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 […]
Interesting, Curious, and Freaky Facts about the Mighty Hoover Dam
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 […]
The Worst Structural Failure in History Was Kept a Secret for 30 Years
When the Hindenburg exploded in 1937, killing 36 people, it made headlines around the world and earned a lasting place in history. Titanic’s sinking, causing the death of more than 1,500 people […]
Every Panda in Every Zoo Belongs to China
Pandas are popular attractions at any zoo fortunate enough to have one. What you may not know is that every cuddly, adorable panda you have ever seen in a zoo is actually […]
The Shady History of Sunglasses
Sunglasses can make the wearer look cool, and they certainly can help on sunny days, but that was not their original intent when they were invented.
Would You Use These Weirdly Named Products?
In marketing, deciding product’s name is the first big step to letting the world know why it needs that particular item. Unfortunately, the language barrier sometimes presents its own obstacles and sends […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 