1

Snickers

Image: Joshua Fernandez

We’ll start this article with an absolute classic. In the 1930s, Mars came up with a now-iconic candy bar packed with peanuts and covered in delicious chocolate. When it came the time to name it, inspiration came from an unlikely source: Snickers are named after the Mars family's favorite horse.

Snickers quickly became a global icon, becoming available in grocery stores and supermarkets worldwide. Nowadays, they come in a huge variety of flavors, including white and milk chocolate, as well as in different products like ice cream.

2

Hershey’s chocolate bar

Image: Janne Simoes

Known as "The Great American Chocolate Bar" , the Hershey’s bar is truly an American tradition. It was first sold in 1900, making it one of the oldest chocolate bars in the United States. However, they continue to be a delicious treat long past their one-hundredth anniversary.

This chocolate bar’s origin is rather interesting. In 1893, Milton Hershey visited the Chicago World’s Fair, where he was impressed with the chocolate manufacturing machinery displayed by the German delegation. The following year, he founded the Hershey Chocolate Company, which developed its own kind of chocolate products.

3

Twizzlers

Image: Filip Mroz

Let’s step away from the chocolatey goodness of our previous entries (don’t worry, there’s a lot more chocolate to go on), and focus on the delightful "Twist You Can't Resist". Twizzlers are one of the most unique candies out there: Their distinctive flavor and fun shape truly set them apart from other products in the market.

You might be surprised to learn that Twizzlers are made by one of the oldest confectioneries in the country: Young and Smylie, the company behind their creation, was founded as far back as 1845. Another fun fact is that, while only their black flavor contains ingredients from the licorice plants, Twizzlers as a whole are considered licorice-type candy.

4

M&Ms

Image: Christopher Ott

Many surveys state that M&Ms are the most popular candy in America. And, to be honest, anyone who has tried these brightly colored pieces of chocolate confectionary probably agrees. With their classic slogan "the milk chocolate that melts in your mouth, not in your hand", M&Ms have been a beloved part of American life since 1941.

Just as cherished as M&Ms themselves are their iconic mascots, which are anthropomorphized pieces of candy. These colorful "spokescandies" have been the company’s representatives since the ‘90s, and have grown to be considered icons of American pop culture.

5

Jelly Belly

Image: Patrick Fore

Choosing a single brand of jelly beans to include in this article was no easy task, but we ultimately decided to give Jelly Belly this spot. After all, they were famously the most beloved snack of Ronald Reagan, and share a long and fun history with our 40th President.

This love story began in the 1960s when Reagan decided to quit smoking and turned to jelly beans as a replacement. By the time he reached the White House, Jelly Belly had become the de-facto presidential snack: A jar filled with jelly beans was regularly seen on the president’s desk.

6

Baby Ruth

Image: Ric Matkowski

No one can deny that Baby Ruth is a popular product: This delicious nougat-filled candy bar has been around since 1920. However, did you know that they were originally called "Kandy Kakes"? Not only that, there’s a small controversy related to the current name we know and love.

According to the Curtiss Candy Company, the name "Baby Ruth" was inspired by Ruth Cleveland , daughter of President Grover Cleveland. However, it doesn’t take a keen observer to realize that this is particularly similar to the name of baseball legend Babe Ruth, whose fame was skyrocketing in the 1920s. "The Sultan of Swat" even sued the candy company for using his name, but ultimately lost the case.

7

Candy corn

Image: Debby Hudson

This is perhaps the most polarizing piece of candy on this list. With its distinctive shape and bright colors, Candy Corn is either beloved or hated. In any case, it is one of the most popular candies during Halloween, becoming synonymous with this festivity.

Candy Corn is also one of the oldest candies in America, having been produced since the 1880s by the Wunderle Candy Company. It was originally known as " Chicken Feed " because of its resemblance to corn kernels used to feed poultry.

8

Sour Patch Kids

Image: Vinicius Amano

We’ve been mostly focusing on sweet products so far, so let’s take a small jump in the opposite direction. Sour Patch Kids, known for their slogan "Sour Then Sweet" , are famous for their initial tart and sharp taste that gradually gives way to a sweeter flavor. The contrast of both sensations is what makes this soft candy so iconic, which has been standing strong for almost 40 years.

Created in the 1970s, Sour Patch Kids were originally named "Mars Men". However, by 1985 the product was rebranded to the name we now know, possibly to capitalize on the popularity of the Cabbage Patch Kids, an extremely popular toy at the time.

9

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Image: Heather Barnes

We would like to take a moment to honor the innovator who realized that peanut butter and chocolate are a match made in heaven : Whoever you are, good sir or madam, we salute you. And while we can’t celebrate this anonymous hero, we can thank the man who brought us the quintessential pairing of these ingredients: H. B. Reese, creator of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

In 1928, the H.B. Reese Candy Company started selling their peanut butter cups, at the time known as " Penny Cups " since they were sold for one cent. Reese, who formerly worked at a Hershey dairy farm, used Hershey chocolate in all his products. By the 1960s, the company merged with the Hershey Chocolate Corporation, which continues to produce these delicious cups.

