Great achievements don’t always stem from noble beginnings. Some of the most iconic creations we know today have surprisingly shady origins, marked by crime, conflict, and controversy. These stories reveal how moments of crisis or wrongdoing can sometimes lead to unexpected innovation and lasting legacies.
The Travels of Marco Polo
Confined in a Genoese prison after a naval battle, Marco Polo shared his extensive travel stories with his cellmate, Rustichello of Pisa. These tales became “The Travels of Marco Polo,” a book that introduced Asian cultures to Europe and inspired explorers like Christopher Columbus. The book was a bestseller, despite the fact that Polo and Rustichello embellished it with fictitious elements to entertain themselves.
Mars Candies
Forrest Mars’s zealous marketing tactics led to his arrest for vandalism in Chicago. His father, Frank Mars, bailed him out, and during that reunion, the idea for the Milky Way bar was born. This collaboration sparked a candy empire that includes Snickers and M&M’s, proving that even an arrest can lead to sweet success.
Griffith Observatory
Griffith J. Griffith, who donated the land for the Griffith Observatory, attempted to murder his wife in 1903, driven by paranoid alcoholic delusions. After serving time, he tried to rebuild his reputation by donating funds for the observatory’s construction. Today, it’s not only a Los Angeles landmark but also a popular filming location, featured in movies like Rebel Without a Cause and La La Land.
The Periodic Table of Elements
King Augustus the Strong of Poland imprisoned Johann Friedrich Böttger, a con artist who claimed to have mastered alchemy. Böttger, under duress, instead discovered a method for producing porcelain, leading to the opening of feldspar mines. Elements discovered from these mines, such as those from Sweden’s Ytterby mine, were crucial in finalizing Dmitri Mendeleev’s periodic table.
Auntie Anne’s Pretzels
Anne Beiler, the founder of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, started her business to support her husband’s counseling services for trauma. This followed a challenging period in her life that included the accidental death of her daughter and abuse by a pastor. What began as a concession stand to supplement their income quickly turned into a nationwide pretzel empire.
Hip Hop
The New York City blackout of 1977, caused by lightning strikes, led to widespread looting. Stolen sound equipment fell into the hands of aspiring DJs and rappers, democratizing the genre and fueling hip hop’s explosive growth across the city and eventually the world.
The MPAA Ratings
The unsolved murder of Hollywood director William Desmond Taylor, amid scandals and conflicting testimonies, prompted the movie studios to protect their image. The Hays Code was the first attempt to control morality in films, eventually leading to the MPAA rating system we know today.
The Tour De France
Count Jules-Albert de Dion, after assaulting President Emile Loubet, was criticized by the sports paper Le Velo. In retaliation, De Dion created his own paper and, fueled by spite, launched the Tour De France, which became one of the world’s most prestigious cycling races.
Superman
Jerry Siegel created Superman after his father’s tragic death during a robbery. The character, who rescues a shopkeeper from muggers and possesses invulnerability, reflects Siegel’s personal loss and desire for justice.
Kentucky Fried Chicken
Harland Sanders, the man behind KFC, was involved in a shootout with a rival restaurateur, Matt Stewart, over billboard vandalism. This violent confrontation led to Stewart’s imprisonment and allowed Sanders to expand his restaurant, eventually creating the global phenomenon known as Kentucky Fried Chicken.
These origin stories remind us that the path to success is rarely straightforward. From crime and conflict to personal tragedy, these iconic creations emerged from the most unexpected and troubled beginnings. They stand as testaments to the resilience, creativity, and, at times, sheer spite that can shape our world.
What do you think about these shocking origins? Leave your comment below!
