A closer look
In a testament to the sheer power of internet irony, a hideous geometric teal carpet installed at the Portland airport in the late 1980s somehow became a cultural icon. Millions of travelers took photos of their shoes standing on the garish pattern, spawning dedicated social media accounts, custom craft beers, and highly coveted merchandise. When the airport finally decided to replace it in 2015, the city practically held a mourning period, proving that people will aggressively romanticize literally anything if they are bored enough.
