These Weird Historical Trends Probably Wouldn't Catch On Today

Trends change over time, and some of the things that people did a few hundred years ago seem pretty unusual by modern standards. From fern collecting to fawning over men's calves, culture has certainly shifted throughout the decades. TikTok and cringy memes don't seem so bad when compared to these wacky fads...

Uranium Glass

Before people knew that uranium was extremely poisonous, it was used in dinnerware for the rich and powerful. The public couldn't get enough of this glow-in-the-dark element and to have some in your dining room cabinet was a huge way to highlight ones wealth. Little did they know they were drinking themselves to death quicker than they thought. 

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The More You Know

  • The speed of a computer mouse is measured in "Mickeys."
  • War pigs were used in ancient warfare to counter against war elephants, which feared the pigs (and their squeals) and would bolt. War pigs were sometimes lit on fire to enhance this effect.
  • Walt Jr. never encountered Jessie in all 62 episodes of Breaking Bad.
  • Great white sharks are so scared of killer whales that they'll avoid an area for up to a year after spotting one.
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