The Great Fire of London (1666): Strange Facts Behind the Famous Disaster
The Great Fire of London wasn’t just a disaster—it was full of odd decisions and strange moments. Here are the quirkiest facts from 1666.
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Is Glass a Liquid? The Solid Facts Behind the Liquid Myth
Read more: Is Glass a Liquid? The Solid Facts Behind the Liquid MythIs glass a liquid? Find out the truth behind the myth.
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Cash on the Canvas
Read more: Cash on the CanvasThe work of art that has sold for the highest price is Paul Gauguin’s oil painting “Nafea faa ipoipo”. The title is Tahitian for “When will you marry?” When sold in a private sale in February 2015, this 1892 piece brought $300 million.
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Thomas Midgley: They Always Said His Inventions Would be the Death of Him
Read more: Thomas Midgley: They Always Said His Inventions Would be the Death of HimThomas Midgley, Jr. held over one hundred patents for his mechanical engineering and chemistry advancements. Certainly not winning any prizes from environmentalists, it was Midgley who developed the lead-based additive for gasoline, as well as some of the first chlorofluorocarbons. His work with chlorofluorocarbons resulted in the first non-combustible and non-flammable refrigerant: freon. His work…
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The Vehicular Influence of the Governator
Read more: The Vehicular Influence of the GovernatorGeneral Motors developed a civilian model of its military vehicle, the Humvee, largely due to the persuasive efforts of actor and future California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The result — the Hummer — rolled off the assembly lines in July 1992. The first one was delivered to Schwarzenegger, himself. source
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I Always Thought He Had Beady Eyes…
Read more: I Always Thought He Had Beady Eyes…In South Korea, a law passed in 2000 requires anyone burying a loved one to remove the grave after 60 years. Because of dwindling graveyard space and this resulting law, cremation has become much more popular. But families don’t always opt for ashes. Several companies there compress remains into gem-like beads in turquoise, pink or black.…
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The Long Goodbye of Indonesian Funerals
Read more: The Long Goodbye of Indonesian FuneralsIn Tana Toraja in eastern Indonesia, funerals are major events, involving a feast that may be attended by thousands and last for several days. Because of the elaborate nature of the ceremony, families often have to save for months or even years to be able to afford all of the trappings. Until the ceremony can…
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Genius Unlocked By a Blow to the Head
Read more: Genius Unlocked By a Blow to the HeadIn 1979 10-year-old Orlando Serrell was hit in the head with a baseball. Unharmed, except from a temporary headache, the accident unlocked amazing mental capacities, making Serrell an “acquired savant” (one who develops genius capabilities at some point after birth). Since that day he has developed incredible abilities relating to the calendar. He can, for…
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When POTUS Cleans Up After His Pooch
Read more: When POTUS Cleans Up After His PoochPresident Gerald Ford was known for being just a regular guy, unchanged by the power of the Presidency. This was never better demonstrated than on the occasion when his Golden Retriever, Liberty, do-dooed on a carpet in the White House. As a servant rushed to take care of it, the President stopped him, saying, “No…
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George Washington and the Dogs of War: A True Story of Compassion During Battle
Read more: George Washington and the Dogs of War: A True Story of Compassion During BattleDiscover how George Washington’s legendary love for dogs led to a rare act of compassion during the Revolutionary War. A fascinating true story of honor and humanity.
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Want Their Autographs? It Will Take a While To Write All of It
Read more: Want Their Autographs? It Will Take a While To Write All of ItTwo friends, formerly known as Daniel Knox-Hewson and Kelvin Borbidge Daniel Knox-Hewson and his friend Kelvin Borbidge of Nottingham, United Kingdom, decided in 2011 to have their names reflect their love of sci-fi and comic books. Daniel formally changed his name to “Emperor Spiderman Gandalf Wolverine Skywalker Optimus Prime Goku Sonic Xavier Ryu Cloud Superman…
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This Post Brought to You by DAMS: Speeding Mothers Against Dyslexia
Read more: This Post Brought to You by DAMS: Speeding Mothers Against DyslexiaIn 2010 Matthew Cook was clocked at 103 mph in a 60 mph zone in East Sussex, United Kingdom. His defense? He said he had dyslexia, and thought he was only going 31 mph. The court was skeptical of the defense and suspended Cook’s driving privileges for three years. source
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Bullet Ant Initiation Turns Boys Into Men
Read more: Bullet Ant Initiation Turns Boys Into MenLearn how boys become men with a painful bullet ant initiation in the Sateré-Mawé tribe of Brazil.
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A Hearty Taste for Hearts and Animals
Read more: A Hearty Taste for Hearts and AnimalsWilliam Buckland (1784-1856) was the first man to write a full account of a fossil (the Megalosaurus). His love of animals and food blended together into some rather interesting eccentricities.
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The Original Absent-Minded Professor
Read more: The Original Absent-Minded ProfessorDr. William Archibald Spooner, an Oxford Professor, is known for swapping letters, words, or parts of words, creating “spoonerisms” that are more memorable than the original phrases. He was also known for absent-mindedness, as seen in this article.
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Cruising With a Crustacean
Read more: Cruising With a CrustaceanWhile Oscar Wilde was a student at Oxford University, he was frequently seen walking through the streets with a lobster on a leash. source
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A Buttload is an Actual Unit of MeasurementFebruary 5, 2020
