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 […]
Henry’s Invention That Transformed Warfare
Can Cows — and Cheese — Contribute To Safer Smoking?
We already reported the alarming practice of attempting to make cigarettes safe by using filters made from asbestos. If you are looking for a safer and all-organic way to introduce carcinogens into […]
How Long Did It Take to Invent the Can Opener?
War has been a blight on humanity for all of history, but it occasionally produces some good things. Such was the case when Napoleon’s problems with providing food to his troops led […]
The Story of the Popsicle and its 11-Year-Old Inventor
What invokes happy memories of summer better than the popsicle? The cool, refreshing delight of a juicy frozen treat on a hot day can seem like manna from heaven. The next time […]
Combining Childbirth With Amusement Park Technology
We are led to understand that the process of delivering a baby can be somewhat difficult. Fortunately, for expectant mothers everywhere, inventors George and Charlotte Blonsky have come to the rescue with […]
Cube-Shaped Wombat Poop and Other Scientific Breakthroughs
We at Commonplace Fun Facts are big fans of the Ig Nobel Prize and its mission to “first make people laugh, then make them think.” The list of 2019 laureates touched on […]
Meet Sir George Sitwell: “The Strangest Old Bugger You Ever Met”
Harold Acton said of Sir George Sitwell that he was “the strangest old bugger you ever met.” Was this an accurate description, or was Acton being unfair? Read on and judge for […]
Which Came First: the Match or the Lighter?
We may not know whether the chicken or the egg came first, and we might not even know why some stars appear to be older than the universe itself. There is one […]
Edison’s Lesson of the Unwanted Invention
For any inventor, receiving his or her first patent is a momentous occasion. It is proof from the highest levels of government that someone recognizes the value of the distinct innovation born […]
Meet the Man Responsible for All the Spam Email You Ever Received
Some inventors regretted their creations so much that they actively worked to compensate for their misguided genius. Alfred Nobel was haunted by the realization of what his creation of dynamite would mean […]
No Bones About It: The Origin of the Chainsaw
The chainsaw is an essential tool for those who work with wood, but it is for the roughest of cuts. You would never want to use a chainsaw for anything that requires […]
Most Creative Use of a Death Beam: Paying Off a Hotel Bill
Nikola Tesla invented many brilliant devices such as electric oscillators and the Tesla coil. He was also quite gifted at inventing ways to get out of debt. One of those methods led […]
What Do Headaches, Heroin, World War I, and Aspirin Have in Common?
The closing years of the 19th century saw the introduction of two over-the-counter wonder drugs. These products, both manufactured by Bayer, boasted unprecedented results in treating pain and other ailments. They were […]
End Noodle Harassment With This Technological Marvel
Slurping. Depending on your cultural background, hearing this sound at the dinner table may be interpreted as a compliment or as an annoyance on par with fingernails on a chalkboard. If you […]
The Fearsome Weapon in the War Against Slow-Moving Bunnies
They may seems cute and cuddly, but rabbits have been known to take on such powerful adversaries and Napoleon and Jimmy Carter. Knowing this might make you breathe a sigh of relief […]
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