10

Milk duds

Image: Moritz Kindler

Milk Duds are truly living proof that mistakes can lead to wonderful opportunities. These delicious pieces of chocolate candy are known for their irregular shape , which is a direct result of a lucky accident.

In 1928, Hoffman and Company of Chicago attempted to create a perfectly spherical chocolate-covered candy but failed in every attempt to achieve this shape. These failed attempts were called "duds", which is a term used to describe a device or equipment that failed to work as intended. Over time, these duds inspired the name of this product and eventually evolved to become our beloved Milk Duds.

1

It was built for the Seattle World’s Fair

Image: Seattle Public Library, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons

The Space Needle wasn’t supposed to be a permanent monument. It was completed in 1962 specifically for the Seattle World’s Fair, an event aimed to highlight science, technology, and forward-looking design. During the fair, the tower helped visitors orient themselves within the Seattle Center grounds and served as a central meeting point. After the fair ended, the building was not dismantled, as many other fair structures were. Instead, it remained open to the public and gradually became a regular part of the city’s skyline.

2

The original colors had distinctive Space Age names

Image: Thom Milkovic

When the Space Needle first opened, its paint scheme reflected the era’s optimism about technology and space exploration. The main tower was painted Astronaut White, while the central core used a darker tone called Orbital Olive. Accent areas were finished in Re-Entry Red, and the top featured a warm, yellow-orange color called Galaxy Gold . These names were officially used at the time and appeared in design documents and promotional materials. Although later renovations replaced this scheme with more neutral colors, the original palette shows how strongly the tower’s design was tied to early 1960s ideas about the future.

3

Elvis was there

Image: Courtney Hutchin

Not long after it opened, the Space Needle entered American pop culture. Elvis Presley filmed scenes at the tower for the movie It Happened at the World’s Fair , which was released in 1963. The filming took place shortly after the 1962 World’s Fair, when the structure was still new. At that time, many Americans had never traveled to Seattle, and television and movies were major sources of information about distant cities. Hence, the film helped introduce the Space Needle to a nationwide audience.

4

It was inspired by a UFO

Image: Patrick Hodskins

The building’s most recognizable feature, the round observation deck, was shaped with intention. Designers chose a wide, circular form that reflected the Space Age themes common in the late 1950s and early 1960s. At the time, images of spacecraft and flying saucers appeared often in popular magazines, films, and exhibitions. The Space Needle’s top was meant to echo those ideas in a way that was easy to recognize from a distance. This design helped distinguish the tower from older observation structures and aligned it closely with the forward-looking message of the World’s Fair.

5

It was built in 400 days

Image: Andy Li

Speed mattered. Construction began in 1961, and the entire tower was completed in roughly 400 days so it could open on time for the World’s Fair in 1962. This schedule required crews to work in carefully planned stages, with steel sections fabricated off-site and assembled quickly once delivered. Concrete for the foundation and core had to be poured and set on a tight timeline. Despite the fast pace, engineers followed existing building standards, and inspections were carried out to ensure the tower could safely handle weight, wind, and daily public use.

6

Forget the elevator, take the stairs

Image: HAYOUNG CHO

Most visitors take the elevator, but the Space Needle also has stairs, 848 of them, from the base to the observation level. The stairs are primarily used for maintenance and special events rather than daily tourist access. Structurally, the tower is held together by tens of thousands of bolts and rests on a deep concrete foundation. Engineers designed the foundation and central core to withstand high winds and seismic activity, which are common in the Pacific Northwest. These construction details are not visible to most visitors, but they play a key role in keeping the tower stable and open to the public year after year.

7

It harbored a secret time capsule from the 1980s

Image: Mick Haupt

In 1982, staff placed a time capsule inside one of the Space Needle’s steel beams without a public announcement. The capsule was sealed and left in place as part of a routine update, rather than a formal ceremony. It remained hidden for more than thirty years until it was rediscovered and opened in 2017. Inside were everyday items from the early 1980s, including handwritten letters, photographs, and postcards. Several of these items were saved and included in a new capsule, which is planned to be opened in 2062 to mark the tower’s 100th anniversary.

8

It was the site of a famous April Fools’ prank

Image: Ben Mater

In 1989, a local television station aired a report claiming the Space Needle had collapsed. The segment was intended as an April Fools’ joke and included on-screen text explaining that it was not real. Even so, many viewers did not notice the disclaimer or tuned in late. Emergency phone lines and the station’s own offices received hundreds of calls from concerned residents and relatives. The reaction showed how familiar and important the Space Needle had become to people in Seattle and beyond.

