125 Interesting Facts About Practically Everything - Reader's ...

Because limes are denser than lemons, they drop to the bottom of a glass, while lemons float at the top. Out of all these random fun facts, this ... Share Save Saved ShareonFacebook SaveonPinterest Tweetthis Email Next Skiptomaincontent MENU TheHealthy Food Home Humor Knowledge Holidays Videos Subscribe Searchterms Searchformsubmitbutton ToggleSearch SignUpForOurNewsletters SignUpforOurNewsletters RD.COMKnowledgeFacts 125InterestingFactsAboutPracticallyEverything ElizabethYukoUpdated:Feb.03,2022 Theserandomfunfactswillentertain,enlighten,andtotallyblowyourmind. Everyeditorialproductisindependentlyselected,thoughwemaybecompensatedorreceiveanaffiliatecommissionifyoubuysomethingthroughourlinks.Ratingsandpricesareaccurateanditemsareinstockasoftimeofpublication. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Interestingfactsyou’llwanttosharewitheveryone Randomfunfactscatchusoffguardinthebestpossibleway.They’reunexpectedorunusualbitsofknowledgefromtheworldsofscience,history,and popculture thatdelightandentertainus—andanyonewesharethemwith.Buttheseinterestingfactsaren’tjustamusingpiecesofinformationthatwillmakeyouawhizatansweringtriviaquestions:They’relegitimatelyfascinating,andonceyougetstarted,you’llwanttokeepreadinguntilyourcuriosityissatisfied. Whetheryou’reintoweirdfactsthatalmostdon’tsoundtrue(buttotallyare), randomtrivia, sciencetrivia, animaltrivia, cartoontrivia, movietrivia,and/or booktrivia,you’llfindplentyofnewinformationhere.Andifyou’relookingfor triviaquestionsforkids toentertainthemduringafamilydinneroralongroadtrip,we’vegotplentyofthose,too! ⓘ rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:Theworld’soldestwoodenwheelhasbeenaroundformorethan5,000years Itwasfoundin2002,approximately12milessouthofLjubljana,thecapitalofSlovenia,andisnowhousedinthecity’smuseum.Radiocarbondatingwasusedtodeterminethewheel’sage,whichissomewherebetween5,100and5,350yearsold.Closertohome,thesearetheoldesttouristattractionsineverystate. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:Deadskincellsareamainingredientinhouseholddust Here’saninterestingsciencefactforyou:AccordingtoresearchersatImperialCollegeLondon,humansshedaround200millionskincellseachhour—andtheyhavetogosomewherewhenwe’reindoors.Iftheideaofskindustisn’tsittingwellwithyou,youshouldknowthatareportfromtheAmericanChemicalSocietyfoundthataskinoilcalledsqualenenaturallyhelpsreduceindoorozonelevelsbyupto15percent. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:Sudanhasmorepyramidsthananycountryintheworld NotonlydoesSudanhavemorepyramidsthanEgypt,butthenumbersaren’tevenclose.While138pyramidshavebeendiscoveredinEgypt,Sudanboastsaround255.Next,seeifyoucananswertheserealJeopardy!questionsaboutgeography. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:Thebumblebeebatistheworld’ssmallestmammal Weighinginat0.05to0.07ounces,withahead-to-bodylengthof1.14to1.29inchesandawingspanof5.1to5.7inches,thebumblebeebat—alsoknownasKitti’shog-nosedbat—isthesmallestmammalintheworld,accordingtotheGuinnessBookofWorldRecords.Toseethistinybatforyourself,you’dhavetovisitoneofaselectfewlimestonecavesontheKhwaeNoiRiverinKanchanaburiProvinceofsouthwestThailand.HerearemoreofEarth’stiniestcreaturesthatplayabigroleintheenvironment. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:Thecirculatorysystemismorethan60,000mileslong Ifachild’sentirecirculatorysystem—we’retalkingveins,arteries,andcapillaries—werelaidoutflat,itwouldstretchformorethan60,000miles,accordingtotheFranklinInstitute.Bythetimewereachadulthood,ourbodieshavebecomehometoapproximately100,000milesofbloodvessels.That’sjustoneofthemind-blowingfactsthatsoundmadeup(butaren’t). rd.com,GettyImages Fact:TherearepartsofAfricainallfourhemispheres ForpeoplewhoseeducationwaslargelyfocusedontheWesternworld,itmaybesurprisingtofindoutexactlyhowhugethecontinentofAfricais.Forinstance,itspansallfourhemispheresandcoversnearly12millionsquaremiles.Here’sanotherinterestingfact:Doyouknow theonlycitythatstraddlestwocontinents? rd.com,GettyImages Fact:Thecorneaisoneofonlytwopartsofthehumanbodywithoutbloodvessels Thecorneaistheclearpartoftheeyethatcoversthepupilandotherpartsoftheeye.Cartilageandthecorneaaretheonlytypestissueinthehumanbodythatdonotcontainbloodvessels,accordingtoscientistsattheHarvardDepartmentofOphthalmology’sSchepensEyeResearchInstitute.Youreyealsohassomeotherbizarrefeaturesyouprobablydidn’tknowabout. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:Theworld’sfirstanimatedfeaturefilmwasmadeinArgentina EvenifyouknowalotofDisneytrivia,youmightassumethatthehonoroffirstanimatedfeaturefilmbelongstoWaltDisney’s1937movieSnowWhiteandtheSevenDwarfs.But20yearsearlier,afull-lengthanimatedfeaturefilmwasmadeinArgentina.ItwasapoliticalsatirecalledElApóstolmadeupof58,000drawingsandhadarunningtimeof70minutes,accordingtotheGuinnessBookofWorldRecords. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:GermanchocolatecakewasinventedinTexas The“German”partofGermanchocolatecakecomesfromanAmericanman—notaEuropeancountry.Specifically,it’snamedafterSamGerman,whoin1852createdtheformulaforamilddarkbakingchocolatebarforBaker’sChocolateCompany,whichwassubsequentlynamedBaker’sGerman’sSweetChocolate.Fast-forwardtoJune13,1957.TheDallasMorningStarpublishedtherecipeforthecake,inventedandsubmittedbyareaderidentifiedasMrs.GeorgeClay,accordingtoWhat’sCookingAmerica. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:MarlaGibbscontinuedtoworkasaflightattendantfortwoyearsafterbeingcastonahitTVshow Priortotakingherplaceonthestoopof227,MarlaGibbsplayedthehousekeeperFlorenceonTheJeffersons(aspin-offofAllintheFamily).Ina2015interview,GibbstoldtheWashingtonPostthatdespiteitappearingasthoughshehadgottenherbigbreak,shekeptherjobasaflightattendantforAmericanAirlinesfortwomoreyears—justtobesafe. