1

Barack Obama

Image: History in HD

We’ll begin with our most recent Laureate President. You’ll quickly notice that many U.S. Presidents have made it to this list, which seems only fitting considering their paramount efforts in maintaining world peace.

In this regard, President Obama is no exception, and in 2009 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples."

2

Al Gore

Image: Markus Spiske

The only American Vice President on this list, Al Gore, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for his "efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change." Gore has been a long-time advocate for fighting climate change, and his endeavors were featured in the Academy Award-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth .

Nowadays, Al Gore continues to educate the world about environmentalism and the perils of climate change. In 2021, he addressed the United Nations during their Climate Change Conference.

3

Martin Luther King Jr.

Image: Unseen Histories

No other figure represents the fight for Civil Rights in America as Martin Luther King Jr. does. In 1964, Reverend King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for "his non-violent struggle for civil rights for the Afro-American population."

King, who was 35 years old at the time, became the youngest Peace Prize recipient in history. This title is now held by Malala Yousafzai, who was awarded the Prize at 17 years of age, in 2014.

4

Richard P. Feynman

Image: Zoltan Tasi

From his bongo playing to his iconic studying technique, American theoretical physicist Richard Feynman has become a pop culture icon. In 1965, Feynman received the Nobel Prize in Physics alongside Julian Schwinger and Shin'ichirō Tomonaga "for their fundamental work in quantum electrodynamics."

While Feynman was by no means the first (nor will be the last) American Nobel-winning physicist, his recognition is still remembered fondly by the scientific community. With the money from the award, Feynman and his wife purchased a beach house in Baja California, Mexico.

5

Bob Dylan

Image: weston m

Bob Dylan is known as "The Voice of a Generation" and with good reason: his songs of protest and insightful lyrics have inspired generations of Americans for almost 70 years. Dylan is truly a renaissance man, being an accomplished musician, painter, and, perhaps more importantly for this list, writer.

In 2016, Bob Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition." Fellow American musician (and die-hard Bob Dylan fan) Patti Smith performed a heartfelt rendition of his classic song "A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall" during his Nobel ceremony.

6

Jimmy Carter

Image: Library of Congress

At almost 100 years of age, Jimmy Carter’s life has been filled with outstanding achievements and awards. In that sense, it is rather remarkable that our 39th President’s Nobel Peace Prize was awarded almost 20 years after he left the White House.

In 2002, President Carter received the Peace Prize for "his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts." His award mostly acknowledged his work with the Carter Center and their exceptional work in defending and promoting human rights around the world.

7

Ernest Hemingway

Image: Annie Lang

"Beige" prose master and iconic American author Ernest Hemingway was awarded the Nobel Literature Prize in 1954 for his "mastery of the art of narrative". The Nobel Foundation specially cited Hemingway’s then most recent novel, The Old Man and the Sea , as a contributing factor in their decision.

At the time of his award, Hemingway was recuperating from an airplane accident and didn’t travel to Stockholm to receive the award. He did, however, send a speech to be read at the ceremony, in which he stated that "Writing, at its best, is a lonely life."

8

John Forbes Nash

Image: Roman Mager

American mathematician John Forbes Nash was brought into the spotlight thanks to the 2001 film A Beautiful Mind , in which Nash was portrayed by Russell Crowe. Thanks to this movie, the whole world was able to learn about Nash’s troubled but extraordinary life and the amazing theories that earned him a Nobel Prize in Economics in 1994.

Nash is mostly remembered for his groundbreaking contributions to the mathematical field known as "game theory." He was awarded the prize alongside John Harsanyi and Reinhard Selten "for their pioneering analysis of equilibria in the theory of non-cooperative games."

9

Toni Morrison

Image: Isaac N.

American novelist Toni Morrison was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993 when she was 62 years of age. A few years earlier, Morrison received the Pulitzer Prize for her groundbreaking 1988 novel Beloved , which was instrumental in her Nobel nomination.

The Nobel Foundation acknowledged Morrison’s extraordinary talent, recognizing her as a writer "who in novels characterized by visionary force and poetic import, gives life to an essential aspect of American reality."

10

Theodore Roosevelt Jr.

Image: Library of Congress

We’ll end this article with the very first American to win a Nobel Prize. Our 26th President received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906, in recognition of his tremendous and successful efforts in ending the Russo-Japanese War.

Roosevelt was not only the first American but also the very first statesman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. While at the time this award was deemed controversial, ultimately the Nobel Foundation decided to acknowledge Roosevelt’s "role in bringing to an end the bloody war recently waged between two of the world's great powers, Japan and Russia."

1

Coca-Cola

Image: Bradley Pisney

A beverage so iconic that it inspired an entire genre of soft drinks named after it, Coca-Cola had its start in 1886 when it was created by pharmacist John Pemberton, who initially intended to market it as a temperance drink and medicinal tonic.

