The soft drink giant was taken to court years ago by a young man convinced he was able to buy an aircraft from them at a steep discount — Pepsi is one of the most recognized brands around the world. Known best for their popular cola soda (and assortment of other beverages like Mountain Dew and other business ventures like Lays, Doritos and Quaker), they are one of the largest and most influential companies in the world. To get…

Hans Lobert became a friend of the famous military leader because he had so many great stories from his days playing big-league baseball — With a pipe firmly clenched in his teeth, General Douglas MacArthur looked every inch the part of the disciplined American military leader that he was. Although he spent 52 years serving in various and often high-ranking capacities of the armed forces, he somehow found time to also have interests. One…

Even as an old man, Dennis Hanks had fond and extensive recollections of his famous relative — There are few, if any, Presidents in the history of the United States who were more memorable or impactful than Abraham Lincoln. The 16th holder of the office, he stood out for his extreme pragmatism and guidance of the country through the Civil War. However, he came from very humble…

The accidental poisoning of a number of itinerant New Yorkers one fall day caused great alarm with city officials — Medical mysteries are always equal parts terrifying and interesting. Not knowing why something unusual is occurring is unsettling, but can also be a good opportunity to find out exactly what’s going on. One of the most unusual occurrences in recent memory happened in 1944 in Manhattan when 11 different men…

Bathing in olive oil, all-day hair appointments and a savage workout regimen that let her fit into a 19.5 inch corset were all part of her routine — Beauty and fashion have been integral parts of society going back to the first time two people ever saw each other. Over the years, many have gone to extraordinary lengths to enhance their appearance and make themselves stand out. However, perhaps nobody went further than Empress Elisabeth of Austria, whose…

Plans by their controlling interest could help push Lucid Motors forward in their quest to be a power player in electric vehicles — For many years, Saudi Arabia and oil have gone together like bread and butter. However, with a recent global emphasis on moving away from the use of fossil fuels, the country that became so wealthy by supplying much of the world with its black gold, has not remained stubborn and…

A jester popular with England’s Kind Henry II was given a large estate because of his talent passing gas — Over time humans have devised numerous ways to make a living. Some of them are pretty straight forward and address everyday needs of society. Others are a bit more niche, such as the case of Roland the Farter, a court jester who was rewarded with a large estate after years…

40 years ago, Sweden found a very unique way to help combat instances in rabies in the wild — Rabies has long been a horrible disease that impacts humans and animals alike. While society has largely been able to keep it under control amongst the populace, it has proven to continue being a challenge out in the wild. Several decades ago, Sweden hit upon a unique strategy to combat…

A young Vermont boy saved four of his friends from certain death one cold winter day — The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the most prestigious awards someone can win. Around since the American Revolution, it recognizes people, events and institutions for achievements that go well beyond the pale. Former winners have included luminaries like George Washington, the Wright Brothers, Thomas Edison and Jonas Salk. Although…