10 Times the Government Funded Something Totally Unexpected
You won't believe what your tax dollars have paid for, especially these 10 surprising projects.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
The U.S. government is known for spending billions on defense, healthcare, and infrastructure, but sometimes, it surprises us. From quirky research projects to offbeat art installations, public funds have gone to places you’d never imagine. Here are 10 times Uncle Sam picked up the tab for something truly head-scratching.
1. Shrimp on a Treadmill
Youcef Chenzer on Unsplash
In one bizarre study, researchers placed shrimp on tiny treadmills to analyze their behavior under stress. The project aimed to understand how environmental changes affect marine life—but it left taxpayers scratching their heads.
2. A Study on Goth Teens in Europe
cottonbro studio on Pexels
The National Science Foundation once funded a social study of goth subculture among European teens. The project explored identity and social integration, but some questioned why U.S. dollars supported overseas research.
3. Drunk Birds in Montana
daniyal ghanavati on Pexels
Federal dollars helped fund a wildlife study in Montana that investigated whether birds could become intoxicated by fermented berries. Researchers monitored bird behavior and survival rates.
4. $1 Million to Develop a “Robot Squirrel”
Shane Young on Unsplash
Funded by the National Science Foundation, this robotic squirrel was designed to mimic real ones to study predator-prey interactions with rattlesnakes. While it helped gather valuable data, taxpayers were puzzled by the price tag.
5. Promoting Tourism in Libya
Gelabi89 on Wikimedia Commons
In 2012, the U.S. spent nearly $600,000 on a program to promote tourism in Libya. The war-torn country was hardly a vacation hotspot, yet funds went toward “travel packages” and branding efforts.
6. Swedish Massage for Bunnies
Mike Bird on Pexels
A USDA project included giving massages to rabbits to study meat quality. Fluffy got pampered, all in the name of tenderness.
7. Texting While Driving Simulators for Monkeys
ahhhnice on Flickr
Monkeys were taught how to use touchscreens to simulate distracted driving. The goal was to mimic human distraction and understand cognitive load.
8. Luxury Hotel for Cats
Francesco Ungaro on Pexels
In 2011, a cat sanctuary in Florida received a federal grant to upgrade its “cat hotel” amenities. Think of temperature-controlled rooms and gourmet meals—for felines.
9. UFO Landing Pad in Colorado
Lucas Pezeta on Pexels
Back in the ’70s, the small town of Green Mountain Falls received funding to build a landing pad for extraterrestrials. The town believed it would attract intergalactic visitors—and maybe tourists too.
10. A Study on Why Rats Laugh
Nikolett Emmert on Pexels
Yup, rats laugh—apparently. Researchers tickled rats and studied their squeaky giggles to learn about social behavior. The study burned through hundreds of thousands in grants.