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:ThePhilippinesconsistsof7,641islands ThePhilippinesisanarchipelago,whichmeansit’smadeupofagroupofislands—7,641islands,tobeexact.Thatfiguredoesnotincludethethousandsofsandbarsandotherlandformsthatemergeduringlowtide. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:Aone-waytripontheTrans-SiberianRailwayinvolvescrossing3,901bridges NotonlyistheTrans-SiberianRailwaythelongestrailroadinRussia,butit’salsothelongestoneintheworld.Thejourneytakessevendays,duringwhichtimepassengerspassthrougheightdifferenttimezonesandcross3,901bridges. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:TheGoldenGirlswassupposedtohaveadifferentthemesong That’sright:InsteadofAndrewGold’siconic“ThankYouforBeingaFriend,”theshow’sproducerswantedtouseBetteMidler’ssong“Friends,”accordingtoJimColucci,authorofthebookGoldenGirlsForever:AnUnauthorizedLookBehindtheLanai.ButtherightstotheDivineMissM’ssongweretooexpensive,andtherestissitcomhistory. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:There’senoughgoldinsideEarthtocoattheplanet Turnsout,there’squiteabitofgoldon—or,really,in—ourplanet:99percentofthepreciousmetalcanbefoundintheEarth’score,DiscoverMagazinereports.Howmuchisthere?EnoughtocoattheentiresurfaceoftheEarthin1.5feetofgold. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:Clevelandwasoncethecountry’sfifth-largestcity Datafromthe1920U.S.censusindicatesthatCleveland,Ohio,wasoneofthemostheavilypopulatedcitiesinthecountry,behindonlyDetroit,Philadelphia,Chicago,andNewYorkCity.Today,thesearethelargestcitiesintheworld. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:HumanbeingscanuseonlyasmallfractionofEarth’swater Inschool,weweretaughtthatmost(specifically,71percent)oftheplanet’ssurfaceiscoveredinwater.Whilethat’strue,humanscanuseonly0.007percentofthatwater,accordingtoNationalGeographic.That’sbecauseonlyabout2.5percentofEarth’swaterisfreshwater,andonly1percentofthatisaccessible.Therestmakesupglaciersandsnowfields. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:WallyAmosisresponsibleformakingmorethanjustcookiesfamous YoumaybefamiliarwithWally“Famous”Amos,thankstohispackagedchocolatechipcookies.Butbeforeheworkedhismagiconthesweettreats,hewasinthebusinessofmakingpeoplefamous,Biographyreports.HediscoveredandsignedfolkduoSimon&GarfunkelandwasatalentrepforactslikeDianaRoss,SamCooke,andMarvinGaye. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:ThebrandnameSpamisacombinationof“spice”and“ham” Thisisoneofthoseinterestingfactsyouprobablythoughtyouknewbutactuallydidn’t.ContrarytoAmericanmythology,Spamisnotanacronymfor“ScientificallyProcessedAnimalMatter”or“ShoulderofPorkandHam,”Eaterreports. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:Ittakesadropofwater90daystotraveltheentireMississippiRiver Spanning2,340miles,theMississippiRiveristhethird-largestwatershedintheworld.That’sonelongstretchofwater.Solong,infact,thatittakesonedropofwaterapproximately90daystotravelitsentirelength. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:Peopleonceatearsenictoimprovetheirskin You’veprobablyheardabouthowalotoftheVictorians’favoritecosmeticswereriddledwitharsenic,butitgetsworse.Therewerealsoproductsonthemarketinthelate19thcentury,likeDr.JamesP.Campbell’sSafeArsenicComplexionWafers,thatweremeanttobeeaten.Theyclaimedtogetridoffreckles,blackheads,andother“facialdisfigurements.”Admitit:That’soneofthemostinterestingfactsyou’velearnedinawhile. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:ThefirstpersonprocessedatEllisIslandwasa15-year-oldgirlfromIreland OnJanuary1,1892,AnnieMoorewasthefirstpassengertodisembarkatEllisIslandonitsopeningday.ShehadtraveledtotheUnitedStateswithhertwoyoungerbrothersaboardtheSSNevadaafterdepartingfromQueenstown,Ireland(nowknownasCobh).Anotheramazingfact?ThebusiestdayatEllisIslandwasApril17,1907. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:Japanhasonevendingmachineforevery40people Japanisthoughttohaveoneofthehighestdensitiesofvendingmachinesintheworld,withoneforevery40peopleinthecountry.Whilemostsellvarioustypesofbeverages,othersfeatureicecream,noodles,anddisposablecameras. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:Lemonsfloat,butlimessink Becauselimesaredenserthanlemons,theydroptothebottomofaglass,whilelemonsfloatatthetop.Outofalltheserandomfunfacts,thisone’sbeeninfrontofourfaces(orrather,inourglasses)thiswholetime!Checkouttheseotherthingstowonderaboutthatyoulikelyneverthoughtofbefore. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:Professionalathletesusedtoperforminvaudevilleduringtheoff-season Beforetoday’sbig-leaguesalaries,professionalbaseballandfootballplayersoftenhadtotakeonjobsduringtheoff-season,TheAtlanticreports.Someofthemtookadvantageoftheirnamerecognitionandhitthevaudevillecircuits,doingeverythingfromcomedyroutinestorecitingpoems.BabeRuthevensang—ifyoucouldcallitthat.Frankly,manyoftheathleteshadnobusinessbeingonstage,butit’snotlikeitwasagainsttherules,unlikethesestrangethingsthathavebeenbannedinsports. rd.com,GettyImages(2) Fact:Thefirsttimetheword“period”wasusedonTVinreferencetomenstruationwas1985 ItcameviaalineinaTampaxcommercial:“Feelingcleanerismorecomfortable.Itcanactuallychangethewayyoufeelaboutyourperiod.”AndtheactorwhomadepopculturehistorywasCourtneyCoxofFriendsfame. