Built So You Could Watch Them Work
Helmut Jahn designed the State of Illinois Center with no doors on its atrium, so citizens could watch government happen through glass. Google bought the building, kept the glass out of the deal, and formally opened as HQ this month anyway.
Buried Near the Carport
Bill Bowerman ruined his wife's wedding-gift waffle iron chasing a shoe sole in 1971. Fifty-five years and one sneaker empire later, that money just built an actual college of engineering.
The Boss Key They Cut
Microsoft's own intern built Solitaire a button to hide it from your boss. They made him take it out before release — then spent the next decade proving they'd needed it.
Beware of Imitation Chairs
In 1874 the Shakers were already warning customers about fake Shaker chairs. Today "Shaker" is most of America's kitchen cabinets, and there are three Shakers left.
Couldn't Even Redownload It
In 2015 Konami made a beloved Silent Hill demo vanish for good. A new one lands today, one day before the original game it's riding on turns 25.
