Post by Rhonda on Mar 19, 2008 3:48:50 GMT -5
How tall was Attila the Hun?
Attila the Hun was a dwarf. Pepin the Short, Aesop, Gregory of Tours, Charles III of Naples, and Pasha Hussain were all less than three and a half feet tall.
How many muscles are in an elephant's trunk?
There are 40,000 muscles and tendons in an elephant's trunk. This makes it very strong and flexible, allowing an elephant to pluck a delicate flower or lift a huge log. The trunk is used for touching, grasping, sucking, spraying, smelling, and striking.
How tall is the Eiffel Tower?
The height of the 984-foot-tall Eiffel Tower varies, depending on the temperature, by as much as 6 inches.
When did Gomer shill for Jell-O?
During the 1960s, cast members from The Andy Griffith Show, Green Acres, and Gomer Pyle served as spokespeople for Jell-O instant pudding in nationally-televised commercials.
Is pepper good for your headache?
A recent study found that 75 percent of headache patients felt relief when they rubbed capsaicin (the component that makes Chile peppers hot) on their nose.
Interesting Turtle Facts
Turtles have been on the earth for more than 200 million years. They evolved before mammals, birds, crocodiles, snakes, and even lizards.
The earliest turtles had teeth and could not retract their heads, but other than this, modern turtles are very similar to their original ancestors.
Several species of turtles can live to be over a hundred years of age including the American Box Turtle.
One documented case of longevity involves an adult Indian Ocean Giant Tortoise that when captured as an adult was estimated to be fifty years old. It then lived another 152 years in captivity.
Turtles live on every continent except Antarctica.
Turtles will live in almost any climate warm enough to allow them to complete their breeding cycle.
While most turtles do not tolerate the cold well, the Blanding's turtle has been observed swimming under the ice in the Great Lakes region.
Turtles range in size from the 4-inch Bog Turtle to the 1500-pound Leathery Turtle.
North America contains a large variety of turtle species, but Europe contains only two species of turtle and three species of tortoise.
The top domed part of a turtle's shell is called the carapace and the bottom underlying part is called the plastron.
The shell of a turtle is made up of 60 different bones all connected together.
The bony portion of the shell is covered with plates (scutes) that are derivatives of skin and offer additional strength and protection.
Most land tortoises have high domed carapaces that offer protection from the snapping jaws of terrestrial predators. Aquatic turtles tend to have flatter more aerodynamically shaped shells. An exception to the dome-shaped tortoise shell is the Pancake Tortoise of East Africa that will wedge itself between narrow rocks when threatened and then inflates itself with air making extraction nearly impossible.
Most turtle species have five toes on each limb with a few exceptions including the American Box Turtle of the Carolina species that only has four toes, and in some cases, only three.
Turtles have good eyesight and an excellent sense of smell. Hearing and sense of touch are both good and even the shell contains nerve endings.
Some aquatic turtles can absorb oxygen through the skin on their neck and cloacal areas allowing them to remain submerged underwater for extended periods of time and enabling them to hibernate underwater.
Turtles are one of the oldest and most primitive groups of reptiles and have outlived many other species. One can only wonder if their unique shell is responsible for their success.
What did the first coin-op machine dispense?
The first coin-operated machine ever designed was a holy-water dispenser that required a five-drachma piece to operate. It was the brainchild of the Greek scientist Hero in the first century A.D.
When did snow fall on the Sahara?
In living memory, it was not until February 18, 1979 that snow fell on the Sahara. A half-hour storm in southern Algeria stopped traffic. But within a few hours, all the snow had melted.
How powerful is a hurricane?
If harnessed, the energy liberated by an average hurricane could supply the electrical energy used in the U.S. during half a year.
How big is a googol?
A "googol" is a 1 followed by 100 zeros. The name is said to have come from the nine-year-old nephew of the American mathematician, Edward Kasner. A googolplex is the number 1 followed by a googol of zeros.
Which hand should you eat with in Thailand?
In Thailand, the left hand is considered unclean, so you should not eat with it. Also, pointing with one finger is considered rude and is only done when pointing to objects or animals, never humans.
Why should you stay away from licorice?
Licorice can raise your blood pressure.
What is an LED?
The letters in the acronym LED stand for light-emitting diode.
Did Nero love roses?
The Romans were enamored with the smell of roses. According to historians, Nero had pipes installed under banquet plates to allow his guests to be spritzed with rose scent between dinner courses.
How would you dance at the Whisky?
The Whisky, located at 8901 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, was the West Coast's first discotheque.
When was St. Patrick's Day first celebrated in the U.S?