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:McDonald’soncemadebubblegum-flavoredbroccoli Thiscrazy McDonald’sfactwillhaveyourtastebudscrawling.Unsurprisingly,theattempttogetkidstoeathealthierdidn’tgooverwellwiththechildtesters,whowere“confusedbythetaste.” rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Somefungicreatezombies,thencontroltheirminds ThetropicalfungusOphiocordycepsinfectsants’centralnervoussystems.Onceithasbeeninaninsect’sbodyforninedays,ithascompletecontroloverthehost’smovements.AccordingtoNationalGeographic,itforcestheanttoclimbtrees,thenconvulseandfallintothecool,moistsoilbelow,wherefungithrive.Oncethere,thefunguswaitsuntilexactlysolarnoontoforcetheanttobitealeafandwaitfordeath. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Thefirstorangesweren’torange TheoriginalorangesfromSoutheastAsiawereatangerine-pomelohybrid,andtheywereactuallygreen.Infact,orangesinwarmerregions,suchasVietnamandThailand,stillstaygreenthroughmaturity.Speakingofwhich,everwonderwhich“orange”camefirst:thecolororthefruit?Wefoundout! rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:There’sonlyoneletterthatdoesn’tappearinanyU.S.statename Canyouguesstheanswertothisrandomfunfact?You’llfindaZ(Arizona),aJ(NewJersey),andeventwoX’s(NewMexicoandTexas)—butnotasingleQ. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Acow-bisonhybridiscalledabeefalo Youcanevenbuyitsmeatinatleast21states. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:JohnnyAppleseed’sfruitsweren’tforeating Yes,therewasarealJohnChapmanwhoplantedthousandsofappletreesonU.S.soil.Buttheapplesonthosetreesweremuchmorebitterthantheonesyou’dfindinthesupermarkettoday.“JohnnyAppleseed”didn’texpecthisfruitstobeeatenwholebutrathermadeintohardapplecider. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Scotlandhas421wordsforsnow Yes,421!Someexamples:sneesl(tostartrainingorsnowing);feefle(toswirl);and flinkdrinkin(alightsnow). rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Samsungtestsphonedurabilitywithabutt-shapedrobot Peoplestashtheirphonesintheirbackpocketsallthetime,whichiswhySamsungcreatedarobotshapedlikeabuttto“sit”ontheirphonestomakesuretheycantakethepressure.Believeitornot,therobotevenwearsjeans. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:TheWindyCitynicknamehasnothingtodowithChicago’sweather IfyouliveinChicago,youmightalreadyknowthisrandomfact,butwe’rebettingmostotherpeopledon’t.Chicago’snicknamewascoinedby19th-centuryjournalistswhowerereferringtothefactthatitsresidentswere“windbags”and“fullofhotair.” rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Peanutsaren’ttechnicallynuts They’relegumes.AccordingtoMerriam-Webster,anutisonlyanutifit’s“ahard-shelleddryfruitorseedwithaseparablerindorshellandinteriorkernel.”Thatmeanswalnuts,almonds,cashews,andpistachiosaren’tnutseither.They’reseeds. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Armadilloshellsarebulletproof Infact,oneTexasmanwashospitalizedwhenabulletheshotatanarmadilloricochetedofftheanimalandhithiminthejaw.That’satotallytrueanimaltidbit.Theseanimal“facts,”however,arefalse. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Firefightersusewettingagentstomakewaterwetter Thechemicalsreducethesurfacetensionofplainwatersoit’seasiertospreadandbettersoaksintoobjects,whichiswhyit’sknownas“wetwater.” rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:ThelongestEnglishwordis189,819letterslong Wewon’tspellitouthere,butthefullnamefortheproteinnicknamedtitinwouldtakethreeandahalfhourstosayoutloud.Whilethisis,byfar,thelongestwordinEnglish,thelongestwordintheOxfordEnglishDictionaryhas45letters,andthelongestmade-upwordhasjust28.Justafewmoreinterestingfactsforyournextcocktailparty! rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:“Runningamok”isamedicallyrecognizedmentalcondition Consideredaculturallyboundsyndrome,aperson“runningamok”inMalaysiastartswithaperiodofbroodingandthencommitsasudden,frenziedmassattack. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Someoctopusspecieslay56,000eggsatatime Onaverage,agiantPacificoctopuswilllay56,000eggsattheendofapregnancy,overthecourseofaboutamonth,NPRreports.Atfirst,thesenewbabiesfloatthroughthesurroundingwaterunattachedtooneanotherortheirmother.Butthenthemothergatherseachegg—whichisaboutthesizeofagrainofrice—andweavesthemintobraids,allowinghertokeepaneyeoneveryoneatthesametime. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Catshavefewertoesontheirbackpaws Likemostfour-leggedmammals,catshavefivetoesonthefront,buttheirbackpawsonlyhavefourtoes.Scientiststhinkthefour-toedbackpawsmighthelpthemrunfaster.Herearemorepurr-fectlyfascinatingfactsaboutcats. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Kleenextissueswereoriginallyintendedforgasmasks WhentherewasacottonshortageduringWorldWarI,Kimberly-Clarkdevelopedathin,flatcottonsubstitutethatthearmytriedtouseasafilteringasmasks.Thewarendedbeforescientistsperfectedthematerial,sothecompanyredevelopedittobesmootherandsofter,thenmarketedKleenexasfacialtissueinstead. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Bluewhaleseathalfamillioncaloriesinonemouthful Justtrytowrapyourbrainaroundthesecondpartofthisanimalfact:Those457,000caloriesaremorethan240timestheenergythewhaleusestoscoopthosekrillintoitsmouth. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Thattinypocketinjeanswasdesignedtostorepocketwatches Theoriginaljeanshadonlyfourpockets:thattinypocket,plustwomoreonthefrontandjustoneintheback. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Turkeyscanblush Whenturkeysarescaredorexcited—likewhenthemalesseeafemalethey’reinterestedin—thepaleskinontheirheadandneckturnsbrightred,blue,orwhite.Theflapofskinovertheirbeaks,calledasnood,alsoreddens.Bytheway,thisiswhythepresidentpardonsaturkeyeveryThanksgiving. