What do Old West gold miners, biker gangs and Marilyn Monroe all have in common? The same pair of jeans…Invented by a down-on-his-luck immigrant tailor in the 1870s, this classic riveted pant launched a global denim market worth over $70B. How? By teaming up with Levi Strauss & Co., a Gold Rush-era startup that became the most popular clothing brand in America. (Fact: Levi’s won a popularity contest over Nike, Adidas, and Old Navy.) — And it all began with the 501s. Find out how the...

Chances are you’ve got a bottle of Sriracha chilling in your fridge right now, but have no idea who invented it — or the spicy story of how he made it happen. Entrepreneur David Tran fled Vietnam in the late 70s, smuggling gold bars into the US to start his venture - selling hot sauce out of a van. Little did he know his thick, spicy red jalapeño concoction would make him the world’s first hot sauce billionaire…without ever spending a single dollar on advertising (FYI: Kraft dropped $750M on...

The Jeep isn’t just a car, it’s a cult: inspiring clubs, meetups, even its own “Jeep Wave.” From cameos in M*A*S*H to Mean Girls, the Jeep’s been ranked the most patriotic brand in America for 20-straight years (sorry, Coke). But did you know that Jeep actually started as a group project? Learn how three fiercely competitive rivals came together for some emergency teamwork to help Allied Forces win WWII, how a freelance designer almost didn’t get the credit, and how its name was (maybe)...

The Birkenstock Arizona has adorned famous feet from John Lennon’s to Steve Jobs’ to Barbie’s—but the brand itself is older than America, and has gone through more eras than Taylor Swift (plus, won over just as many haters). From a cobbler’s shop in 18th-century Germany to KendaIl Jenner’s Insta feed, this 250-year old shoe brand has found staying power by embracing both 5-star…and 1-star reviews. Learn how an obsessed family of shoemakers created the most comfortable sandal ever, and how an...

Mario isn’t just the most beloved plumber in history - he’s the most successful video game character of all time. With over 800 million games sold, Mario and his brother Luigi have “wahoo-ed” their way into multiple spinoffs, (Mario Kart sesh anyone?) Hollywood blockbusters… even their own amusement park. But the Super Mario Bros. origin story will surprise you like a rogue turtle shell: It features Donkey Kong, Popeye, and an artist from a forest in Kyoto. Find out how an angry landlord...

The Happy Meal is the most successful meal in human history. With over 35 billion units sold, or about four for every person on Earth, McDonald’s iconic “Food and Fun in a Box” has also made the company a bigger toy distributor than Hasbro or Mattel (and maybe even Santa). But few know the Happy Meal’s contested origin story. Was the creator a mom of five in Guatemala, an ad man from Kansas City, or a forgotten franchise called “Burger Chef”? Spoiler, it wasn’t Grimace. Hear how McDonald’s...

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