Physicists are familiar with the concept of Schrödinger’s Cat — a creature that can be described as being simultaneously dead and alive. Most of us can relate to having been served undercooked […]
Try the Seafood Dish That Is Both Dead and Alive
Which War Killed One-Sixth of the World’s Population?
If you had to list the deadliest military conflicts in human history, which would take the #1 spot? The easy answer is World War II. With some estimates placing the death toll […]
The Unkillable General Adrian Carton de Wiart
In the realm of science fiction, one of the most formidable fighters of all time is a Terminator. These robotic soldiers from the future are the ultimate killing machine because they are […]
How a Medical Legend Maneuvered Celebrities into Treating AIDS Patients With Malaria
Each year 1-3 million people die from malaria. Another 1 million annually succumb to AIDS. You don’t need to be a physician to realize both of these diseases are pretty bad. Anyone […]
Interesting, Curious, and Freaky Facts about the Mighty Hoover Dam
When it comes to dams, there are plenty to consider. There is China’s Three Gorges Dam that is so big that it slows the earth’s rotation. There is another Chinese dam whose […]
How a Full Bladder Started a Bloody War
Not to be indelicate, but there are some things we just can’t control. After all, when you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go. While it is true that some of us […]
Before She Was a Chef Julia Child Cooked Up a Secret Recipe for a Spy Agency
One of the biggest names in cuisine is Julia Child (1912-2004). The celebrated chef gained worldwide fame as a television personality and author. She is credited for popularizing French cuisine in the […]
The Worst Traffic Jam Lasted 12 Days
No one likes to be tied up in traffic. It doesn’t matter whether the slowdown is caused by construction, a patch of ice, or an accident; when sitting in tangled traffic, every […]
The Pastabilities Are Endless — The History and Varieties of Pasta
Nothing says “Italy” quite like pasta. The flavors, smells, shapes, and even the names of the many-varied noodles are as Italian as Italian can be.
Pursuing Peace, Professional Pickle Packers Propose Punting Problems, Purposefully Propelling Pickles
Commonplace Fun Facts has documented some curious political movements, such as the candidacy of Vermin Supreme, the Monster Raving Looney Party, and the presidential candidate whose running mate didn’t vote for her. […]
There May Be More Tigers in Texas Than Roaming Wild in the Rest of the World
If you want to find a lot of tigers, most of us would imagine a journey to India or western Asia. Few would think to plan a trip to Texas. Even so, […]
The Dam So Big That It Slows Earth’s Rotation
If you aren’t particularly interested in dams, you might think that the day passes more slowly if you have to spend much time contemplating them. There is, however, a direct correlation between […]
Chairman Mao’s Disastrous War Against Sparrows
Mao Zedong (1893-1976) disliked pests. Rats, bed bugs, and flies (not to mention as many as 30 million people who got in his way) were, at various times, the focus of Chairman […]
Combining Cuteness and Horror — Meet the Chinese Water Deer
Just when you thought it was safe to step outside and relax in the blissful tranquility of nature, it’s time to meet a real-life combination of Bambi and Dracula: the vampire deer.
How Marco Polo Owes His Fame to an Inquisitive Inmate
History so often hinges upon accidents, such as the time Gutenberg was forced to invent the printing press because he missed an important date by an entire year, or the time Constantinople […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 