9

There’s a restaurant at the top

Image: Jason Dent

Dining has always been part of the Space Needle experience. A restaurant opened with the tower in 1962 and was designed to give guests a place to eat while overlooking the city. Over the years, the restaurant has changed names, seating arrangements, and menu styles to match new trends and renovations. Despite these updates, the basic idea has stayed the same. Visitors can order food or drinks and spend extended time at the top, rather than just stopping briefly to look out the windows. For many people, the combination of a meal and a wide city view defines the visit.

10

It has the world’s first and only revolving glass floor

Image: Morgan Petroski

A major renovation in 2018 introduced The Loupe, a rotating glass floor in the observation area. The platform moves slowly, allowing visitors to stand in one place while the view changes. Through the clear panels, people can look straight down at streets, buildings, and open spaces below. This is the only revolving glass floor of its kind in the world. The addition shows how the Space Needle continues to update its visitor experience while keeping its original structure intact.

1

Bob Dylan

Image: Laura Ockel

The Nobel Prize-winning singer-songwriter who gave us anthems like "Blowin' in the Wind" is also a passionate metalworker. Dylan spends his downtime in his Black Buffalo Ironworks studio, crafting intricate gates and sculptures from found objects such as farm equipment, tools, and antique firearms.

2

Angelina Jolie

Image: Joshua Sukoff

Angelina Jolie is world-renowned for her celebrated Hollywood career and humanitarian work. But this actress-director also has a license to thrill in the air. Jolie is a certified pilot who owns a Cirrus SR-22 single-engine aircraft, often taking to the skies for both personal adventures and humanitarian missions.

3

Patrick Dempsey

Image: Carl Gelin

There’s more to Patrick Dempsey than being the charming neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd (aka "McDreamy") on Grey's Anatomy . The actor has developed a passion for race car driving , competing in prestigious events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Rolex 24 at Daytona. He even owns his own racing team, Dempsey Racing!

4

Bob Barker

Image: Thao LEE

The iconic game show host who entertained millions on The Price Is Right for 35 years had a surprising secret weapon up his sleeve: karate. Trained by none other than Chuck Norris , he practiced for decades and even earned his black belt.

5

Steve Martin

Image: Chen Mizrach

He's a comedian, actor, writer... and a banjo virtuoso? That's right! The "wild and crazy guy" who brought us hilarious classics like The Jerk and Planes, Trains and Automobiles is also an accomplished banjo player and composer . Steve Martin has released several bluegrass albums, collaborated with legends like Earl Scruggs, and even won a Grammy for his exceptional work.

6

Steve Carell

Image: Matthew Fournier

Known for his hilarious roles and versatile acting career, Steve Carell is also a whiz on the ice. A passionate hockey player since childhood, he has been lacing up his skates whenever possible. He even got the chance to display his skill on an early episode of The Office .

7

Michael Phelps

Image: Will Porada

He’s the most decorated Olympian of all time, boasting 28 swimming medals. But Michael Phelps didn’t stop at the pool—he also picked up a golf club. He is the holder of a Guinness World Record for the longest televised putt . That was an impressive 159 feet.

8

Kobe Bryant

Image: Mirko Fabian

The late NBA legend was not only a basketball icon but also a gifted storyteller. He proved it after retiring from basketball when he founded Granity Studios, a multimedia company focused on creating inspiring content for young athletes .

One of its standout works was the animated short film Dear Basketball —a heartfelt tribute to Bryant’s lifelong passion for the game.

9

Venus Williams

Image: Jean-Philippe Delberghe

Venus Williams, the tennis superstar with seven Grand Slam singles titles and four Olympic gold medals, also has a passion for interior design. She founded V Starr Interiors, a company specializing in creating stylish and functional spaces for both residential and commercial clients. She even has a degree in fashion design !

10

Viggo Mortensen

Image: Karolina Grabowska

Viggo Mortensen is celebrated for his captivating performances in films like The Lord of the Rings and Eastern Promises , but he’s also a man of many talents. In addition to acting, he is a poet, musician, photographer, and publisher .

He founded Perceval Press, an independent publishing house dedicated to promoting the work of artists and writers.

11

Terry Crews

Image: KOBU Agency

Before delivering laughs on Brooklyn Nine-Nine or throwing action-packed punches in The Expendables , Terry Crews was an NFL linebacker. But even before that, this multi-talented actor was a skilled artist. He still creates detailed paintings and illustrations in his spare time.

12

Shaquille O’Neal

Image: Yomex Owo

Shaquille O'Neal earned a place in the Hall of Fame for his legendary basketball career, but his talents extend far beyond sports. He's also an entertainment icon with numerous endorsements and a DJ performing under the name " DJ Diesel ."