Random #366 – 50 Captivating Random Facts

MIT offers a Certificate in Piracy for students who choose archery, pistols, sailing, and fencing as their required PE classes.

2. Genetics determines the number of abs that are achievable. While six-packs are common, some bodybuilders like Schwarzenegger can only attain a four-pack due to varying fascia bands. A rare genetic occurrence is a ten-pack.

3. Abraham Lincoln, at age 9, was kicked by a horse, nearly severed a thumb with an axe, suffered frostbite on his feet, was clubbed during a robbery, battled malaria and smallpox, and endured the deaths of his mother, sister, and two sons. He also struggled with melancholy (clinical depression).

4. 16th-century philosopher Michel de Montaigne was raised in an experiment by his parents, who only spoke to him in Latin from birth, including his tutor, servants, and parents.

5. Mel Brooks was the uncredited producer of David Lynch's film "The Elephant Man." He omitted his name from the credits to avoid creating comedic expectations.

In 1938, the Nazis insisted on a German version of "The Hobbit" by Tolkien, contingent upon proving his Aryan heritage. Tolkien adamantly rejected any form of "race doctrine."

7. The majority of airlines retire flight numbers following fatal crashes, but American Airlines remains an exception, persisting with flight #1 despite encountering three major crashes.

8. Modern torpedoes don't work by striking a ship's hull; instead, they detonate directly beneath it, capitalizing on the "bubble jet effect."

9. Mel B of the Spice Girls underwent surgical removal of a tattoo fragment bearing her ex-husband's name, preserving it in a jar that she has kept on top of her wardrobe.

10. Ne Win, the dictator of Burma during its Socialist era, harbored profound superstitions. In 1987, he banned banknotes not divisible by his lucky number, nine, triggering overnight economic upheaval.

In 1956, Paris and Rome signed an agreement to become twin cities, expressing that "Only Paris is worthy of Rome; only Rome is worthy of Paris."

12. Tim Burton was originally chosen to direct Spider-Man in 2002, but he eventually declined, stating, "I'm more of a DC guy." He referred to his experiences working on Batman movies, which led to Sam Raimi taking over the directing role.

13. Puppy Water was a moisturizing cosmetic used in the 1600s. The recipe included Sallet Oil (4 pounds), 2 newborn puppies, and Earthworms soaked in white Wine (1 pound). The puppies were boiled until they fell apart, then the worms were added, strained, and mixed with 3 ounces of Cypress Turpentine.

14. Because Durex sponsored one of the teams, Surtees, the BBC decided not to broadcast the majority of F1 races in 1976. As a result, many Britons missed witnessing James Hunt become the World Champion that season due to the association with the sponsor.

15. Robert Brecheen, a convicted murderer, attempted suicide through overdose shortly before his execution in 1995. He was found, revived, treated at a local hospital until he recovered, and then returned to prison for execution.

The famous "Take my wife, please!" joke originated when comedian Henny Youngman asked a stagehand to "take my wife, please" during a radio show, intending for him to guide her to a seat. The stagehand's laughter turned it into a comedic moment, which Henny later incorporated into his standup routine.

17. Emperor Hirohito of Japan during World War II officially decided not to visit Yasukuni Shrine upon learning that war criminals were enshrined there. This decision has been upheld by every subsequent Emperor and member of the royal family.

18. Official Pokémon cards featuring Katy Perry, Post Malone, and J Balvin were created for the 25th anniversary album, but they were never produced in large quantities. There are no plans to sell these extremely rare cards because Katy Perry, Post Malone, and J Balvin are the only ones who own them.

19. Debris from the World Trade Center post-9/11 was sold to the scrap metal industry, which then sold the structural steel to second-hand metal markets in China and India. Various buildings across Indian cities, including a college and a trade center, were constructed using Twin Tower steel.

20. People engage in different thinking styles. Some think verbally, forming associations with spoken words (e.g., talking to themselves internally), while others think visually in images. Additionally, there are individuals who utilize both verbal and visual thinking styles.

Irving Berlin holds the unique distinction of being the sole Academy Award winner who presented the award to himself. He secured the award for writing 'White Christmas' and openly acknowledged the awkwardness of opening the envelope. This prompted a change in the rules to prevent such occurrences in the future.

22. During World War II, the Smithsonian devised new fish names that were easily pronounceable so that the Navy could name submarines after them.

23. In the UK, a dense beef paste known as Bovril is spread on toast or reconstituted into "beef tea." Its name derives from the Latin words "bovinus," which means "ox," and "vril," which refers to a substance from a late 1800s book that a mysterious master race used to acquire special powers.

24. In the 1830s, during the resurgence of cholera in London, a prescribed remedy involved injecting turpentine and mutton stew rectally.

25. In Raleigh, North Carolina, a man created an extensive street art sculpture termed the 'barrel monster' using stolen construction barrels. Despite the construction company appreciating the art and the publicity it generated and refraining from pressing charges, the man faced arrest.