St. Patrick's Day was celebrated for the first time in America on March 17, 1737, when the Charitable Irish Society, a Protestant group founded that same year, organized a non-religious celebration honoring St. Paddy. It originated in Ireland as a religious holiday honoring the arrival of St. Patrick in 432 A.D. And his death, on March 17, 464 A.D.
What does the shamrock symbolize?
The shamrock, at one time called the "seamroy," symbolizes the cross and blessed trinity. Before the Christian era, it was a sacred plant of the Druids of Ireland because its leaves formed a triad. The well known legend of the shamrock connects it to St. Patrick and his teachings. While preaching outdoors, he is said to have illustrated the existence of the holy trinity or "Three in One" by plucking a shamrock from the grass growing at his feet and showing it to his congregation. The shamrock's legend is also connected with that of the banishment of the serpent tribe from Ireland by a tradition that snakes are never seen on a trefoil and that it is a remedy against the stings of snakes and scorpions.
What classic song did Pike's Peak inspire?
Katharine Lee Bates wrote the words to the classic American anthem "America The Beautiful" after her trip to the summit of Pikes Peak in 1893.
How long would it take you to count the stars?
If you attempted to count the stars in a galaxy at a rate of one every second, it would take around 3,000 years to count them all.
What was Johnny Bench's achievement?
Johnny Bench, Cincinnati’s Number 5, is the benchmark against which other catchers are still often compared. As Rookie of the Year in 1968, Bench controlled the game on both sides of the plate with his hitting (.267 with 389 home runs and a then-record 327 as a catcher), calling pitches, blocking home plate, throwing out opposing base runners. Bench won two MVP awards and ten Gold Gloves during his 17 seasons as one of the leaders of the team.
What was the Babe's major passion?
Babe Ruth enjoyed hunting, fishing, boxing, and bowling. But perhaps his biggest athletic passion was golf. He loved the game and played whenever he could. His daughter Julia said in an interview that were it not for golf, he would not have known what to do with himself after he retired from baseball.
Beer was the first trademarked product - British beer Bass
Pale Ale received its trademark in 1876.
Playing-cards were known in Persia and India as far back
as the 12th century. A pack then consisted of 48 instead
of 52 cards.
Excavations from Egyptian tombs dating to 5,000 BC show
that the ancient Egyptian kids played with toy hedgehogs.
Accounts from Holland and Spain suggest that during the
1500s and 1600s urine was commonly used as a tooth-cleaning
agent.
In 1969 the US launched a male chimpanzee called Ham into
space.
In 1963 the French launched a cat called Feliette into
space.
The first written account of the Loch Ness Monster, or
Nessie, was made in 565AD.
How much was the British tax on tea?
The tax imposed on tea that triggered the infamous Boston Tea Party in 1773 was 3 cents per pound.
What did Alex discover in Wyoming?
During the 1940s, Alex Jordan discovered a 60-foot chimney of rock in the pristine Wyoming Valley. He built a weekend retreat house on the sandstone formation called Deer Shelter Rock. Word about his natural discovery spread, and people came in droves to see his architectural wonder. Jordan was surprised and overwhelmed by the constant public attention, and started asking for 50 cent donations. In time, his 14-room house on the rock evolved into a complex of sixteen buildings, countless exhibits, and breathtaking outdoor garden displays with waterfalls. About 100,000 flowers are landscaped at The House on the Rock, as it was named. The popular tourist site now houses fascinating exhibits, including the world’s largest carousel and more than 6,000 Santa Clauses during the Christmas season.
Where did sandlot baseball originate?
The term "sandlot baseball" originated in San Francisco. The term dates to the 1860s when a cemetery that stands where the Civic Center is now located was converted into a park. A sand hill was leveled to create a 17-acre park, which became known as the sandlots.
How many types of mushrooms are there?
There are more than 2,500 mushroom varieties grown in the world today.
How much did the first ballpoint pen cost?
The first ballpoint pens sold in 1945 were priced at $12.00 apiece.
How long has Toys for Tots been collecting for kids?
In 1947, Toys for Tots started making the holidays a little happier for children by organizing its first Christmas toy drive for needy youngsters.
What laws did Elizabeth pass regarding clothing?
During the Renaissance, laws were passed that prescribed which fashions could not be worn by the lower classes, so as to keep social distinctions intact. Queen Elizabeth of England would not allow the ruff to be worn by commoners; in Florence, women of the lower class were not allowed to use buttons of certain shapes and materials.
When should you spray for insects?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the best time to spray household insects is 4:00 p.m. Insects are most vulnerable at this time.
Why do you serve a lemon with fish?