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:MostDisneycharacterswearglovestokeepanimationsimple WaltDisneymighthavebeenthefirsttoputglovesonhischaracters,asseenin1929’s TheOpryHouse, starringMickeyMouse. Inadditiontobeingeasiertoanimate,there’sanotherreasonforthegloves: “Wedidn’twanthimtohavemousehandsbecausehewassupposedtobemorehuman,”Disneytoldhisbiographerin1957. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Themanwiththeworld’sdeepestvoicecanmakesoundshumanscan’thear Theman,TimStorms,can’tevenhearthenote,whichiseightoctavesbelowthelowestGonapiano—butelephantscan. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:ThecurrentAmericanflagwasdesignedbyahighschoolstudent ItstartedasaschoolprojectforBobHeft’sjunior-yearhistoryclassin1958,anditonlyearnedaB-minus.Hisdesignhad50stars,eventhoughAlaskaandHawaiiweren’tstatesyet;Heftfiguredthetwowouldearnstatehoodsoonandshowedthegovernmenthisdesign.AfterPresidentDwightD.Eisenhowercalledtosaythedesignwasapproved,Heft’steacherchangedhisgradetoanA. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Cowsdon’thaveupperfrontteeth Theydohavemolarsontop,inthebackoftheirmouths,butwhereyou’dexpectupperincisors,cows,sheep,andgoatshaveathicklayeroftissuecalledadentalpad.Theyusethatwiththeirbottomteethtopulloutgrass. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Thanksto3Dprinting,NASAcanbasicallyemailtoolstoastronauts GettingnewequipmenttotheSpaceStationusedtotakemonthsoryears,butthenewtechnologymeansthetoolsarereadywithinhours. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:OnlyaquarteroftheSaharaDesertissandy Mostofitiscoveredingravel,thoughitalsocontainsmountainsandoases.Andhere’sanothergeographyfactthateveryonegetswrong:Itisn’ttheworld’slargestdesert.Antarcticais. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Bananasgrowupsidedown Ortechnically,wepeelthemupsidedown.Naturally,theygrowoutwardfromtheirstems,butthatmeanstheirbottomsactuallyfacethesky.Astheygetbigger,thefruitsturntowardthesun,formingthatdistinctivecurve. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Therewereactivevolcanoesonthemoonwhendinosaurswerealive Mostofthevolcanoesprobablystoppederuptingaboutabillionyearsago,butNASAfindingshavesuggestedtheremightstillhavebeenactivelavaflow100millionyearsago,whendinosaurswerestillroaming. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Dogssniffgoodsmellswiththeirleftnostril Dogsnormallystartsniffingwiththeirrightnostril,thenkeepitthereifthesmellcouldsignaldanger,butthey’llshifttotheleftsideforsomethingpleasant,likefoodoramatingpartner.Ifyou’readoglover,you’llwanttoknowtheseotherfascinatingfactsaboutdogs. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Avocadoswerenamedafterreproductiveorgans You’llneverlookatavocadosthesamewayagain.IndigenouspeopleofMexicoandCentralAmericausedtheNahuatlwordāhuacatltomeanboth“testicles”and“avocado.”Thefruitswereoriginallymarketedas“alligatorpears”intheUnitedStatesuntilthecurrentnamestuck. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:T.S.Eliotworegreenmakeup Nooneissurewhythepoetdustedhisfacewithgreenpowder,thoughsomeguesshewasjusttryingtolookmoreinteresting. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Theword“fizzle”startedasatypeoffart Inthe1400s,itmeantto“breakwindquietly,”accordingtotheEnglishOxfordLivingDictionaries.Theseotherdictionaryfactswillmakeyourealizejusthowinterestingthesebigbooksare. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Humannosesandearsgetbiggerasweage It’sprettycommontoseetheclaimthatournoseandearsaretheonlypartsofourbodythatkeepgrowingasweage,butthat’snotexactlytrue.Ournoseandearsstopgrowingalongwiththerestofourbody,butthankstotheweightofgravity,bothpartscontinuetolengthenovertime,accordingtotheDiscoveryChannel. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Nonumberbefore1,000containstheletterA Butthereareplentyof E’s,I’s,O’s,U’s,andY’s. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:The#symbolisn’tofficiallycalledhashtagorpound Itstechnicalnameisoctothorpe.The“octo”means“eight”andreferstoitspoints,thoughreportsdisagreeonwhere“thorpe”camefrom.SomeclaimitwasnamedafterOlympianJimThorpe,whileothersargueitwasjustanonsensesuffix. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:TheFrenchhavetheirownnameforaFrenchkiss Somethingextrainterestingaboutthis kissingfact?Thewordhasn’tbeenaroundforlong.In2014,galocher—meaningtokisswithtongues—wasaddedtothePetitRobertFrenchdictionary. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:YoucanthanktheGreeksforcallingChristmas“Xmas” InGreek,thewordfor“Christ”startswiththeletterChi,whichlookslikeanXintheRomanalphabet.Ifyou’refascinatedbythisfact,you’llbeequallytransfixedbythehistoryoftheseChristmassymbols. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Movietrailersoriginallyplayedafterthemovie They“trailed”thefeaturefilm—hence,thename.Thefirsttrailerappearedin1912andwasforaBroadwayshow,notamovie. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Mercedesinventedacarcontrolledbyajoystick Thejoystickinthe1966MercedesF200showcasecarcontrolledspeedanddirection,replacingboththesteeringwheelandpedals.Thecarcouldalsosensewhichsidethedriverwassittingin,sosomeonecouldcontrolitfromthepassengerseat. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:H&Mactuallystandsforsomething Thisisoneofthoseinterestingfactsyou’veprobablyneverthoughtaboutbefore.TheclothingretailshopwasoriginallycalledHennes—Swedishfor“hers”—beforeacquiringthehuntingandfishingequipmentbrandMauritzWidforss.Eventually,Hennes&MauritzwasshortenedtoH&M. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:TheU.S.governmentsavedeverypublictweetfrom2006through2017 Startingin2018,theLibraryofCongressdecidedtoonlykeeptweetson“averyselectivebasis,”includingelectionsandthosedealingwithsomethingofnationalinterest,likepublicpolicy. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:TheodoreRoosevelthadapethyena ItsnamewasBill,anditwasapresentfromtheEthiopianemperor.Rooseveltwasfamousforhismanypets,includingaone-leggedrooster,abadger,apony,andasmallbear.Andhe’snottheonlyonewhohadaninterestinunusualanimals—herearemorebizarrepetsownedbyU.S.presidents. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:TheCIAheadquartershasitsownStarbucks,butbaristasdon’twritenamesonthecups Itsreceiptssay“StoreNumber1”insteadof“Starbucks,”anditsworkersneedanescorttoleavetheirworkposts. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Giraffetonguescanbe20incheslong Theirdark,bluish-blackcolorisprobablytopreventsunburn. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:There’sonlyoneU.S.statecapitalwithoutaMcDonald’s Montpelier,Vermont,doesn’thaveanyofthoseGoldenArches.Italsohappenstohavethesmallestpopulationofanystatecapital,withjust7,500residents. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Europeanswerescaredofeatingtomatoeswhentheywereintroduced ScholarsthinkHernánCortésbroughttheseedsin1519withtheintentofthefruitsbeingusedornamentallyingardens.Bythe1700s,aristocratsstartedeatingtomatoes,buttheywereconvincedthefruitswerepoisonousbecausepeoplewoulddieaftereatingthem.Inreality,theacidityfromthetomatoesbroughtouttheleadintheirpewterplates,andtheyactuallydiedofleadpoisoning. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Humansaren’ttheonlyanimalsthatdream Studieshaveindicatedratsdreamaboutgettingtofoodorrunningthroughmazes.MostmammalsgothroughREMsleep,thecycleinwhichdreamsoccur,soscientiststhinkthere’sagoodchancetheyalldream. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Theinventorofthemicrowaveappliancereceivedonly$2forhisdiscovery PercySpencerwasworkingasaresearcherforAmericanApplianceCompany(nowRaytheon)whenhenoticedthataradarsetusingelectromagneticwavesmeltedthecandybarinhispocket.Hehadtheideatomakeametalboxusingmicrowavestoheatfood,butthecompanywastheonetofilethepatent.Thatwasin1945,andhereceiveda$2bonusbutneveranyroyalties.Checkoutthemostimportantinventiontheyearyouwereborn. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:TheEiffelTowercangrowmorethansixinchesduringthesummer Thehightemperaturesmaketheironexpand. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Glittermayhaveoriginatedonaranch Accordingtolocallore,amanbythenameofHenryRuschmannfromBernardsville,NewJersey,inventedglitterbyaccidentin1934whileworkingonacattleranch.TheNewYorkTimesreportsthatinthepopularoriginstory,Ruschmann,amachinist,wastryingtofindawaytodisposeofscrapmaterialbycrushingitintotinypieces.Plasticwentin,glittercameout,andtherestiscommonlyacceptedashistory. rd.com,Viaamazon.com,Shutterstock Fact:Frankenstein’sCreatureisavegetarian BothVictorFrankensteinandCreaturearefictionalcharactersinMaryShelley’s Frankenstein.Intheclassicnovel,Creaturesays,“Myfoodisnotthatofman;Idonotdestroythelambandthekidtoglutmyappetite;acornsandberriesaffordmesufficientnourishment.”Thisisoneoftheinterestingfactsyoushoulddefinitelysharewithyourvegetarianfriends! rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Medicalerrorsareatopcauseofdeath AccordingtoaJohnsHopkinsresearchteam,250,000deathsintheUnitedStatesarecausedbymedicalerroreachyear.Thismakesmedicalerrorthethirdleadingcauseofdeathinthecountry. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Slothshavemoreneckbonesthangiraffes Despitethedifferenceinnecklength,therearemorebonesintheneckofasloththanagiraffe.Therearesevenvertebraeintheneckofagiraffe,andinmostmammals,butthereare10inasloth’s.Whilethey’reonyourmind,herearesomeadorableslothpicturesyoutotallyneedtosee. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:BeescanflyhigherthanMountEverest Beescanflyhigherthan29,525feetabovesealevel,accordingtoNationalGeographic.That’shigherthanMountEverest,thetallestmountainintheworld. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:AncientEgyptiansuseddeadmicetoeasetoothaches InAncientEgypt,peopleputadeadmouseintheirmouthiftheyhadatoothache,accordingtoNathanBelofsky’sbookStrangeMedicine:AShockingHistoryofRealMedicalPracticesThroughtheAges.MicewerealsousedasawartsremedyinElizabethanEngland. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Cap’nCrunch’sfullnameisHoratioMagellanCrunch He’salsobeencalledoutforonlyhavingthebarsofaNavycommander,buttheso-calledcap’nheldhisgroundonTwitter,arguingthatcaptainingtheS.S.Guppywithhiscrew“makesanofficialCap’ninanybook!”Whilethecap’nisafictionalcharacter,thesearetherealpeoplebehindsomefamousfoodbrands. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Paintusedtobestoredinpigbladders Thebladderwouldbesealedwithastringandthenprickedtogetthepaintout.Thisoptionwasn’tthebestbecauseitwouldoftenbreakopen.AmericanpainterJohnG.Randwastheinnovatorwho,inthe19thcentury,madepainttubesfromtinandscrewcaps. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:HumanshavejumpedfartherthanhorsesintheOlympics TheOlympicworldrecordforthelongesthumanlongjumpisgreaterthantheworldrecordforlongesthorselongjump.MikePowellsettherecordin1991byjumping8.95meters,andthehorseExtraDrysettherecordin1900byjumping6.10meters.SpeakingofrandomfunfactsabouttheOlympics,doyouknow whattheOlympicringssymbolize? rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:TheTerminatorscriptwassoldfor$1 JamesCameronistheaward-winningdirectorofmovieslikeTitanicandAvatar.InordertogethisbigbreakwithTheTerminator,hesoldthescriptfor$1andapromisethathe’ddirectit.Ofcourse,thismoviehassomeofthemostfamousmoviequotesofalltimeinit. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:PigeonpoopisthepropertyoftheBritishCrown Inthe18thcentury,pigeonpoopwasusedtomakegunpowder,soKingGeorgeIconfirmedthedroppingstobethepropertyoftheCrown.Ifyou’reinterestedinfactsabouttheroyalstoday,we’vegotplentyofthosetoo. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:OnionswerefoundintheeyesofanEgyptianmummy PharaohRamsesIVofancientEgypthadhiseyesreplacedwithsmallonionswhenhewasmummified.Theringsandlayersofonionswereworshippedbecausepeoplethoughttheyrepresentedeternallife.Thisalignswiththereasonformummification:toallowthepharaohtoliveforever. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:AbrahamLincolnwasabartender Youknowthatthe16th presidentoftheUnitedStatesfoughtforthefreedomofslavesandtheUnion,butwhatyoudidn’tknowisthathewasalicensedbartender.Lincoln’sliquorlicensewasdiscoveredin1930anddisplayedinaSpringfieldliquorstore.AccordingtoWayneC.Temple,aLincolnexpert, CongresswantedtofireUlyssesS.Grantin1863becausehedrankalot,andLincoln’sresponsewastosendGrantasupplyofwhiskey.HerearemorefactsaboutU.S.presidentsevenhistorybuffsdon’tknow. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Beethovenneverknewhowtomultiplyordivide TherenownedpianistwenttoaLatinschoolcalledTirocinium,wherehewastaughtsomemathbutneverlearnedmultiplicationordivision—onlyaddition.Once,whenheneededtomultiply62by50,hewrote62downaline50timesandaddeditallup. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Japanreleasedsushi-inspiredKitKats Foralimitedtimein2017,Tokyo’sKitKatChocolatoryshopmadethreetypesofthechocolatebarthatwereinspiredbysushibutdidn’tactuallytastelikerawfish.Thetunasushiwasraspberry,theseaweed-wrappedonetastedlikepumpkinpudding,andtheseaurchinsushiwastheflavorofHokkaidomelonwithmascarponecheese.Allweremadewithpuffedrice,whitechocolate,andabitofwasabi. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Anespressomakerwassentintospacein2015 Coffeeloverswillappreciatethisinterestingspacefact:SamanthaCristoforettiwasthefirstastronauttogetawarmandcozypieceofhomesenttoherwhileinorbit.TheItalianSpaceAgencyworkedwithItaliancoffeemanufacturerLavazzatogetthecoffeecapsulesintospace. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Theword“aquarium”means“wateringplaceforcattle”inLatin Ofcourse,today’saquariumsaren’tforcows.Thefirstaquariumthatlookslikewhatyou’dimaginewascreatedin1921andopenedin1924inEngland. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:AnemployeeatPixaraccidentallydeletedasequenceofToyStory2duringproduction EdCatmull,thecofounderofPixar,wroteinhisbook,CreativityInc.,thattheyearbeforethemoviecameout,someoneenteredthecommand‘/bin/rm-r-f*’onthedrivewherethefilesweresaved,andscenesstarteddeleting.Itwouldhavetakenayeartorecreatewhatwasdeleted,butluckilyanotheremployeehadabackupoftheentirefilmonherlaptopathome. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:SteveJobs,SteveWozniak,andRonWaynestartedAppleInc.onAprilFools’Day ThethreetechnologyinnovatorssignedthedocumentstoformtheAppleComputerCompanyonApril1,1976.ButthecompanywasnotfullyincorporateduntilJanuary3,1977.Thirtyyearslater,thecompanywasrenamedAppleInc.andisnojoke.In2018,Applebecamethecountry’sfirsttrillion-dollarcompany.Ofcourse,computershavecomealongwayovertheyears—here’swhatcomputerslookedlikethedecadeyouwereborn. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:TheinventorofthetricyclepersonallydeliveredtwotoQueenVictoria In1881,QueenVictoriawasonatourontheIsleofWightwhenherhorseandcarriagecouldnotkeepupwithawomanridingatricycle.Intriguedbythebike,thequeenproceededtoordertwo.Shealsoaskedthattheinventor,JamesStarley,arrivewiththedelivery.Thoughyoumightassociatetricycleswithtoddlers,QueenVictoriamadethemcoolamongtheeliteatthetime. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Yourbrainsynapsesshrinkwhileyousleep ResearchersattheUniversityofWisconsin-MadisonCenterforSleepandConsciousnessstudiedmicetoobservewhathappenstotheirbrainswhiletheysleep.Dr.ChiaraCirelliandDr.GiulioTononifoundan18percentdecreaseinthesizeofsynapsesafterafewhoursofsleep.Don’tworry,though—thisnighttimebrainshrinkageactuallyhelpsyourcognitiveabilities.Speakingofyourmind,didyouknowthatthesebrainmythsaren’ttrue? rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:AwaffleironinspiredoneofthefirstpairsofNikes BillBowermanwasatrackandfieldcoachinthe1950swhodidn’tlikehowrunningshoesweremade.HefirstcreatedtheCortezshoebutwantedasneakerthatwasevenlighterandcouldbewornonavarietyofsurfaces.Duringawafflebreakfastwithhiswifein1970,hecameupwiththeideaofusingthewaffletextureonthesolesofrunningshoes.Waffle-soledshoesmadetheirbigdebutinthe1972U.S.OlympictrackandfieldtrialsinEugene,Oregon. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Boarswashtheirfood NationalGeographicreportedthatatBaselZooinSwitzerland,zookeeperswatchedadultandjuvenilewildboarspickupsandyapplesandbringthemtoanearbycreekintheirenvironmenttowashbeforeeating.Thoughsomeitemslikesugarbeetswereeatenwithoutthehuman-likebehavior,theboarsbroughtawholedeadchickentothecreektowashbeforechowingdown.Oneecologistcalledthisa“luxurybehavior.”Findoutwhichotheranimalsarethesmartest. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Baseballumpiresusedtositinrockingchairs Peoplehavebeenplayingbaseballsincethemid-19thcentury.Intheearlydays,umpireswouldofficiatethegameswhilereclininginarockingchairlocated20feetbehindhomeplate.By1878,theNationalLeaguealsodeclaredthathometeamsmustpayumpires$5pergame. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Thefirstcommercialpassengerflightlastedonly23minutes In1914,AbramPheilpaid$400(whichwouldbe$8,500today)fora23-minuteplaneride.TheFloridaflightflewbetweenSaintPetersburgandTampa,whereonly21milesofwaterseparatethecities.Pheil,aformermayorofSaintPetersburg,andthepilot,TonyJannus,weretheonlypassengers.Thismomentousflightpavedthewayforairtravelasweknowit.Speakingofwhich,herearesomeairplanefactsyou’vealwaysbeencuriousabout. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Theworld’sfirstnovelendsmid-sentence TheTaleofGenji,writtenbyMurasakiShikibuinthe11thcentury,isconsideredtheworld’sfirstnovel.Afterreading54intricatelycraftedchapters,thereaderisstoppedabruptlymid-sentence.Onetranslatorbelievestheworkiscompleteasis,butanothersayswe’remissingafewmorepagesofthestory. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:TheFrench-languageScrabbleWorldChampiondoesn’tspeakFrench NewZealandnativeNigelRichardsmemorizedtheentireFrenchScrabbledictionary,whichhas386,000words,innineweekstoearnhistitle.HehasalsowontheEnglishWorldScrabbleChampionshipthreetimes,theU.S.nationalchampionshipsfivetimes,andtheU.K.OpenScrabbletournamentsixtimes.Thiscomes20yearsaftera28-year-oldRichardsfirstplayedthegame.Don’tmisstheseotherrandomfunfactsaboutyourfavoritegames. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Awomancalledthepolicewhenhericecreamdidn’thaveenoughsprinkles TheWestMidlandspoliceinEnglandreleasedarecordingofawomanwhocalled999(theU.K.versionof911)becausetherewere“bitsononesideandnoneontheother,”shesaysintherecording.Shewasevenmoreupsetwhentheicecreamtruckmandidnotwanttogivehermoneyback. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:UncleBen’sricewasair-droppedtoWorldWarIItroops GermanchemistErichHuzenlaubinventedaprocessofparboilingricetokeepmorenutrientsinthericeandlessenthecookingtime.The“HuzenlaubProcess”hadanotherunexpectedbenefit:Itstoppedbuginfestations.Thequick-cook,bug-freericewasabigadvantageduringWorldWarII,andconvertedrice(asitwasthenknown)wasair-droppedtoAmericanandBritishtroops.Afterthewar,thecompanyrebrandeditselfandbecameUncleBen’sOriginalConvertedBrandRice,namedafteroneofthecompany’sbestricesuppliers.Theproducthitgrocerystoreshelvesin1947. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:TheBritishEmpirewasthelargestempireinworldhistory TheBritishEmpirewasmostpowerfulinthe1920s,whenitcontrolled23percentoftheworld’spopulationandapproximately13.7millionsquaremilesofterritory—ornearlyaquarteroftheEarth’slandarea,accordingtoareportfromStatista.Ifyoulovetheseinterestingfacts,testyourknowledgewithanother100historytriviaquestions. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:SouthAmericanriverturtlestalkintheireggs Turtlesdon’thavevocalcords,andtheirearsareinternal,soscientistsbelievedthatturtlesweredeafanddidn’tcommunicatethroughsounds.Butresearchhasfoundthatturtlesactuallycommunicateatanextremelylowfrequencythatsoundslike“clicks,clucks,andhoots”thatcanonlybeheardthroughahydrophone(amicrophoneusedunderwater).Thesesoundsevencomefromtheeggbeforetheturtlehatches.Researchershypothesizethatthishelpsalltheturtlesiblingshatchatonce. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Penicillinwasfirstcalled“moldjuice” In1928,bacteriologistAlexanderFlemingleftapetridishinhislabwhilehewasonvacation—onlytoreturnandfindthatsomeliquidaroundthemoldhadkilledthebacteriainthedish.Thisbecametheworld’sfirstantibiotic,butbeforenamingitpenicillin,hecalledit“moldjuice.”Herearemoreaccidentaldiscoveriesthatchangedtheworld. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Thefirststrollerwasengineeredtobepulledbyagoat(oranimalofsimilarsize) WilliamKent,alandscapearchitect,inventedthefirststrollerforthethirdDukeofDevonshirein1733.Butupper-classparentswerehardlyexpectedtoputeffortintotransportingtheirchildrenaround,soKentdesignedhismodeltobepulledbyasmallanimal,likeagoat. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:May20,1873,isthe“birthday”ofbluejeans AccordingtotheLeviStrausscompany,thiswasthedaythatLeviStraussandJacobDavis,theinnovatorsbehindthesturdybluejeanswealllove,gotapatentontheprocessofaddingmetalrivetstomen’sdenimworkpants.Thepantswerecalledwaistoverallsuntil1960,whenbabyboomersbegancallingthemjeans.AndFYI,thisiswhyblueisthemostpopulardenimcolor. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:170-year-oldbottlesofchampagnewerefoundatthebottomoftheBalticSea ThebottlesofbubblyarebelievedtohavebeentravelingfromGermanytoRussiaduringthe1800swhentheysanktothebottomofthesea,accordingto NewScientist.Itturnsoutthatthebottomofthesea,wheretemperaturesarebetweentwoandfourdegreesCelsius,isagreatplaceforwineaging.Wineexpertssampledthechampagneanddescribeditas“sometimescheesy”with“animalnotes”andelementsof“wethair.”Mmm. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:TheMGMlionroaristrademarked AtthestartofanymoviemadebytheMetro-Goldwyn-Mayerstudio,theiconiclionroarsattheaudience.WhileMGMhasgonethroughseveraliterationsoflionmascots,thesoundoftheroarisalwaysthesame.Thecompanytrademarkedthe“soundmark”withtheUnitedStatesPatentandTrademarkOfficeinthe1980s.Believeitornot,thesefamousphrasesarealsotrademarked. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:NeilArmstrong’shairwassoldin2004for$3,000 Theluckybuyer,JohnReznikoff,holdstheGuinnessWorldRecordforthelargestcollectionofhairfromhistoricalcelebrities,reportsNBC.ButArmstrong’slawyersthreatenedtosue MarxSizemore,the not-so-luckybarberwhocuttheformerastronaut’shair;they saidheviolatedanOhiolawthatprotectstherightsoffamouspeople.Sizemoresaidhewouldn’tpay,andReznikoffsaidhewouldn’tgivebackthehairbutthathe’ddonate$3,000tocharity. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:IrishbarsusedtobeclosedonSaintPatrick’sDay YoumightassociateSaintPatrick’sDaywithwearinggreenanddrinkingsomuchyouthinkyouactuallyseeleprechauns.Butuntil1961,therewerelawsinIrelandthatbannedbarsfromopeningonMarch17.SincetheholidayfallsduringtheperiodofLentintheheavilyCatholiccountry,theideaofbinge-drinkingseemedabitimmoral. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:NikolaTeslahatedpearls Theelectricalengineerpavedthewayforcurrentsystemgeneratorsandmotors;thewayelectricitygetstransmittedandconvertedtomechanicalpoweristhankstohisinventions.Butdespitehispatiencewithscientificexperimentation,heapparentlyhadnotoleranceforpearls.Whenhissecretaryworepearljewelryoneday,hemadehergohome. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:ThomasEdisonisthereasonyoulovecatvideos Afterinventingthekinetographin1892,Edisonwasabletorecordandwatchmovingimagesforthefirsttime.Hefilmedshortclipsinhisstudio,someofwhichfeaturefamouspeoplelikeAnnieOakleyandBuffaloBill.ButtherealstarsoftheseearlyvideosaretheBoxingCats—adorablecatsthatherecordedinaboxingringcirca1894.Ifyoulikecatvideos,you’llalsoappreciatethesecatmemes. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:BradPittsufferedanironicinjuryonafilmset In Troy,basedonHomer’sIlliad,Pittplaysthebrave(andbuff)GreekheroAchilles.LegendhasitthatAchillescouldnotbedefeatedunlesshitinhisheel.(It’swherewegettheterm“Achilles’heel,”meaningavulnerablepoint.)Whilefilminganepicbattlescene,PittironicallyhurthisAchillestendon—aninjurythatsetbackthefilm’sproductionbytwomonths. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Pregnancytestsdatebackto1350B.C.E. Accordingtoadocumentwrittenonancientpapyrus,Egyptianwomenurinatedonwheatandbarleyseedstodetermineiftheywerepregnantornot,reportstheOfficeofHistoryintheNationalInstitutesofHealth.Ifwheatgrew,itpredictedafemalebaby.Ifbarleygrew,itpredictedamalebaby.Thewomanwasnotpregnantifnothinggrew.Experimentingwiththisseedtheoryin1963proveditwasaccurate70percentofthetime. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:MartinLutherKingJr.gotaCinpublicspeaking TheworldremembersDr.KingasaleaderoftheCivilRightsMovement,andpeopleoftenquotehis“IHaveaDream”speech,whichhedeliveredin1963.Yetmorethanadecadebeforethatlegendaryspeech,whileattendingCrozerTheologicalSeminaryinPennsylvania,heearnedaCinpublicspeakingduringhisfirstandsecondterm.Checkouttheseotherironic“failures”ofhugelysuccessfulpeople. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Beescanmakecoloredhoney InFrance,there’sabiogasplantthatmanageswastefromaMarschocolatefactory,whereM&Msaremade.Beekeepersnearbynoticedthattheirbeesweremaking“unnaturalshadesofgreenandblue”honey.AspokespersonfromtheBritishBeekeepers’AssociationtheorizedthatthebeeseatingthesugaryM&Mwastecausedthecoloredhoney. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Bananasglowblueunderblacklights Totheeverydayeyeundernormalconditions,ripebananasappearyellowduetoorganicpigmentscalledcarotenoids.Whenbananasripen,chlorophyllbeginstobreakdown.Thispigmentistheelementthatmakesbananasglow,orfluoresce,underUVlightsandappearblue.Whilethisisdefinitelyamongthemostinterestingfactsaboutbananas,wehaveanotheronethatwillmakeyouwanttoeatabananaeveryday. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Wimbledontennisballsarekeptat68degreesFahrenheit Thetemperatureofatennisballaffectshowitbounces.Atwarmertemperatures,thegasmoleculesinsidetheballexpand,makingtheballbouncehigher.Lowertemperaturescausethemoleculestoshrinkandtheballtobouncelower.Tomakesurethebesttennisballsareused,Wimbledongoesthroughmorethan50,000tennisballseachyear. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Adultcatsarelactoseintolerant Likesomehumans,adultcatsdon’thaveenoughofthelactaseenzymetodigestlactosefrommilk,causingthemtovomit,havediarrhea,orgetgassy.Catsonlyhaveenoughofthatenzymewhenthey’rebornandduringtheearlyyearsoftheirlives. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:AlbertEinstein’seyeballsareinNewYorkCity TheyweregiventoHenryAbramsandpreservedinasafetydepositbox.AbramswasEinstein’seyedoctor.HereceivedtheeyeballsfromThomasHarvey,themanwhoperformedtheautopsyonEinsteinandillegallytookthescientist’sbrainforhimself. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:ThePopecan’tbeanorgandonor PopeBenedictXVIwasissuedanorgandonorcardin1970.Onceheascendedtothepapacyin2005,thecardwasinvalid,reportsthe Telegraph.AccordingtotheVatican,thePope’sentirebodymustbeburiedintactbecausehisbodybelongstotheuniversalCatholicChurch. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Aone-armedplayerscoredthewinninggoalinthefirstWorldCup HéctorCastro,whoaccidentallycutoffhisrightforearmwhileusinganelectricsawasateenager,playedontheUruguaysoccerteamduringthefirst-everWorldCupin1930.InthelastgamebetweenUruguayandArgentina,Castroscoredthewinninggoalinthelastminuteofthegame.Thefinalscorewas4–2,makingUruguaythefirstcountrytowintheWorldCuptitle. rd.com,Shutterstock(2) Fact:Theworld’soldesttoyisastick Thinkofhowversatileastickis.Youcanuseittoplayfetchwithyourdog,swingitasabat,oruseyourimaginationtoturnitintoalightsaber.That’swhy,in2008,theNationalToyHallofFameinductedthestickintoitscollectionofamazingtoysas,verypossibly, theoldesttoyever.Butwait—wearen’tdonewithinterestingfactsjustyet!Next,checkoutthese happyfactsthatwillmakeyourdayalittlebetter. AdditionalreportingbyMarissaLaliberteandJaynaTaylor-Smith.   OriginallyPublished:November23,2021 ElizabethYuko Elizabethisabioethicistandjournalistcoveringpolitics,publichealth,popculture,travel,andthelesser-knownhistoriesofholidaysandtraditionsforRD.com.She'salwaysmentallyplanninghernexttrip,whichshe'llbasearoundvisitstomedicalmuseumsorformerhospitals,fleamarkets,localcuisine,andstaysinunusualAirbnbsorhistorichotels.   WearenolongersupportingIE(InternetExplorer)aswestrivetoprovidesiteexperiencesforbrowsersthatsupportnewwebstandardsandsecuritypractices. Werecommendouruserstoupdatethebrowser. 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