The Commonplace Fun Facts Department of Data, Analytics, Viewer Demographics, and User Engagement (otherwise known as DAVDAUE — yeah, we know. We’re working on a better name) tells us that a significant […]
Fun Google Tricks To Ward Off Boredom
Handguns, Hot Sauce, Board Games, and Testosterone
Many important scientific studies have expanded the realm of human knowledge. Commonplace Fun Facts has faithfully informed its readers about innovative research that has answered questions such as “How long does it […]
How an Unknown Drowning Victim Became The Most Kissed Person in the World
The young girl’s body was dragged out of the Seine River. Police investigators found no signs of trauma or a struggle. The utter absence of bruises and cuts led them to the […]
The Wizard of Oz Snow was Pure Asbestos
In the 1939 classic film The Wizard of Oz, Scarecrow is mortally afraid of fire. Ironically, fire should have been the least of his concerns. Scarecrow’s costume, as well as one of […]
Back When Children Played With Uranium
With the approach of Christmas, you might be wondering what to buy for the young budding scientist on your shopping list. An Albert Einstein bobble head? Monster scientist Lego kit? Periodic Table […]
The Big Flub Called Flubber
Hasbro introduced a toy in 1962 called “Flubber” (tied to the movie Son of Flubber). It was made from synthetic rubber and mineral oil. It had all of the qualities one would […]
Check Out These Wacky Board Games
Admittedly, the Commonplace Fun Facts staff is not really big into board games or games in general. It probably has something to do with the “Does not play well with others” notation […]
No Bones About It — Evel Knievel Holds the Record For Most Breaks
Do you think life has handed you some tough breaks? Odds are that as bad as things get for you, you haven’t had as many tough breaks as Evel Knievel.
How a Boy With a Kite Helped Bridge Two Nations
On March 8, 1855, history was made when a 23-ton railroad engine crossed over the Niagara River on the world’s first working railway suspension bridge. The bridge was an engineering marvel, spanning […]
Learn About the Creepy Dolls That Became One of Thomas Edison’s Greatest Failures
Despite being one of the most successful inventors in history, Thomas Edison was certainly no stranger to failure. As detailed in this article, he bungled one opportunity by failing to determine whether […]
How Thousands of Rubber Bath Toys Helped Unlock the Ocean’s Secrets
The container ship Ever Laurel was en route from Hong Kong to Tacoma, Washington. On January 10, 1992, it was only halfway to its destination when it encountered a violent storm. The […]
Some of the Articles We Never Got Around To
“How do you come up with ideas for articles on Commonplace Fun Facts?” Not a week goes by without that question being posed to members of the Commonplace creative team. The tone […]
Thank the Creator of the Headless Horseman for Your Favorite American Christmas Traditions
There are certain people who figure prominently in the development of Christmas traditions. What would Christmas be like without Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” Thomas Nast’s depiction of Santa, or Clement Moore’s immortal […]
Don’t Spend Christmas in the Emergency Room
Christmas is a time to spend in church, shopping in stores, and visiting the homes of family and friends. For too many people, it is also a time to spend in the […]
How Much Do You Know About Santa Claus?
One of the most recognized people in the world is that jolly, old elf, Santa Claus. Everything about him — his beard, hat, coat, belly, and even his distinctive laugh — immediately […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 