Random Facts Sheet #361 – Evidence-Based Trivia: 30 Credible Facts That Will Blow Your Mind

A cat named Room 8 lived in a public school for 16 years. During his time there, he would disappear during the summer and return, like clockwork, on the first day of school. He became so well-known that poems and songs were composed about him.

2. An Icelandic man named Felix Gretarsson lost both his arms in a work accident. He received a double arm and shoulder transplant, which was the first of its kind in the world.

3. Boogers contain salivary mucins, which form a barrier on your teeth against bacteria that can cause cavities.

4. The feeling of being awake when you're actually sleeping is a disorder called paradoxical insomnia, and the reason for it is unclear.

5. Jack Parsons, a renowned rocket scientist and occultist, had connections with notable figures such as Aleister Crowley and L. Ron Hubbard. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Jet Propulsion Laboratory but tragically met his demise in an explosion.

American musician Trent Reznor was the final resident of 10050 Cielo Drive, Los Angeles, the site of the Manson family murders. However, he moved out after a chance encounter with Sharon Tate's sister, who questioned him about potentially exploiting her sister's death by living in the house.

7. Al Green earned more royalties from the Big Mouth Milly Bass toy than any other for his song "Take Me to the River."

8. Poundbury is a town in England that was constructed according to the principles of King Charles III. Construction began in 1993, and currently, 80% of the town has been built (as of 2023). Approximately 4,600 people currently reside there.

9. The OSS (the precursor to the CIA) commissioned psychologist Walter C. Langer to create a psychological report on Hitler between 1943 and 1944. Notably, the report made several accurate predictions about Hitler's future, including his attempted assassination, his refusal to surrender, and his eventual suicide.

10. In 2003, Germany sold 22 MiG-29 aircraft to Poland for a mere 22 euros.

There is a secret letter from Queen Elizabeth II that she left for the citizens of Sydney. She wrote it back in 1986, and it is locked in a vault that cannot be opened until 2085.

12. Many navies around the world have historically practiced a ritual to "celebrate" crossing the equator, serving as an initiation for those experiencing it for the first time.

13. One of the reasons we enjoy music is that the human brain has evolved to recognize and appreciate patterns, such as chord progressions or melodies, which in turn trigger the release of dopamine.

14. In the Caribbean, there is a popular beverage called peanut punch that is made with peanut butter, milk, and sugar. Some believe it possesses aphrodisiac properties. In Jamaica, it is common to add white rum or stout beer to give it an extra kick.

15. The VW Beetles of the 1960s did not feature a windshield washer fluid pump. Instead, they utilized the air pressure from the spare tire to spray the fluid onto the windshield.

Estrogen from birth control pills is sometimes excreted in human waste, which can find its way into municipal wastewater and ultimately the environment. This phenomenon has led to the feminization of certain male fish species.

17. August Kubizek was a friend of Hitler during their teenage years. After abruptly severing contact, Hitler reestablished their friendship in 1938, almost three decades later. Following the war, Kubizek wrote a book titled "The Young Hitler I Knew" in 1955.

18. Fordite, also known as Detroit agate or Motor City agate, refers to hardened automotive paint that can be cut and polished. It is commonly used in the creation of jewelry.

19. Between 1976 and 1989, a mysterious tapping noise could be heard worldwide on commercial and civilian communications platforms, including TV broadcasts, commercial aviation, and shortwave radio. The source of this noise was the Duga radar, known as "The Russian Woodpecker," a massive over-the-horizon radar system used by the Soviets for missile detection.

20. According to an apocryphal story, the Roman Emperor Honorius was initially shocked upon hearing the news of the Sack of Rome in 410 A.D. However, it he had mistakenly assumed the news pertained to his beloved pet chicken named Roma. When he learned it was actually the city of Rome, the emperor breathed a sigh of relief.

Following the feature of a Flit insecticide sprayer in a Dr. Seuss cartoon, he secured a 17-year endorsement deal with the company. This partnership allowed Seuss and his family to navigate through the Great Depression.

22. Nazi Field Marshal Ferdinand Schörner was notorious for his severe treatment of deserters. In 1945, he issued an order that all soldiers caught deserting would face immediate court martial and execution. Ironically, later that year, Schörner himself deserted his own post.

23. Third places, which refer to locations beyond the home or workplace where people can connect and relax, are dwindling. This decline poses a silent threat to our communities.

24. The Iberian Reconquista holds the record for being the longest conflict in history. Spanning nearly 800 years, it was a struggle between Christians and Muslims on the European peninsula that finally reached resolution.

25. Many blind individuals experience difficulties falling asleep due to their bodies' inability to differentiate between day and night. Consequently, their melatonin levels become disrupted.