Random Revelations: Article #380- 30 Bits of Trivia to Amaze and Amuse

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1Farm-Raised Salmon Coloration

Farm-Raised Salmon Coloration

Farm-raised salmon are not naturally "salmon" colored. They are gray and are given astaxanthin to make their flesh closer in color to wild salmon, making it more appealing to consumers.


2. Galileo Galilei dismissed the notion that the moon influences the tides as "childish" and "occult." Instead, he argued that tides result from the sloshing motion of the earth.


3. At one point in the 1980s, China had an estimated 400,000 Esperanto speakers, and the language was taught at several universities. Now, only one Chinese college Esperanto program remains.


4. While filming "Firstborn" (1984), 12-year-old Corey Haim complimented the acting performance of 41-year-old Peter Weller. In response, Weller threw Haim up against a wall and demanded that Haim never speak to him after a take. Haim later admitted that the experience left him terrified.


5. The most expensive single scene shot in the entire run of "The Office" was Jim and Pam's proposal scene, costing $250,000 and lasting 52 seconds. The gas station set was built in about nine days in a parking lot, featuring a four-lane racetrack around it with 35 precision drivers.


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6JAXA's Origami Crane Test

JAXA's Origami Crane Test

JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) tests astronaut candidates by making them fold a thousand origami cranes. This helps determine how the person deals with boring, repetitive tasks and time constraints.


7. Gasoline is produced differently in summer and winter, which is why gas prices drop so steeply during the winter months.


8. Woodlice don't pee. They eliminate their nitrogenous waste by releasing ammonia gas through tiny holes in their shells, resulting in a pungent smell.


9. In 2007, a 12-inch-tall Jack Russell Terrier named George sacrificed his life to save five children from a dog attack in New Zealand. George was celebrated, and a statue was made in his honor.


10. Not everyone experiences hearing their insides. The condition of loudly hearing one's breathing, voice, and bodily functions is called eustachian tube dysfunction.


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11H. floresiensis Proto-Human Species

H. floresiensis Proto-Human Species

floresiensis, an extinct species of proto-humans, inhabited parts of Indonesia, with adults reaching heights of around 1m and weights of approximately 25kg.


12. The Oceanographic Museum at Monaco flushed decorative algae into the Mediterranean Sea, creating an invasive patch of algae that has now spread over 190km of coast.


13. The Treaty of Versailles included a clause demanding that Germany return the skull of Chief Mkwawa, an East African leader who fiercely resisted German colonialism.


14. On the Soviet supersonic plane Tu-144, the noise was so intense that people sitting next to each other could only hear each other by yelling. Even individuals sitting two seats apart couldn't hear each other, even when screaming.


15. President Theodore Roosevelt is the only person to have been awarded both the Nobel Peace Prize and the Medal of Honor.


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16Dogs and Laughter Connection

Dogs and Laughter Connection

Dogs intentionally try to make humans laugh. They understand that laughter signifies play, and play is perceived as positive.


17. Hasbro released a version of Monopoly specifically for millennials, which, among other things, claims, "Forget Real Estate, You Couldn't Afford It Anyway." The game features Mr. Monopoly wearing polarized glasses and holding coffee with a cardboard sleeve.


18. There was no hot water supply on board the Apollo Lunar module or Command module, so all meals were served cold. Astronauts Scott and Irwin requested additional food as walking on the moon required significant reserves of energy and stamina.


19. The original Godzilla suit was made out of concrete due to shortages of rubber in post-war Japan. The suit weighed 100kg and became too hot to touch.


20. Williams Lake, a small city in Canada, has been celebrating Wrestling Day on January 2nd every year since 1959. On this day, all businesses are closed so that people can wrestle with their hangovers for an extra day after New Year's Eve.


21Miki Matsubara's Regret-Free Decision

Miki Matsubara's Regret-Free Decision

Miki Matsubara, a Japanese composer, lyricist, and singer, destroyed all her sheet music and albums when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2000. She told those around her, "Please live your life without regrets."


22. In 1998, Frito-Lay released their WOW! line of potato chips, marketed as "fat-free" by being cooked in Olestra, an indigestible synthetic fat. It caused severe gastrointestinal problems, including the now-infamous "anal leakage."


23. Yang Kyoungjong, a Korean soldier during World War II, was conscripted to fight for Japan. He was then captured and forced to fight by the Russians, and he was once again captured and compelled to fight for the Germans at Normandy. Finally, the Allies captured him and sent him to the US.


24. During a test flight in 1961, a DC-8 became the first passenger jet to break the sound barrier and go supersonic, with Chuck Yeager as the chase plane pilot.


25. There were numerous animals on the Titanic when it set sail, including 12 dogs. Three of them survived the disastrous maiden voyage: two Pomeranians and a Pekingese.

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