If you are the boss, be careful who you leave in charge when you leave town. You might come home to find some big changes have taken place in your absence. That’s […]
Why the Only Triple-Landlocked State Has Its Own Navy
The Dangers of Celebrities Ignoring Their Fans
One of the problems with being a celebrity is having to deal with all the people who want to talk to you. Something as ordinary as dining out with a friend becomes […]
Taft’s Advice on How to Write
“Don’t write so that you can be understood, write so that you can’t be misunderstood.” — William Howard Taft
Jefferson’s Views on How Laws Should Be Written
“Laws are made for men of ordinary understanding and should, therefore, be construed by the ordinary rules of common sense. Their meaning is not to be sought for in metaphysical subtleties which […]
The Draconian Lawgiver Who Was Killed By His Popularity
The word “draconian” is used to describe laws or methods considered particularly harsh and unforgiving. It is not the way any politician would seek to be described — particularly if seeking the […]
This School’s Most Famous Student Never Existed
Georgia Institute of Technology is a research university based in Atlanta, Georgia. Since its establishment in 1885, Georgia Tech has awarded degrees to tens of thousands of students. None of them have […]
The Failed Soviet Plan to Build a Flying Tank
Imagine that you are a soldier in World War II. In the heat of battle, your attention is focused on the advancing enemy. With no sounds to suggest any hostile aircraft are […]
From Pop Songs to the White House — Fun With Mathematical Constants
In the world of science and mathematics, there are certain numbers, functions, and equations of such importance that they have earned distinctive titles. “Avagadro’s Number,” “Planck Constant,” “Pi,” and “Faraday Constant” are […]
The Sweet Story of Candy Instead of Bullets
The War to End All Wars was over. So was the one that came after it. It was 1949, and Edward Dee was trying to find a peacetime use for machinery that […]
The Strange Fate of Oliver Cromwell’s Head
We all know someone who just can’t leave things alone. No matter how little the slight and regardless of how much time has passed, they have an irresistible compulsion to have the […]
How the Mona Lisa Became the World’s Most Famous Painting By Being Stolen
The Mona Lisa is the most famous painting in the world. Ask anyone to list the most important artwork in history, and you can be sure that Leonardo da Vinci’s enigmatic painting […]
Henry’s Invention That Transformed Warfare
Henry was an ambitious officer. He had his sights set on greatness. He wanted his name to be remembered by future generations. He got his wish. This is the story of why […]
What Caused the Curse of Colonel Sanders?
The image of Col. Harlan Sanders tends to evoke happy thoughts. The founder and symbol of Kentucky Fried Chicken is a grandfatherly, pleasant-looking chap. The last thing you would associate with him […]
The Extreme Sport of Ferret-Legging
Have you ever wondered how certain sports started? The origins of baseball and basketball are not too difficult to understand. Other sports, such as the goat-dragging, horse-riding event of Buzkashi can leave […]
Take a Stroll Down the World’s Shortest Street
Taking a stroll to the end of the street might be just the thing so you can get some fresh air and get the blood flowing. If you happen to be staying […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 