A blend of coca leaves and kola nuts (a source of caffeine), the iconic soft drink became a sensation, and soon Pemberton sold the ownership rights to Asa Griggs Candler, a businessman who transformed the Coca-Cola brand into a global powerhouse. While the ingredients have been changed a few times since its inception, the current formula remains a closely guarded trade secret, fueling much speculation and numerous attempts to uncover it.

2

Pepsi

Image: Oleg Ivanov

Developed in 1898 by pharmacist Caleb Bradham—and originally named "Brad's Drink"—Pepsi was initially conceived as a digestive aid. Its name is derived from pepsin, a digestive enzyme produced by the body, though pepsin was never actually included in the drink's formula.

Despite nearly going bankrupt in the early 1920s, Pepsi gained popularity during the Great Depression, even briefly outpacing Coca-Cola, thanks to clever marketing that appealed to budget-conscious consumers. This kickstarted a fierce rivalry, leading to bold marketing stunts, including an unlikely deal with the Soviet Union, making Pepsi the first Western product sanctioned for sale there.

3

Dr Pepper

Image: Yana Smetana

Another soft drink originally conceived in a pharmacist's lab, Dr Pepper actually predates both Coke and Pepsi. Launched in 1885 in Waco, Texas, its unique flavor sets it apart from most competitors. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has categorized Dr Pepper, much like Coca-Cola, as its own distinct type of beverage: "pepper soda."

The origin of its name is disputed. Originally, people would simply order a "Waco" at soda fountains. While some speculate the name comes from Charles T. Pepper, a doctor who gave Wade Morrison his first job (or, according to another version, gave him permission to marry his daughter), it was more likely than not a creative marketing decision, as using "Dr." in product names was a common way to suggest health benefits.

4

7UP

Image: Julian Rösner

7UP, created in 1929 by Charles Leiper Grigg, was originally marketed as "Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda," as it contained lithium citrate (a mood-stabilizing drug) among its ingredients. While lithium was removed in 1948, the drink's refreshing lemon-lime flavor remained, having already become a household favorite.

The soft drink, however, didn’t quite find its market niche until it launched the "Uncola" marketing campaign in the 1970s, which positioned the soda as a distinct alternative to colas, boosting its popularity. The origin of the name 7UP remains a mystery, with speculation that it refers to the original 7-ounce bottles or the drink’s initial seven ingredients.

5

Sprite

Image: Gift Habeshaw

Introduced by Coca-Cola in 1961 to compete with 7UP, Sprite quickly became one of the leading lemon-lime sodas on the market. Interestingly, this popular soft drink didn’t originate in America but in West Germany in 1959, where it was launched as "Fanta Klare Zitrone" ("Fanta Clear Lemon" in English).

In the ‘80s, Sprite leveraged its appeal to younger generations through bold advertising campaigns and endorsements from popular musicians. Today, the brand has expanded into various flavors, including cranberry, cherry, grape, orange, tropical, ginger, and vanilla, among others.

6

Mountain Dew

Image: Shane

Mountain Dew was originally created in the 1940s by Tennessee beverage bottlers Barney and Ally Hartman as a mixer for whiskey. The name "Mountain Dew" was a colloquial term for homemade liquor, making it fitting for the soda’s Appalachian roots. However, the drink only took on its citrus-flavored, energizing modern form after being acquired by the Tip Corporation in 1961.

It remains one of the most caffeinated sodas on the market, containing 54 mg of caffeine per 12-ounce can—nearly double that of Coca-Cola. This is likely what draws many soda drinkers to this flavor, as the high sugar and caffeine content can give a short-term boost of energy.

7

RC Cola

Image: Brooke Cagle

Founded in 1905 by Claud A. Hatcher, Royal Crown Cola (RC Cola) was originally created as a direct competitor to Coca-Cola and Pepsi. The soft drink was born after the Hatcher family, who were grocery store owners, could not get a discount for purchasing large volumes of Coca-Cola syrup from local distributors. Frustrated, they vowed to create their own alternative.

Despite never achieving the same market dominance as Coke or Pepsi, RC Cola soon gained a loyal following, especially in Southern states. Unlike its rivals, RC offered a slightly stronger cola flavor, which many found refreshing compared to the sweeter taste of Coke. RC Cola also innovated with the first aluminum can for sodas and was one of the first companies to produce diet sodas, such as Diet Rite.

8

Fanta

Image: Renato Trentin

Did you know that Fanta was born in Germany during World War II, of all places? After local Coca-Cola plants could no longer import syrup due to trade embargos, German businessman Max Keith created a new soda using available ingredients—which were mostly fruit scraps and whey.

Fanta quickly became a wartime favorite in Germany. After the war, Coca-Cola regained control of the plant, formula, and trademarks, introducing Fanta to the U.S. in 1955. It rapidly gained popularity as a fun, fruit-flavored alternative to traditional sodas. While Fanta's orange flavor remains its best seller, the brand now offers over 90 flavors worldwide.

