50 amazing facts
Unbelievable Facts: Things You Didn't Know
By Marius DoniPublished 9 months ago • 6 min read
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- The toy company Mattel once produced a vibrating broom inspired by Harry Potter. This toy was designed for children to simulate flying on a broomstick. However, the company had to discontinue the product due to its popularity among adult stores and its resale at double the original price in Times Square.
- During the Vietnam War, the United States carried out Operation Popeye, a classified operation that involved inducing rainfall by manipulating clouds in Vietnam. This was done to prolong the monsoon season. In 1974, the US declassified this operation, and its involvement became public knowledge.
- Zero Euro banknotes are non-monetary and serve as souvenirs. They are created specifically to promote tourism, featuring unique designs that represent European landmarks or events.
- According to James Cole from the University of Brighton, human meat is found to be significantly less nutritious compared to pork or wild game. Interestingly, he discovered that the average human body contains approximately 75 pounds of edible meat. The methodology behind his findings remains undisclosed.
- The sand tiger shark is the sole species among the 400 to 500 different types of sharks that is known to emit flatulence.
- In the African country of Mali, a woman holds the Guinness World Record for delivering the highest number of surviving children in a single birth, which is nine babies known as nonuplets.
- No species of sharks have the ability to produce sound, as they lack the necessary organs.
- The term "vasovagal syncope" describes a sudden or near loss of consciousness triggered by emotional or environmental factors, such as the sight of blood or needles. If you have ever fainted during blood work or feel uncomfortable around needles, that is what occurred.
- NASA has determined that a mere 40 digits of pi are sufficient for accurately calculating the circumference of the observable universe within the size of a hydrogen atom.
- Jack White, from the White Stripes, initially intended to save the guitar riff used in "Seven Nation Army" in case he ever had the opportunity to create a theme song for a James Bond film. Although this did not happen, he eventually fulfilled his wish five years after the song's release by composing the theme song for the 2008 Bond film, "Quantum of Solace."
- Roosters possess natural ear protection to safeguard against hearing loss caused by their crowing.
- Until 2018, certain McDonald's locations in Florida continued to sell fried apple pies. However, they have since transitioned to baked pies, presumably for health reasons.
- On December 2nd, 1942, scientists at the University of Chicago achieved the first controlled nuclear chain reaction in history.
- James Earl Jones and Carrie Fisher, known for their roles as the voice of Darth Vader and Princess Leia, respectively, did not meet until they both appeared in an episode of The Big Bang Theory during its seventh season. This meeting occurred approximately 37 years after their iconic roles.
- The River Thames in London is home to at least five species of sharks, one of which is venomous.
- Following President Kennedy's assassination in 1963, the owner of the Texas School Book Depository building removed the infamous sniper's window and displayed it in his own home.
- Axolotls have the remarkable ability to regenerate missing body parts, including limbs, spinal cords, and even parts of their own brain. They can fully regrow a limb within a matter of weeks. Additionally, these fascinating creatures can remain in their larval form throughout their entire lives.
- NBA player Javel McGee and his mother, former WNBA player Pamela McGee, hold a unique distinction in history as the only mother-son duo to have both won Olympic gold medals.
- To help prevent future crashes, the state of South Dakota installs durable fatal accident markers at sites of fatal automobile crashes. These markers serve as memorials for the deceased and convey a thought-provoking message: "Think or Why Die."
- Before human settlement, New Zealand lacked any land-based mammals, except for three bat species.
- The Liberian Reconquista stands as the longest conflict in human history. This struggle, which took place on the European Peninsula, lasted for nearly 800 years and revolved around the tension between Christians and Muslims.
- Freshwater mussels, the same kind that are commonly consumed as food, begin their lives as parasitic larvae called glochidia. These larvae are expelled by their mother and must find a suitable host fish to attach themselves to the fish's gills and develop further.
- In Southeastern China, police departments have taken an unconventional approach by recruiting squirrels as alternative drug sniffer units. The decision to employ squirrels instead of the usual canines is based on their superior smelling and climbing capabilities.
