Urban Boom and Housing Crunch: The Dramatic Rise of U.S. City Home Prices

Between 1980 and 2020, the population of urban areas in the United States saw a surge of nearly 50%. Concurrently, most of these urban regions implemented strict regulations on the construction of new, denser housing. As a result of this combination – the escalating demand due to population growth and...

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Inventing the Iconic: Robert C. Baker and the Birth of Chicken Nuggets

Robert C. Baker, a professor of food science at Cornell University, devised the concept of the chicken nugget in the 1950s. He referred to this new food item as the “Chicken Crispie,” which was a small chunk of chicken enveloped in batter and subsequently deep-fried. Rather than seeking a patent...

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Unconscious Driving: The Phenomenon of Highway Hypnosis

Highway hypnosis, often referred to as white line fever, describes a psychological condition where an individual can navigate a vehicle – be it a car, truck, or any other form of automobile – across vast distances. Despite responding appropriately and safely to their surroundings, these individuals exhibit no conscious memory...

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College Majors and Marriage Rates by Age 30

A research study examined the influence of one’s college major on the likelihood of being married by the age of 30. Education, Plant Science, and Microbiology majors had the highest marriage rates, with 70-80% of them being married by age 30. Conversely, majors in Geography, Theater Arts, Music, Philosophy, and...

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7 Tantalizing Tidbits About the World’s Favorite Pie: Pizza

Get ready to dive into the delicious world of pizza as we serve up seven scrumptious facts about everyone’s favorite comfort food. From its humble beginnings to its global impact, these tidbits will leave you craving a slice and appreciating the rich history behind this irresistible culinary creation. So, grab...

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Nokia’s Rubber Roots: The Evolution of Nokian Footwear

Established in 1865, Nokia has enjoyed a long-standing presence in the business world. Nokia boots, originating from the brand’s early focus on rubber products, are a notable product in their history. Nokian Footwear, a Finnish rubber boot manufacturer, was a division of Nokia—now renowned for mobile phones—from 1967 until 1990,...

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Thanksgiving Nuptials: NYC’s Chinese Immigrant Wedding Rush

In New York City, Thanksgiving holds the distinction of being the preferred wedding day for Chinese immigrants, given that it’s typically the one day when entire families aren’t working. Due to the high demand, restaurants must be reserved a year ahead, and it’s not uncommon for a single venue to...

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Chicago Onion Monopoly: The 1955 Market Manipulation and Subsequent Legislation

The Onion Futures Act is a piece of legislation in the United States that prohibits the trading of onion futures contracts. In 1955, a pair of traders acquired a substantial amount of onions and futures contracts, ultimately gaining control over 98% of the onions in Chicago. To compel growers to...

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