It's not entirely clear how bandwagons evolved or even when they began to appear. What is readily apparent, however, is that the following bandwagons were some of the best in history:

Chicago Bulls, 1991-93 and 1996-98

Stoked by the popularity of Michael Jordan, the Bulls bandwagon took off when the team won its first championship. Team merchandise was sold around the world, and the players were treated like rock stars. The bandwagon took a sabbatical when Jordan left the team for the better part of two seasons, but returned stronger than ever when the Bulls enjoyed their second three-peat -- despite this and this.

New York Yankees, 1949-64; 1976-78; 1996-2000
This is an example of the rarely seen cyclical bandwagon, in which fan support seems to increase in years after successful stretches. For example, while winning four World Series in five seasons from 1996 to 2000, the Yankees never led the American League in attendance and once ranked as low as seventh. But while leading the league at the turnstiles the past six seasons, the club has not won a World Series title. Researchers have been unable to properly explain this bandwagon phenomenon.

Dallas Cowboys, 1970s
Some sociologists explain the enormous bandwagon effect of the Cowboys as "America's Team" in the '70s as a desperate attempt to latch onto a winning team and the old-school values of Tom Landry during a confusing time in which America transitioned from the Vietnam era into the Reagan '80s. Of course, others explain that the bandwagon was a result of something else.

The Macarena, 1995-96
In the mid-1990s, this Latin-themed song and its ridiculous accompanying dance swept across the country's airwaves and nightclubs like a virus. The craze reached a dizzying height in July 1996, when legendary broadcaster Vin Scully performed the dance in the press box at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium during a Dodgers-Padres game. Thankfully, America's tequila- and rum-fueled buzz soon wore off, and practitioners came to their senses.

Boston Red Sox, 2004-present

Here's the test to see whether you and your not-broken-in-yet Red Sox cap are riding the bandwagon: Who is El Guapo? Who is Oil Can? Why is Mookie Wilson evil? Did you see "Fever Pitch" on purpose? If you need to think twice about any of these questions, congratulations, you're an official member of Red Sox Bandwagon Nation. Welcome to the one place in the world where there is no strength in numbers. (Take the tag off that cap, by the way.)

Notre Dame football, 1924-present
The Fighting Irish boast the longest run of any sports bandwagon on record. The program achieved bandwagon status in the Knute Rockne era, with the advent of the Four Horsemen in 1924, and subsequently enjoyed decades of unmatched success. However, the bandwagon suffered four simultaneous flat tires Nov. 3, 2007, when the Irish lost to Navy for the first time in 44 years. The wheels became fully detached when the bandwagon limped into the offseason with a 3-9 record. With coach Charlie Weis entering the third season of a 10-year, $40 million contract extension, the well-being of this bandwagon might be in jeopardy.

Howard Dean, 2004

This bandwagon was derailed and totaled at the freeway on-ramp. Dean became a trendy early pick for the Democratic nomination. Then came this unforgettable rant.

Industrial Revolution, 1700s-2008
It began with a number of important innovations, such as cotton spinners, James Watt's steam engine and iron. It arguably reached official decline with the Japanese invention of a 15-inch female robot that kisses lonely men.

Vince Carter, 1999-2001
This bandwagon reached its peak after Carter's legendary slam over Frederic Weis in the 2000 Olympics but has been in slow decline ever since. In fact, NBA fans, remember this when you attempt to deny having joined the Carter bandwagon: You voted him in as an All-Star Game starter five times.

Trucker caps, 2004-05
When most of us were kids, all we had were mesh-backed caps. Then better alternatives came along. Two decades later, Ashton Kutcher came along and somehow made this vented headwear cool. But by 2005, most people realized that if all trucker hats did for Kutcher was get him married to a 40-something, former A-list actress, it was time to cast them off. Apparently even with the mesh, not enough oxygen was getting to Kutcher's brain.

Los Angeles Lakers, 2000-04

A number of wagoneers displaced by the breakup of the Bulls in 1998 sought refuge in this budding group. The two bandwagons had many common denominators: large market, flashy superstars, veteran role players, glitzy marketing and Phil Jackson. After enjoying three consecutive championships, the Lakers bandwagon ran off the tracks with a stunning loss to the Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals. So, to answer your forthcoming question, no, that Slava Medvedenko replica jersey in your closet is no longer worth anything. Ditto Mark Madsen.

Soccer
Began: June 1978.
Decline: July 1978.

Hootie & the Blowfish, 1994-96
How did these guys win the 1996 Grammy for best new artist? Probably because far too many of us bought their album "Cracked Rear View," with songs such as "Only Wanna Be With You" and "Hold My Hand." Today, they lead the nation in quickest and angriest station change when they come on the radio (by the way, the group Train is a close No. 2). Why is this? Partly because the songs are commercialized drivel, partly because we can't believe we used to crank this stuff back in the day.

Parachute pants, 1982-84
Hold on … is that a break-dancing war breaking out in the suburbs? No? Then why did any of us wear nylon pants with approximately 50 zippers (and two pockets). This is the only thing you could bust out that would make someone with those oversize MC Hammer pants look cool. Bonus points if you ever wore these with a Members Only jacket.

Generra Hypercolor, late 1980s
If you woke up each day living by the Bon Jovi mantra of "Lay Your Hands On Me," the hypercolor T-shirt was for you. For those who forget, the shirts had a special ink in the fabric that changed color with heat. We've come a long way since then, considering that if you ask people to "Please touch me," you probably will get arrested and appear on a sex offenders registry. As the '80s became the '90s, hypercolor lost its cool. Most people started covering theirs with a B.U.M. Equipment sweatshirt because that was considered less embarrassing.

Duke basketball, 1991-present
The dynamic personality of Christian Laettner lured us into the fold. The seductive poetry of J.J. Redick convinced us to stay forever.

DJ Gallo, Thomas Neumann, Mike Philbrick and David Schoenfield contributed to this report during a break from filling out TPS reports.