Random #372 – 50 Astonishing Random Facts That Rewrite the Rules

During the Civil War, the U.S. government began printing fractional-dollar bills instead of coins due to a metal shortage. In response to the bills' designer putting his own face on them rather than a U.S. president's, Congress passed a law forbidding the depiction of living individuals on currency.

27. The world's smallest piloted biplane to achieve flight is the Starr Bumble Bee II, boasting a wingspan of 5 feet 6 inches, a total length of 8 feet 10 inches, and a takeoff weight of 260 kg. Robert Starr set this record in 1988 when he reached 400 feet before an engine failure caused a crash.

28. The Mona Lisa has its own dedicated mailbox, where the painting receives fan mail and even flowers sent in its honor.

29. Air-chilled chicken differs from traditional "water-chilled" chicken, resulting in less water absorption, enhanced flavor, and a reduced risk of cross-contamination. While air-chilled chicken has been available in Europe for many years, it has gained popularity in the USA only relatively recently.

30. Olfactory Aversion Conditioning was found to temporarily reduce overeating in a test group during a study, but the weight-loss effects did not persist once the study concluded and the aversive stimuli were removed.

The football huddle was first devised by a deaf college team at Gallaudet University in 1894 to prevent the opposing team, who were also deaf, from deciphering their plays communicated in American Sign Language.

32. Predators that stalk, whether mammals or birds, typically have yellow or light-colored irises. In contrast, predators that chase their prey, as well as the prey species themselves, tend to have dark-colored irises.

33. To circumvent import taxes on goods, a practice known as tariff engineering, creative loopholes are employed. For instance, Ford imported vans to the US with backseats, windows, and seatbelts, later removing them to sell the vans as cargo vehicles. However, such tactics can backfire and lead to fines.

34. In Finland, taxi drivers are legally required to pay royalty fees for songs played on their taxi radios while working and transporting paying passengers. This requirement is based on the notion that cab drivers use music for commercial purposes while generating income, necessitating an annual payment to the Finnish Composers' Copyright Society.

35. The Comic Sans font drew direct inspiration from the comics "Watchmen" and "The Dark Knight Returns." Originally created for a user-friendly version of Microsoft codenamed Bob, the font's creator used these comics on hand as a source of inspiration, aiming to give the font a light-hearted appearance.

The warning label "Do not put any person in this washer" on certain commercial washing machines has been prompted by legal action against companies following incidents where small children climbed inside washers and inadvertently activated them.

37. Alexei Nikolaevich, the son of the last Russian tsar and heir to the throne, suffered from a severe case of hemophilia inherited from his mother. She, in turn, had acquired it through her maternal grandmother, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.

38. Sony's high-end microphones and headphones for professional use are manufactured at a specialized subsidiary where 67% of the employees have disabilities.

39. In the UK, all animal materials used in pet foods must originate from animals declared fit for human consumption.

40. During the 16th century, a peculiar fashion trend known as the "ruff" gained popularity in Europe. Ruffs were elaborate neck collars crafted from fine linen or lace, often extending to comically wide proportions. They served as symbols of status and wealth.

A woman named Sara Jane Moore made an attempt on the life of U.S. President Gerald Ford. She spent 32 years in prison. When questioned about her crime during an interview, Moore expressed, "I am very glad I did not succeed. I now realize that I was wrong to try."

42. Vincent Price, known not only as an actor and art historian but also as a gourmet chef, authored not one, not two, but four cookbooks during his lifetime. Additionally, Price recorded several audio cooking tutorials titled "International Cooking Course."

43. Josiah Harlan, an American traveler, raised an army in Afghanistan in the 1830s with the ambition of becoming king. He led his followers on various campaigns against slaveholding princes, and upon returning to the United States, he sought appointment as a general in the Civil War against the Confederacy.

44. In 1919, the Austrian state of Vorarlberg conducted a referendum in which 80% of the population voted to join Switzerland. Switzerland, however, declined the request, as they were concerned about adding another German-speaking and Catholic canton, which might disrupt their delicate balance.

45. The Macintosh computer was named after the McIntosh apple. The deliberate misspelling was employed to avoid any conflicts with a manufacturer known as McIntosh Laboratory.

The ancient Egyptians did not assign individual names to their cats as they did with dogs. Instead, all cats were referred to by the Ancient Egyptian equivalent of "meow" or "miu," reflecting the onomatopoeic nature of the sound that cats make.

47. Cotton candy was invented by a dentist, and it gained popularity at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis.

48. Beatles drummer Richard Starkey acquired the nickname Ringo Starr due to his penchant for wearing numerous rings and his reference to his drum solos as "Starr Time."

49. Dolphins utilize coral as a form of medicine. Researchers have observed dolphins in the Red Sea regularly rubbing against specific corals and sponges, possibly to soothe their skin by prompting these invertebrates to release mucus containing antimicrobial compounds.

50. The 1899 Horsey Horseless was an early automobile design that featured a wooden horse head and neck attached to the front of the car in an effort to avoid startling real horses.