Economy
Discover facts about economy. Small discoveries that change the way you see familiar things.
Economy
Why going bankrupt once meant breaking a bench
The phrase 'going broke' is entirely literal, dating back to dramatic Italians destroying their own office furniture. In Renaissance Italy, money lending was…
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Why Chuck E. Cheese destroyed 7 billion tickets
When Chuck E. Cheese filed for bankruptcy in 2020, they faced a bizarre logistical nightmare: 7 billion paper prize tickets sitting in a warehouse. If these…
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The store loyalty points people used as money
In a beautiful display of Canadian politeness and economic absurdity, Canadian Tire stores issued so much colorful loyalty paper money that it became a de…
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The US government has a unit that rebuilds ruined money
If your dog eats your life savings, there is still hope. The US Bureau of Engraving and Printing operates a highly specialized Mutilated Currency Division.…
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Why hair dye boxes promise impossible results
The model on the cardboard box never used the product inside. Drugstore hair colors display vibrant, salon-perfect results on the packaging to lure buyers in,…
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Destination weddings can shift much of the cost from couples to their guests
Why pay for a massive local reception when you can make your friends fund your vacation? By moving the event to a tropical beach, couples drastically reduce…
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Golf clubs promise impossible distance gains yearly
Hope springs eternal on the fairway. Equipment manufacturers release new drivers every single spring, mathematically promising an extra ten yards of distance.…
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Roller coasters sell photos of your genuine terror
A microsecond of screaming is worth twenty bucks. Roller coasters are outfitted with high-speed cameras placed exactly at the most terrifying drop, capturing…
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The expensive business of kids’ sports
Welcome to the industrial complex of amateur sports. Travel leagues convince parents that their ten-year-old needs hotel stays and premium tournament entry…
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Why people buy vinyl without a turntable
Music has officially transitioned from audio to pure interior design. A staggering percentage of new vinyl records are purchased by fans who do not even own a…
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Why winter weddings can cost more
Love is in the air, and so are opportunistic markups. Because a massive percentage of couples get engaged around the late December holidays, venues and…
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Where sorority dues really go
Sisterhood comes with a tremendous amount of administrative overhead. While students think their dues fund local campus parties, a massive chunk is actually…
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A baby's first birthday is really for the parents
The guest of honor cannot even walk, yet the catering bill is staggering. The modern first birthday has morphed into a massive social flex, where event…
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Yearbook publishing relies on pure nostalgia
Monetizing memories is incredibly lucrative. Schools heavily push yearbook sales by implying that failing to buy one means erasing your youth. In reality, it…
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Bowling alleys enforce shoe rules to save floors
Those hideous clown shoes are not about fashion or hygiene. Alleys force you to borrow their specialized footwear primarily because street shoes bring in dirt…
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Why throw pillows can cost more than couches
The smallest item on the sofa makes the most money. Furniture stores offer heavily discounted couches to get you in the door, but they make up all the lost…
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Why your favorite makeup shade suddenly disappears
Finding your perfect color match is a curse. Cosmetics companies routinely discontinue popular shades on purpose, forcing devastated customers to come back…
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How yoga pants made workout clothes acceptable everywhere
Comfort finally won the ultimate war against denim. By convincing the public that stretchy workout gear was acceptable office attire, apparel companies…
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Why Black Friday appliances may be cheaper
That unbelievably cheap television is cheap for a reason. Manufacturers create specific derivative models for holiday sales events, stripping out key…
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Why clothing brands make sizes look smaller
Congratulations, you are suddenly a size smaller without exercising. Apparel brands deliberately label larger dimensions with smaller size numbers to give…
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Sports jerseys change minor details annually
True fans must demonstrate loyalty through endless consumerism. Professional sports teams tweak jersey collars or sleeve stripes every single year just to…
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Why prom dresses are designed to be worn once
Teenagers are basically bullied into high fashion. The prom industry churns out heavily embellished gowns mimicking celebrity trends, knowing full well the…
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Why wedding venues charge you to remove chairs
You actually have to pay them to do less work. If you bring in outside chairs or ask a venue to change their standard setup, they frequently hit you with a…
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Why returned clothes may never reach a store rack
Returning that cheap shirt does not mean it goes back on a rack. Processing and inspecting returns often costs more than making a new garment entirely, so…
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