Fads

Vintage Tupperware, in all its pastel glory, has come to symbolize 1960s domesticity in the United States. But how did these still-popular plastic containers get their start?

By Cristen Conger

Or you could use that goofy, flesh-colored substance to block some low-frequency sounds, clean your keyboard or, of course, copy that cool newspaper article you were reading. Stretch your brain even more in How Silly Putty Works.

By William Harris

The beloved hula hoop has zipped around the hips of fire dancers, video game assassins and regular folks for centuries. Step into the circle of fun with How Hula Hoops Work.

By Robert Lamb

In the 1960s, the concept of "flower power" encapsulated the hippie counterculture's peaceful response to social unrest. Who popularized this idea?

By Cristen Conger

'Come on, baby, let's do the Twist!' That's the call heard 'round the world in 1960 when Chubby Checker's dance song hit the airwaves. But how did the simple Twist leave such an indelible impression on generations since then?

By Julia Layton

What do you get when you take a gooey, rubberlike substance and compress it under 3,500 pounds of pressure? A SuperBall! Do you know what else makes this big bouncer so super?

By William Harris

With stage revivals of "Saturday Night Fever," it's clear that the leisure suit has never entirely faded from cultural consciousness. Perhaps it's the everlasting nature of poly fibers, but what's made the suit of the '70s a fad with such permanence?

By Julia Layton

Think Disco Demolition Night was the death of the catchy, danceable music of the 1970s? The name "disco" may have faded, but not the music to help you shake your groove thing.

By Molly Edmonds

It happens at concerts and live events all across the United States -- inevitably, someone screams out "Play 'Freebird'!" Where did this musical fad -- awesome to some, annoying to others -- come from?

By Karen Kirkpatrick

Injection-molded soft plastic footwear -- jellies to the rest of us -- is the fad that just doesn't quit. Whether you wore the glittery, perforated version in the '80s, or prefer the opaque ballet flat variety today.

By Jessika Toothman

Michael Jackson backslid his way into history when he performed the moonwalk in 1983, and the iconic dance step has been associated with him ever since. But did he actually invent it?

By Shanna Freeman

Are you the type who wouldn't be caught dead without your makeup? You're not alone; even ancient Egyptians were known to have makeup kits buried with them in their tombs. But the history, ingredient and safety concerns are just part of how makeup works.

By Molly Edmonds

As fashion, fetish and historical foundation, the corset continues to fascinate. Think you know the scoop on this misunderstood garment? Think again!

By Craig Haggit

Dreadlocks have been worn for thousands of years and in countries across the globe. Anyone with any hair texture (and a lot of patience) can grow them. Find out more about the hairstyle and the people who wear it.

By Matt Sailor & Yves Jeffcoat

It might be called flavor tripping, but there are no drugs involved. People pop a berry known as miracle fruit and marvel as sweet becomes sour and savory becomes sweet. What is this magical berry? How does this "miracle" happen?

By Molly Edmonds

At the end of the day, do you like to unwind with a cold drink? Perhaps a bubble bath or a nice, long walk? If beating someone to a bloody pulp is more your style, you may be in luck: A real-life fight club could be just a Web search away.

By Josh Clark

Hundreds of people are protesting down the street. The police arrive and find -- no one? The protesters are gone, but how did they know what to do?

By Josh Clark

Everything new is old again in the world of steampunk. Steampunk artists overhaul technology with a neo-Victorian style. But what makes the gadgets so expensive?

By Jonathan Strickland

Ron Popeil has made a name for himself by selling unique and quirky items on TV such as the Veg-O-Matic. Popeil is an inventor who has made millions of dollars selling his products through infomercials. See our list of 11 items sold by Ron Popeil.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

The '70s saw some funky fads, like mood rings, disco balls, and roller skates. Explore the funkiest on this list of 8 funky fads of the 1970s.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

"The question isn't 'What are we going to do?' The question is, 'What aren't we going to do?'" said Ferris in the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." And that quote pretty much sums up the fads of this decade.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd. & Clint Pumphrey

We like defining decades by their trends, fads and fashion. The '90s are a little hard to define, because the '80s were so easy to describe, but here are a few fantastic fads that are all '90s, all the way.

By Ed Grabianowski

The 1960s were a groovy time, with fads like the lava lamp and go-go boots making their debut. Find out what the grooviest crazes of the 60s were.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Swanson TV dinners were developed in 1953 when families were watching shows such as "I Love Lucy". Read more about the history of Swanson TV dinners.

By John Fuller

Geek chic: Is it a style, a trend, a movement, a cultural shift or just a love affair with all things uncool? First off, what is a geek? If you're getting ready to argue about this definition, you might be one of them.

By Katie Lambert