- Seagulls in New Zealand are currently an endangered species, with a population of less than 100,000 remaining.
- During World War II, Jacob Nackin held the distinction of being the tallest German soldier, standing at a height of seven feet three inches or 2.21 meters.
- John Pemberton, a confederate officer, developed an addiction to Morphine following a saber injury. In an attempt to find a cure, Pemberton experimented with various concoctions, eventually creating Pemberton's French wine Cola and later Coca-Cola, utilizing coca and cola.
- According to the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, lead shielding is no longer deemed necessary during x-rays, as it not only fails to provide additional protection but may actually expose individuals to more radiation.
- Woolworths, also known as the Woolworth Company, was a popular store in the 20th century where everything was priced at five cents. Instead of going out of business, the company rebranded itself as Foot Locker, the name of its most profitable division.
- Since 2020, the Florida Everglades have experienced a significant invasion of Burmese pythons. These pythons have consumed a large number of mammals and currently have no natural predators.
- Bill Lear, the inventor of the Learjet, also had a hand in creating the eight-track tape cartridge in 1964, originally referred to as the Learjet stereo 8 cartridge.
- American yellow mustard, known as cream salad mustard, was initially introduced by George J French in 1904.
- Queen Elizabeth II left behind a sealed letter upon her death, which is not to be opened until the year 2085.
- Betty Crocker, while often perceived as a real person, is actually a mascot for General Mills.
- More books and articles have been written about U.S President Lincoln than any other American, totaling over 16,000.
- Estrogen, found in birth control pills, can sometimes be excreted in human waste, leading to its presence in Municipal Wastewater and eventually the environment. As a result, certain species of male fish are experiencing feminization.
- The 1996 Cyclone Olivia, which struck Australia, boasted an impressive wind speed of over 254 miles per hour or 408 kilometers per hour. It holds the record for the fastest non-tornadic surface wind speed ever observed on Earth.
- When one apple in a bunch releases ethylene, a hydrocarbon gas, it can ruin all the other apples in the bunch.
- The perfect glob or wave of toothpaste depicted on boxes and in advertisements is known as a nerdle. Surprisingly, companies like Colgate and Glaxo have engaged in lawsuits over the usage of this term.
- During World War II, only 30 to 40 percent of the German Army was mechanized, with the remainder relying on rails or horse-drawn transportation.
- Due to years of genetic modification, modern fruit has become excessively sweet for zoo animals, leading to zoos having to discontinue feeding them to the animals.
- Philippe Khan is credited with inventing the first camera phone in 1997. His inaugural photo captured his newborn daughter, Sophie
- . In 1995, an anonymous sender mailed a one million dollar McDonald's Monopoly game piece to a hospital in Memphis. McDonald's honored the piece and paid the hospital a prize of fifty thousand dollars for 20 years. It was later revealed that this piece was acquired as part of a long-running scam orchestrated by the ringleader.
- In the 1950s, a popular men's hairstyle known as the duck's ass involved slicking back the sides of the hair to resemble the hindquarters of a duck.
- Mangoes, despite their deliciousness, belong to the poison ivy family and bear a chemical called urushiol on their skin.
- Holding your urine for an extended period of time can lead to kidney failure and be fatal.
- Before the widespread use of password protection, IBM computers were equipped with physical key locks. These locks served various purposes, such as preventing keyboard input, locking the power switch in the off position, and securing the computer case from being opened.
- In ancient times, both Egyptians and Greeks utilized electric fish for the treatment of conditions like arthritis, gout, and other ailments.
- Since the 1990s, Brussels sprouts have undergone systematic breeding to reduce bitterness and enhance their taste.
- Bill Wilson, the co-founder of AA, believed that LSD had the potential to assist alcoholics in overcoming their addiction.
- The Wonder of the Seas, currently in operation, surpasses the Titanic in size, being 35 percent longer and 127 percent wider.
About the Creator
Marius Doni
Writing is an intimate journey through my inner landscape, a medium that allows me to connect with myself and potentially resonate with others who may find solace, inspiration or understanding in my words.
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