1Twin Tower Steel
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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. During World War II, the Smithsonian devised new fish names that were easily pronounceable so that the Navy could name submarines after them.
5. 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.
Latest FactRepublic Video:
15 Most Controversial & Costly Blunders in History
6Unusual Cholera Cure
In the 1830s, during the resurgence of cholera in London, a prescribed remedy involved injecting turpentine and mutton stew rectally.
7. 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.
8. The bees belonging to the British Royal Family were informed of the Queen's demise, and their hives were adorned with black ribbons, upholding ancient traditions of notifying bees about changes in ownership.
9. Electric cars aren't a recent invention. During the early 1900s, electric vehicles constituted approximately a third of all road vehicles and enjoyed popularity due to their quiet and eco-friendly operation, particularly in urban areas.
10. James Barrie, having tragically lost his 13-year-old brother in childhood, comforted his grieving mother by emulating his deceased sibling's mannerisms and behavior. His mother consistently treated him as if he were his late brother, inspiring Barrie to write the novel "Peter Pan" about a child trapped in eternal youth.
11Mayan Manuscript Burning
In 1562, Spanish bishop Diego de Landa publicly burned 27 Mayan manuscripts before the Maya people of Maní, Yucatan. This destructive act aimed to eradicate memories of their deities and beliefs, facilitating their conversion to Catholicism. Today, only four Mayan manuscripts have survived.
12. The train wreck scene from the movie "The Fugitive," crafted using practical effects, remains in its post-accident position and has become a tourist attraction in the Smoky Mountains.
13. In the past, "acclimation societies" deliberately introduced non-native species to new environments. House sparrows and starlings were intentionally introduced to the US this way. North America now hosts a staggering 200 million starlings, earning them a place among the 100 worst invasive species.
14. A "sin tax" is levied on specific goods deemed detrimental to both society and individuals, such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs, candies, soft drinks, fast foods, coffee, sugar, and gambling. These taxes raise prices to curb demand.
15. In 1778, when the town of Exeter in Massachusetts renamed itself in honor of Benjamin Franklin, the town requested a bell donation for its church. Franklin responded by donating books, which became the foundation of America's first public library.
16UK's Influence in Argentina
During Argentina's economic boom from the 1860s to the 1930s, the UK held significant influence over the Argentine economy. The community of English, Scottish, and Welsh Argentines became the largest outside the British Empire, leading to the moniker "Sixth Dominion."
17. Sega accidentally created a Disney game by mistake. Following the success of Castle of Illusion, they released Fantasia. However, it turned out they had the movie adaptation license due to an error; Walt Disney's nephew Roy had made a promise not to adapt it.
18. The earliest oranges weren't actually orange. Originating from Southeast Asia, they were a tangerine-pomelo hybrid and were naturally green. Presently, in warmer regions like Vietnam and Thailand, oranges remain green even when mature.
19. The Vectrex, a video game console launched in November 1982 in North America, featured a dedicated 9-inch monochrome CRT monitor, a detachable wired controller, vector-based graphics, and games accompanied by translucent colorful overlays. It debuted at a price of $199.
20. NBA legend and Hall of Famer Jerry Lucas showcased a unique party trick: memorizing 50 pages of the Manhattan White Pages. Reportedly, Chess Champion Bobby Fischer put Lucas's skill to the test and was thoroughly amazed.
21Ancient Seed Survival
The upper limit for the survival time of properly stored seeds remains unknown. The oldest viable seed to grow into a full plant was approximately a 2,000-year-old Judean date palm seed.
22. Germany still legally recognizes "Aryan certificates" issued by the Nazi government from 1933 to 1945.
23. Hitler strongly disliked New Zealanders, viewing them as a "lesser form of human." In a speech on July 15, 1925, he suggested that New Zealanders lived in trees, moving around on all fours because they hadn't yet mastered walking upright.
24. Salamanders typically inhabit decaying logs. When these logs are used as firewood, salamanders attempt to escape, leading to the belief that they emerged from flames or possessed fire-resistant qualities.
25. The Swingjugend was a German youth group that rejected Hitler's Youth in favor of an American-influenced lifestyle. They scorned their counterparts as the "Homo Youth," finding them too prudish. The Swingjugend leaders were sent to concentration camps.
