Bricked iPhones, Dorito roses, and perfect pancakes. Here’s what was in the news 10 years ago this week.
Don’t Set Your iPhone to January 1970 – You’ll Destroy It
A bizarre iPhone bug went viral when users discovered that manually setting the date to January 1, 1970 could permanently brick their device. Phones would reboot endlessly and never recover, proving that time travel (even digital) comes with consequences.
Doritos Roses Go Viral Ahead of Valentine’s Day
In peak internet energy, someone figured out how to fold Doritos into surprisingly convincing roses. Equal parts romantic and ridiculous, the DIY snack bouquet became a Valentine’s Day option for people short on cash, time, or basic floral dignity.
Burger King Adds Hot Dogs
Burger King shocked everyone by announcing it would permanently add hot dogs to its menu. The move raised questions about brand identity, and Burger King eventually did a little soul-searching itself. The “permanent” new menu item was nixed at most BK locations just one year later.
Scientists Try to Cure Glaucoma, Discover the Perfect Pancake Instead
While researching potential glaucoma treatments, scientists figured out the exact ratio for perfect pancakes – 1.75 cups of water for every one cup of flour. The accidental discovery reminded the world that science doesn’t always give us what we want, but sometimes gives us what we need.
“Deadpool” Opens to a Record-Breaking $132 Million
$132 million was the best opening weekend ever for an R-rated film. It remained unmatched until “Deadpool & Wolverine” beat it with a $211 million first weekend in 2024.
Red Lobster Sales Jump 33% Thanks to Beyoncé
After Beyoncé casually (and profanely) referenced Red Lobster in her song “Formation” – and also dominated the Super Bowl halftime show – the seafood chain saw a stunning 33% sales spike. It was the clearest proof yet that pop culture shout-outs can move more cheddar (and Cheddar Bay Biscuits) than traditional advertising ever could.
A Kid Buys Valentine’s Day Flowers for Every Girl at His School
A high school senior in Utah became an instant legend after buying Valentine’s Day flowers for every girl in his school – all 834 of them. The grand gesture melted hearts, emptied his wallet, and set an impossibly high bar for teenage romance. Hey, it’s a numbers game, right?
A Lock of John Lennon’s Hair Goes Up for Auction
Described as a “substantial” lock from the mop top’s head, John Lennon’s hair went up for auction and eventually sold for $35,000. It was a reminder that celebrity memorabilia has no limits – and that for the right superfan, owning a literal piece of Beatles history is worth the price of a small sedan.
Bill Murray Tosses Fans’ Phones Off a Rooftop Bar
Bill Murray leaned fully into his chaotic reputation after grabbing fans’ phones and tossing them off a rooftop bar near Pebble Beach Golf Course in California. Witnesses said the “fans” were being annoying. Bill eventually offered to pay for the phones, and that was that.
A Guy in Spain Skipped Work for Six Years Without Getting Caught
A Spanish civil servant successfully skipped work for at least six years while still collecting a paycheck before anyone noticed. He ended up with a ~$30k fine – a small price to pay for internet glory.