Random Facts Sheet #363 – Credible Curiosities: 30 Facts Supported by Solid Evidence

Despite encountering a cracked outer window pane during their groundbreaking dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the brave crew of the bathysphere chose to continue their descent and successfully reached the depths.

2. Paris, with an approximate population of 2.14 million residents, boasts more than 44,000 restaurants. That means there are 48 people for every restaurant in the city.

3. In 2010, the Colombian army created a pop song titled "Better Days" with a hidden message for Colombian soldiers held captive by FARC guerrillas. Embedded in the chorus was Morse code, which conveyed messages such as "19 people rescued," "You're next," and "Don't lose hope." The song was subsequently played on over 130 radio stations.

4. During the search for the missing submarine ARA San Juan in 2017, search crews initially detected a banging noise at the search site, reminiscent of tools striking metal. However, further analysis revealed that the sound did not originate from the submarine but likely had a biological source.

5. In the 1989 movie "The Abyss," the scene featuring a rat seemingly breathing liquid was achieved through practical means rather than visual effects. The rat was immersed in an oxygenated perfluorocarbon emulsion, commonly known as "breathing liquid," which was captured on film.

Shockingly, a mere $2 was allocated for safety training for the crew of the South Korean passenger ferry MV Sewol, which tragically sank in 2014, claiming the lives of 306 people. This negligible sum was utilized to obtain a paper certificate.

7. Women experiencing a heart attack may exhibit symptoms such as nausea, sweating, vomiting, and pain in various areas such as the neck, jaw, throat, abdomen, or back. This is due to the distinct manner in which cholesterol plaque accumulates in women's bodies compared to men's.

8. Grizzly 399 is a female bear residing in the Grand Tetons, who has defied conventional behavior by living into her old age and giving birth to triplets instead of twins. She has chosen to inhabit areas close to humans for their protection, transforming her into both a social media sensation and a tourist attraction.

9. In 1993, the International Shooting Union prohibited women from competing alongside men in shooting events. This decision followed Zhang Shan's gold medal victory in Skeet Shooting at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

10. Thames Mud Butter was a machine lubricant that was produced in the late 19th century using fats skimmed from the sewage effluent of London.

Fatso the Fat-Arsed Wombat, an unofficial mascot of the 2000 Summer Olympics, gained tremendous popularity to the extent that the Australian Olympic Committee attempted to restrict athletes from appearing with Fatso to prevent overshadowing their official mascots.

12. The HMS Thesis submarine disaster of 1939 involved an escape chamber that saved the lives of four individuals. Tragically, panic overcame the fifth person during its use, resulting in the demise of all 98 others on board.

13. Upon ejection using a Martin-Baker ejection seat, fighter pilots are honored with membership to the "Ejection Tie Club." In addition to a tie, patch, certificate, and tie pin, they are also provided with a subsidized limited-edition Bremont watch as part of this prestigious group.

14. In addition to his acting career, Dermot Mulroney is a talented cellist and has contributed his musical skills to several film soundtracks composed by Michael Giacchino, including Rogue One, Jurassic World, and Spider-Man: Homecoming.

15. The horse guard wasp is a species found in the eastern United States that serves as a natural biological control for horse flies. These wasps hang around horses and eliminate horse flies. Despite their buzzing noises, horses are not disturbed by them.

The Titanic became the unexpected site of the discovery of tiny iron-eating microbes. These unique microbes form rusticle structures, resembling icicles, composed of 35% iron compounds and a community of symbiotic microbes and fungi. "Halomonas titanicae," the specific microbe involved, is projected to contribute to the gradual dissolution of the Titanic by 2045.

17. Dolphins possess the fascinating ability to call each other by using distinctive whistles, essentially their own "names." They respond solely to their individual whistles, offering a distinct whistle in return. Scientists believe that dolphins exhibit behavior similar to humans, responding when they hear their own name.

18. Until the early 1920s, astronomers generally believed that the Milky Way contained all the stars in the Universe. However, the 1920 Great Debate between astronomers Harlow Shapley and Heber Doust Curtis, followed by Edwin Hubble's observations, revealed that the Milky Way is merely one of many galaxies.

19. In 1967, the DSV "Alvin," a deep-sea submersible, experienced an extraordinary encounter at a depth of 610 meters when it was attacked by a swordfish. The swordfish became entangled in the Alvin's hull, forcing the submersible to make an emergency ascent. The fish was subsequently recovered at the surface and served as a meal.

20. The Locomotives Act of 1865 in the United Kingdom imposed strict regulations on motor vehicles, including a speed limit of 2 to 4 mph, a minimum crew of three persons, and a requirement for a man to walk at least 55 meters ahead of the vehicle, waving a red flag and sounding a horn.

A bolt of lightning is astonishingly four times hotter than the surface of the sun.

22. Some Jeep vehicles feature hidden "Easter Eggs" consisting of designs of animals and other symbols scattered around the vehicle. These surprises can be found on the windshield, carved into the dashboard, beneath the seats, and near the gas cap, among other unexpected places.

23. Jungholz is an Austrian village that can only be accessed through Germany. Due to access complications, the village has followed German customs since 1868 and even used the Deutsche Mark as its currency until 2002. This unique situation arose from German land being sold to an Austrian taxman in 1342.

24. The leading hypothesis for the existence of stripes on zebras is their role in deterring horse flies from biting them.

25. In the past, people would place bets on the outcomes of battles. In 1691, an astounding amount of over £200,000 (equivalent to £40,000,000 in today's money) was wagered solely on the outcome of the Siege of Limerick.