Random Facts: 03/11/12
A 2009 study by a leading fossil expert suggests that modern humans hunted and ate Neanderthals, a sturdy species that mysteriously disappeared 30,000 years ago as modern humans began to migrate to Europe. Capuchin monkeys often greet each other by showing off their erections.
Real cellophane, as opposed to "cello" or polypropylene, is made from natural cellulose that comes from wood. Cellophane is a natural product and is 100% compostable with nearly zero environmental impact. Cellophane also has high permeability that allows moisture to pass thus preventing condensation and reducing the risk of mold.
Bacteria are remarkably adaptable to diverse environmental conditions: they are found in the bodies of all living organisms and on all parts of the earth; in land terrains and ocean depths, in arctic ice and glaciers, in hot springs, and even in the stratosphere. In one linear centimeter of your lower colon lives and works more bacteria than the number of people who have been born in the history of the world.
The second longest geographical name that is accepted in the world is "Taumatahakatangihangak oauauotamateaturipukaka pikimaugahoronukupokaiwehe nua kitanatahu" (85 letters) which is a hill in New Zealand - it is a Maori phrase which translates to "place where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, who slid, climbed and swallowed mountains, known as land-eater, played his flute to his loved one." Glaciers store between 70% and 80% of all the freshwater on the planet. 99% of those glaciers are in the Arctic and Antarctic.
One of the first cities in the country to industrialize, Providence, Rhode Island became noted for its jewelry and silverware industry. Today, the City of Providence is home to eight hospitals and seven institutions of higher learning, which has shifted the city's economy into service industries, though it still retains significant manufacturing activity. Montpeiler, Vermont is the only US state capital without a McDonald's.
Mardi Gras is actually historically a Catholic celebration. Mardi Gras is French for 'Fat Tuesday' which has traditionally been a day for eating rich fatty foods before the Lent season begins, a time where many Catholics give up certain foods. The Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold were actually selected by Grand Duke Alexis Alexandrovitch Romanoff of Russia during a visit to New Orleans in 1872. Purple stands for justice, gold stands for power and green stands for faith.
The clockmaker Jost Burgi invented the cross-beat escapement, and the remontoire, two mechanisms which improved the accuracy of mechanical clocks of the time (late 1500's) by orders of magnitude. This allowed for the first time clocks to be used as scientific instruments, with enough accuracy to time the passing of stars (and other heavenly bodies) in the crosshairs of telescopes to start accurately charting stellar positions. In 1504, the first portable (but very accurate) timepiece was invented in Nuremburg, Germany by Peter Henlein. The first reported person to actually wear a watch on the wrist was the French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal (1623-1662). With a piece of string he attached a pocket watch to his wrist.
Real cellophane, as opposed to "cello" or polypropylene, is made from natural cellulose that comes from wood. Cellophane is a natural product and is 100% compostable with nearly zero environmental impact. Cellophane also has high permeability that allows moisture to pass thus preventing condensation and reducing the risk of mold.
Bacteria are remarkably adaptable to diverse environmental conditions: they are found in the bodies of all living organisms and on all parts of the earth; in land terrains and ocean depths, in arctic ice and glaciers, in hot springs, and even in the stratosphere. In one linear centimeter of your lower colon lives and works more bacteria than the number of people who have been born in the history of the world.
The second longest geographical name that is accepted in the world is "Taumatahakatangihangak oauauotamateaturipukaka pikimaugahoronukupokaiwehe nua kitanatahu" (85 letters) which is a hill in New Zealand - it is a Maori phrase which translates to "place where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, who slid, climbed and swallowed mountains, known as land-eater, played his flute to his loved one." Glaciers store between 70% and 80% of all the freshwater on the planet. 99% of those glaciers are in the Arctic and Antarctic.
One of the first cities in the country to industrialize, Providence, Rhode Island became noted for its jewelry and silverware industry. Today, the City of Providence is home to eight hospitals and seven institutions of higher learning, which has shifted the city's economy into service industries, though it still retains significant manufacturing activity. Montpeiler, Vermont is the only US state capital without a McDonald's.
Mardi Gras is actually historically a Catholic celebration. Mardi Gras is French for 'Fat Tuesday' which has traditionally been a day for eating rich fatty foods before the Lent season begins, a time where many Catholics give up certain foods. The Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold were actually selected by Grand Duke Alexis Alexandrovitch Romanoff of Russia during a visit to New Orleans in 1872. Purple stands for justice, gold stands for power and green stands for faith.
The clockmaker Jost Burgi invented the cross-beat escapement, and the remontoire, two mechanisms which improved the accuracy of mechanical clocks of the time (late 1500's) by orders of magnitude. This allowed for the first time clocks to be used as scientific instruments, with enough accuracy to time the passing of stars (and other heavenly bodies) in the crosshairs of telescopes to start accurately charting stellar positions. In 1504, the first portable (but very accurate) timepiece was invented in Nuremburg, Germany by Peter Henlein. The first reported person to actually wear a watch on the wrist was the French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal (1623-1662). With a piece of string he attached a pocket watch to his wrist.
I want to know why it took 300 years between Pascal's discovery and trending of the modern wristwatch. And Flava Flav's seemingly obvious (in hindsight) dope donning of the very fashionable wall clock necklace or 'neck-pace' if you will. Hard to believe that nobody snatched that one up themselves sooner. The man is a pure fashion genius, simple as that. I mean who wears a viking helmet besides Thor that you can think of? In like 20 years that shit will be everywhere... FLAVA FLAV!!!
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