decline, leading to its discontinuation in 2004 as part of General Motors’ restructuring.

1

The Whaley House in San Diego, California

Image: Ivan Borinschi

The Whaley House is one of the few homes officially deemed "haunted" by the US government. Visitors report footsteps echoing in empty hallways, cold spots that won’t go away, and spectral figures on the stairs. How did it come to this? Built in 1857 by Thomas Whaley, the house stands on the site of former gallows. Whaley installed San Diego’s first brick house, which included a courtroom, general store, and theater space.

Unfortunately, Whaley’s daughter died by suicide in the house, and other family members passed away under the same roof. Accumulated tragedies and a spooky old house were enough to turn this eerie spot into a museum.

2

The Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, California

Image: pure julia

Built in 1927, this glamorous hotel hosted the very first Academy Awards. Stars like Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, and Marilyn Monroe were among its esteemed guests. But, according to recent visitors, Monroe never really checked out.

She is said to appear in a mirror that once hung in her poolside suite. Guests have reported seeing the reflection of a blonde woman behind them, only to turn around and find no one there. How would you react?

3

The White House in Washington, D.C.

Image: Suzy Brooks

Did you expect to find America’s most powerful address on this list? As it turns out, presidents, first ladies, and staff have all reported eerie encounters over the years, with Abraham Lincoln’s presence as a recurring theme.

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands allegedly fainted after seeing his ghost, and Eleanor Roosevelt claimed to feel his presence. Even Winston Churchill and Ronald Reagan contributed to the stories of a mysterious presence in the Lincoln Bedroom. Reagan famously reported that his dog, Rex, refused to enter the room.

4

The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California

Image: Brett Wharton

When it comes to haunted mansions, Sara Winchester’s old Victorian-Gothic house will always sit in the podium.

After her wealthy husband and several family members died within months of each other , Sara began commissioning the construction of this puzzling house, which remained under continuous construction for 38 years. Naturally, it’s a bit of a labyrinth.

With staircases that lead nowhere, séance rooms, and flickers of shadowy figures here and there, the house stands as a monument to grief—and to ghosts.

5

The Villisca Axe Murder House in Villisca, Iowa

Image: Kevin Schmid

It might look like a quaint white farmhouse, but in 1912, it was the site of one of America’s most brutal unsolved murders. The Moore family and two guests were killed with an axe while they slept. There were no witnesses, and no real explanation was ever found.

Today, the house remains frozen in time, restored to its 1912 condition. Creaking floors, oil lamps, and a whole lot of uneasy silence.

6

Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, Massachusetts

Image: Bee Felten-Leidel

You know the rhyme: "Lizzie Borden took an axe…" This New England house was the scene of one of America’s most infamous double murders in 1892. Lizzie was acquitted, but many believe she was responsible for the deaths of her father and stepmother, who were found dead under violent and suspicious circumstances.

Today, the house operates as a B&B for the brave and the curious. Guests have reported hearing footsteps, whispers, and even muffled cries coming from empty rooms. Some even choose to sleep in the very bedroom where Abby Borden met her tragic end.

7

The Lemp Mansion in St. Louis, Missouri

Image: Dhruv vishwakarma

Once home to the wealthy Lemp brewing dynasty, the mansion witnessed four family suicides between 1904 and 1949. That’s enough to make anyone who steps inside feel a bit… uncomfortable.

The family was cursed by misfortune: mental illness, failed fortunes, and mysterious deaths. Guests now report heavy footsteps in empty halls, strange knocking, and even ghostly apparitions—especially in the downstairs bathroom, where one Lemp took his own life. Today, it operates as a restaurant and inn.

8

Franklin Castle in Cleveland, Ohio

Image: Rob Potter

This Victorian mansion looks like it was designed to be haunted. Built in 1881 by Hannes Tiedemann, the home witnessed the deaths of several of his children and his wife within a short period.

Since then, tales of secret passageways, Nazi spies, and ghostly weeping have become forever attached to the castle. Owners have come and gone , but as the locals expected, none have chosen to stay.

9

The Sallie House in Atchison, Kansas

Image: Caroline Rogers

What began as a doctor’s residence in the 1800s took a dark turn when a young girl named Sallie allegedly died on the operating table . Her ghost, people say, began tormenting a later male resident, scratching, shoving, and even burning him.

Paranormal teams have confirmed that lights flicker, toys move on their own, and male visitors, especially, report sudden feelings of hostility.

10

The House of Death in New York, New York

Image: With Paul

Behind the brownstone elegance of 14 West 10th Street in Greenwich Village lies one of NYC’s darkest secrets: over 20 reported deaths have occurred there.

Mark Twain was its most famous tenant , living there briefly in 1900. He once recounted a story about a floating log inside the house, but insisted that a rodent must have been responsible. Paranormal enthusiasts, however, refuse to believe his explanation and now claim that Twain’s ghost also haunts the house.

11

The Joshua Ward House in Salem, Massachusetts

Image: Blake Cheek

This Georgian brick home sits under a dark curse in Salem. Its original land once held the jail of Sheriff George Corwin, infamous for torturing accused witches during the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Known as the "Strangler," Corwin died of a heart attack at age 30 and was secretly buried in the basement.

Today’s residents and visitors report strangled sensations, cold drafts, and photographic anomalies—including a famous 1980s photo that appears to show a ghostly woman dressed in black with no eyes.

12

LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans, Louisiana

Image: Alain Pierre-Lys

Few stories are darker than that of Madame Delphine LaLaurie, a socialite whose elegant French Quarter mansion concealed an appalling secret. In 1834, a fire revealed a hidden attic where enslaved individuals had been cruelly confined under horrific conditions.

LaLaurie fled to Paris, but the ghost stories remained. Visitors claim to hear moans and phantom footsteps and to see shadowy figures. Actor Nicolas Cage once purchased the property but quickly sold it, claiming bad luck followed him.

13

The Bell Witch Cabin in Adams, Tennessee

Image: Alex Vinogradov

This cabin marks the site of one of America’s oldest and most documented hauntings: that of the Bell Witch . This ghost received the nickname for haunting the Bell family in the 1800s. For years, the family endured a spirit that scratched walls, pulled hair, and even spoke in full sentences.

Legend has it that the entity killed patriarch John Bell. To this day, the rebuilt cabin and nearby cave remain popular destinations for ghost hunters.

14

The Riddle House in West Palm Beach, Florida

Image: Braden Wagner

Originally a funeral home (already a chilling start, right?), the Riddle House was later converted into a private residence. The story goes that it became haunted after an employee named Joseph hanged himself in the attic.

The house was eventually moved to Yesteryear Village to be preserved as a historical site, but it seems the ghosts made the trip too.