9

A&W Root Beer

Image: David Lusvardi

A&W Root Beer was introduced in 1919 by Roy Allen, who first started selling it at a parade honoring returning World War I veterans. Its creamy texture and rich flavor quickly made A&W Root Beer a favorite, especially when paired with vanilla ice cream to create the now-iconic root beer float.

By 1922, Roy Allen partnered with fellow entrepreneur Frank Wright, and A&W became a franchised brand, launching one of the first fast-food chains in America that same year. Despite struggling with labor shortages and sugar rationing during World War II, the company endured and remains one of the most iconic root beer brands in America to this day.

10

Sunkist

Image: The Pop'd Shop

Sunkist, launched in 1979 by the Sunkist Growers cooperative, was introduced to tap into the American love for citrus-flavored sodas. Known and loved for its bold orange flavor, Sunkist was the first major orange soda to include caffeine in its formula, setting it apart from competitors like Crush and Fanta.

Most importantly, Sunkist's success was greatly boosted by its association with the California citrus industry. Its marketing campaigns, including the "Taste the Sun" slogan, further linked the brand to sunny, vibrant outdoor activities, making it one of the top-selling orange sodas in the U.S. for decades.

1

The moon landing: staged in Arizona?

Image: NASA

Back in 1969, Americans watched Neil Armstrong take one small step for man on TV. But not long after, rumors started floating around that it was all filmed on a Hollywood-style set somewhere in the desert. Books and even a movie helped the idea spread. Still, with hundreds of pounds of moon rocks and decades of scientific study to back it up, it seems pretty clear the only thing fake was the rumor itself.

2

The dead internet theory: bots gone wild

Image: Waldemar

According to this theory, you might be talking to a wall online. The idea is that most of the internet isn’t run by people at all but by bots—that is, automated programs pretending to be humans. They supposedly post, reply, and argue, all to keep clicks coming. Even if bots are increasingly popular on some sites and apps, it’s evident that this is nothing but a crazy conspiracy theory!

3

Subliminal advertising: blink and you’ll miss it

Image: Wojtek Witkowski

Remember when people thought ads were sneaking messages into our brains? Some authors were convinced that companies were hiding secret images in movies and commercials to mess with our minds. This theory hit headlines in the ’70s, but most of those claims didn’t hold up under scrutiny. Marketing and advertising do know some tricks around our minds, but your sudden craving for popcorn probably has more to do with the smell than secret mind control.

4

Paul is (not) dead

Image: IJ Portwine

Back in the swinging ’60s, a bizarre rumor began circulating: Paul McCartney had supposedly died and been replaced by a lookalike. Fans claimed to find hidden clues in Beatles albums, like barefoot walks and cryptic lyrics. The theory quickly crossed borders and spread worldwide. But don’t worry, Paul was (and still is) very much alive, touring, and giving interviews.

5

Roswell: crash course in confusion

Image: Rishabh Sharma

Something definitely fell near Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947—remember that? The question is, what was it? The government first hinted at flying saucers , then changed the story to a weather balloon. That was all it took for conspiracy theories about aliens to bloom. Years later, it turned out the object was actually a Cold War–era military balloon from a classified program. No aliens—just some top-secret tech.

6

Chemtrails: clouds of confusion

Image: Val Vesa

Those streaks behind planes? They’re called contrails, and they’re mostly made of water vapor. But some believe they’re really "chemtrails" (chemical agents sprayed into the sky). Theories range from weather control to population mind games. Scientists have tested the air and found nothing unusual, but some folks still keep looking up and wondering. What do you think?

7

COVID and 5G: a confusing combo

Image: Shiwa ID

When the pandemic hit, it brought more than just a virus. With so much uncertainty, conspiracy theories spread just as fast. One unusual claim linked COVID-19 to 5G technology, even suggesting that vaccines contained tracking chips. Researchers and doctors around the world quickly debunked it all, but it just goes to show how fear and confusion can breed some pretty wild ideas.

8

Birds aren’t real... or are they?

Image: Gareth Davies

This one takes the cake. A satirical movement claims that birds are actually government surveillance drones . What started as a joke by a college student quickly went viral, billboards and all. While some people mistook it for a real conspiracy theory, it’s actually a commentary on how misinformation spreads.

9

Flat Earth: going against the grain

Image: Elena Mozhvilo

Despite centuries of science and countless space photos, some people still believe the Earth is flat . They point to the horizon, question gravity, and invent creative explanations for eclipses and orbits. It’s a belief often fueled by mistrust or ideology, but the round Earth, seen from space, keeps on spinning just the same.

10

Denver Airport: baggage and bunkers

Image: Rocker Sta

Denver’s airport has some… interesting décor. Murals of chaos, red-eyed horses, and creepy gargoyles have sparked rumors that it’s hiding secret bunkers for the Illuminati. While the truth is less exciting (just over-budget construction and bold public art), the place does have a weird vibe that fuels the fun of imagining a secret space beneath the baggage claim. If only!