Visit any Whole Foods Market and chances are you’ll run into (or find yourself waiting behind) some variation of a pastel-colored electric car. While it may appear that electric cars have sprouted up in the past two decades, their history can be traced way back to the early 1900s.
The first decade of the 20th century was considered a “golden age” for electric vehicles. According to the IEEE, nearly 28 percent of the 4,192 cars produced in the United States in 1900 were electric. In 1910, Thomas Edison even declared that “in 15 years, more electricity will be sold for electric vehicles than for light.” While he may have been off by just little, his prediction is understandable given the obsession with electric cars during the early 1900s.
The Baker Motor Vehicle Company was a large manufacturer of electric cars out of Cleveland from 1899 to 1914. Unlike the cars of the day, Baker cars had no gasoline smell, needed no cranking, drove silently, much like today’s hybrid vehicles, and were primarily maintenance-free. Therefore, they were chiefly marketed toward women—and even came with makeup kits inside. What a deal!
But what happened to this awesome car, and electric cars in general? As gas-powered cars became easier to operate with the invention of the electric starter, and the noise became more tolerable thanks to the newly introduced muffler by Hiram Percy Maxim, electric cars were reserved almost exclusively for the wealthy. On top of that, improved road infrastructure required cars with a greater range than electric cars, and the discovery of large amounts of oil allowed gas-powered cars to be sold even more cheaply. Henry Ford changed the game yet again with the mass production of gasoline-operated cars, and by 1912, an electric car sold for almost double the price of a gasoline car.
Although these early electric cars reflect a bygone era, their ingenuity and environmental friendliness foreshadowed a trend that would emerge almost a century later, in 1999, with the introduction of electric and hybrid cars by GM and Toyota. Maybe if we’d figured out how to mass-produce electric cars back then, our planet wouldn’t be decaying from global warming? Just a thought.
Say goodbye or make amends.Image via Canva - Photo by Inna Postnikova
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.