Random Fact Sheet #348 – Quirks of Knowledge: 35 Offbeat Facts That Will Make You Think

A "Chernobyl Necklace" is a horizontal scar at the base of the throat that’s the result of a surgery to remove thyroid cancer caused by fallout from a nuclear accident. It takes its name from the large number of people who suffered from thyroid cancer after the Chernobyl disaster.

27. Study done by the Royal Horticultural Society found that ivy is the most effective plant cover for cooling buildings and reducing humidity. They found that a building covered in ivy stayed 7.2°C cooler than non-covered buildings. The left structure also kept the walls dry, lowering humidity and protecting it from corrosion.

28. The first ally soldier to step onto the beaches of Normandy during the D-Day invasion was Leonard Treherne "Max" Schroeder Jr. He made it out alive and was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. He died in 2009 at the age of 90.

29. The "official" death of President Zachary Taylor was overconsumption of cherries and milk, but the cause of death has been the subject of conspiracy theories.

30. There is an egg-shaped dwarf planet called Haumea in our Solar System and it even has two moons. Its shape is due to its incredibly fast rotation.

McTrain was McDonald’s attempt in the 1990s to turn dining service cars on German trains into mini restaurants. The cars had deep fryers, coffee machines, soda fountains, water heaters, and a 269-square-foot kitchen.

32. Rip was a stray dog who was adopted by an Air Raid Patrol during World War 2. Although not trained for rescue work, he sniffed out over 100 victims trapped beneath buildings. He was awarded the Dickin medal for his work and he has been held partially responsible for prompting the training of search and rescue dogs.

33. Cat's teeth have a "blood groove" that prevents suction when they bite. This allows them to pull out and bite again more quickly.

34. Before Canada was officially named Canada, other names had been suggested but rejected. Some examples are Albertsland, Borealia, Britannia, Tuponia, and others. The current name likely comes from the aboriginal word "Kanata" which means village or settlement.

35. The Danelectro electric guitar company bought a surplus of women's lipstick tubes, put a bar magnet wrapped directly in copper wire in them, and made one of the most basic and cheapest pick-ups to date.