21 Things That Turned 21 in 2016 - mental_floss List Show Ep. 449

TL;DR

Windows 95, eBay, The Macarena, Starbucks Frappuccino, OJ Simpson's murder trial, The Golden Compass, Pizza Hut stuffed crust pizza, blue M&M, Wishbone, Mad TV, Toy Story, Jumanji, Clueless, Apollo 13, Alanis Morissette's album Jagged Little Pill, Mortal Kombat soundtrack, Missy Franklin, Gabby Douglas, Michaela, Potatoes in space turned 21 in 2016.

Transcript

hi I'm John Green Welcome to My Salon this is Mental Floss video and did you know that 21 years ago it was 1995 I'll let that sink in anyway that means that Windows 95 is officially 21 years old it was released on my 18th birthday August 24th 1995 and from then on computers would never be the same anyway that's the first of 21 things that turned 21... Read More

Key Insights

• 💻 Technological advancements in 1995, such as Windows 95 and eBay, had a significant and lasting impact on the computer industry.
• 🏁 Cultural milestones like the release of The Macarena and the invention of the Starbucks Frappuccino became iconic in popular culture.
• 🧑‍🌾 Legal events like OJ Simpson's murder trial captivated millions of people and had far-reaching consequences in various industries.
• 📺 Books like The Golden Compass, movies like Toy Story and Jumanji, and TV shows like Wishbone and Mad TV became beloved classics.
• 🎼 Significant music albums like Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill and the Mortal Kombat soundtrack gained immense popularity.
• 🤕 Athletes like Missy Franklin, Gabby Douglas, and Michaela excelled in their respective sports, achieving great success at a young age.
• 😋 Interesting food innovations like Pizza Hut's stuffed crust pizza and the introduction of the blue M&M added excitement to the culinary world.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the release of Windows 95 revolutionize the computer industry?

Windows 95 introduced many groundbreaking features, such as the Start menu and Taskbar, making personal computers more user-friendly and accessible to a larger audience.

Q: What role did eBay play in the online auction market in 1995?

eBay, previously known as auction web, pioneered the online auction marketplace, allowing individuals to buy and sell a wide range of products.

Q: What controversy surrounded The Golden Compass upon its release?

The Golden Compass sparked controversy for its perceived anti-religious themes. Some view it as critical of organized religion, while others argue it presents a different interpretation.

Q: How did the introduction of the blue M&M impact the candy industry?

The blue M&M became a popular addition to the M&M color lineup, captivating consumers and contributing to the success of the brand.

Q: How did the show Wishbone influence college students?

Wishbone, a PBS show featuring classic stories, resonated with college students to the extent that they wrote thank you notes to the show creators, acknowledging its impact on their education.

Q: What was notable about the cast and crew's experience while filming Apollo 13?

To simulate zero gravity, the cast and crew of Apollo 13 would fly upwards at a 45-degree angle before taking a nose dive downwards; this method provided an authentic zero-gravity experience.

Q: How did Alanis Morissette's album Jagged Little Pill make music history?

Jagged Little Pill propelled Alanis Morissette to fame and won her the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, making her the youngest artist to ever win the award at the age of 21.

Q: How did potatoes in space contribute to the creation of the movie The Martian?

In 1995, astronauts on the space shuttle Columbia attempted to grow vegetables, resulting in the production of five potatoes. This inspired the storyline of growing food in space in the movie The Martian.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Windows 95, eBay, and Namco's patent for mini video games turn 21 in 2016, changing the face of technology.

• The Macarena, Starbucks Frappuccino, and Pizza Hut stuffed crust pizza also celebrate their 21st birthdays, becoming significant cultural icons.

• OJ Simpson's murder trial, The Golden Compass controversy, and the introduction of the blue M&M create lasting legacies in their respective fields.