The custom of serving a slice of lemon with fish dates back to the Middle Ages. It was believed that if a person accidentally swallowed a fish bone, the lemon juice would dissolve it.
How much does a new baby cost the parents?
Aside from medical costs, it's been determined that new parents in the U.S. typically spend $7,000 in a baby's first year on everything from diapers to formula to day care.
Attila the Hun was a dwarf. Pepin the Short, Aesop, Gregory of Tours, Charles III of Naples, and Pasha Hussain were all less than three and a half feet tall.
How many muscles are in an elephant's trunk?
There are 40,000 muscles and tendons in an elephant's trunk. This makes it very strong and flexible, allowing an elephant to pluck a delicate flower or lift a huge log. The trunk is used for touching, grasping, sucking, spraying, smelling, and striking.
How tall is the Eiffel Tower?
The height of the 984-foot-tall Eiffel Tower varies, depending on the temperature, by as much as 6 inches.
When did Gomer shill for Jell-O?
During the 1960s, cast members from The Andy Griffith Show, Green Acres, and Gomer Pyle served as spokespeople for Jell-O instant pudding in nationally-televised commercials.
Is pepper good for your headache?
A recent study found that 75 percent of headache patients felt relief when they rubbed capsaicin (the component that makes Chile peppers hot) on their nose.
Interesting Turtle Facts
Turtles have been on the earth for more than 200 million years. They evolved before mammals, birds, crocodiles, snakes, and even lizards.
The earliest turtles had teeth and could not retract their heads, but other than this, modern turtles are very similar to their original ancestors.
Several species of turtles can live to be over a hundred years of age including the American Box Turtle.
One documented case of longevity involves an adult Indian Ocean Giant Tortoise that when captured as an adult was estimated to be fifty years old. It then lived another 152 years in captivity.
Turtles live on every continent except Antarctica.
Turtles will live in almost any climate warm enough to allow them to complete their breeding cycle.
While most turtles do not tolerate the cold well, the Blanding's turtle has been observed swimming under the ice in the Great Lakes region.
Turtles range in size from the 4-inch Bog Turtle to the 1500-pound Leathery Turtle.
North America contains a large variety of turtle species, but Europe contains only two species of turtle and three species of tortoise.
The top domed part of a turtle's shell is called the carapace and the bottom underlying part is called the plastron.
The shell of a turtle is made up of 60 different bones all connected together.
The bony portion of the shell is covered with plates (scutes) that are derivatives of skin and offer additional strength and protection.
Most land tortoises have high domed carapaces that offer protection from the snapping jaws of terrestrial predators. Aquatic turtles tend to have flatter more aerodynamically shaped shells. An exception to the dome-shaped tortoise shell is the Pancake Tortoise of East Africa that will wedge itself between narrow rocks when threatened and then inflates itself with air making extraction nearly impossible.
Most turtle species have five toes on each limb with a few exceptions including the American Box Turtle of the Carolina species that only has four toes, and in some cases, only three.
Turtles have good eyesight and an excellent sense of smell. Hearing and sense of touch are both good and even the shell contains nerve endings.
Some aquatic turtles can absorb oxygen through the skin on their neck and cloacal areas allowing them to remain submerged underwater for extended periods of time and enabling them to hibernate underwater.
Turtles are one of the oldest and most primitive groups of reptiles and have outlived many other species. One can only wonder if their unique shell is responsible for their success.
What did the first coin-op machine dispense?
The first coin-operated machine ever designed was a holy-water dispenser that required a five-drachma piece to operate. It was the brainchild of the Greek scientist Hero in the first century A.D.
When did snow fall on the Sahara?
In living memory, it was not until February 18, 1979 that snow fell on the Sahara. A half-hour storm in southern Algeria stopped traffic. But within a few hours, all the snow had melted.
How powerful is a hurricane?
If harnessed, the energy liberated by an average hurricane could supply the electrical energy used in the U.S. during half a year.
How big is a googol?
A "googol" is a 1 followed by 100 zeros. The name is said to have come from the nine-year-old nephew of the American mathematician, Edward Kasner. A googolplex is the number 1 followed by a googol of zeros.
Which hand should you eat with in Thailand?
In Thailand, the left hand is considered unclean, so you should not eat with it. Also, pointing with one finger is considered rude and is only done when pointing to objects or animals, never humans.
Why should you stay away from licorice?
Licorice can raise your blood pressure.
What is an LED?
The letters in the acronym LED stand for light-emitting diode.
Did Nero love roses?
The Romans were enamored with the smell of roses. According to historians, Nero had pipes installed under banquet plates to allow his guests to be spritzed with rose scent between dinner courses.
How would you dance at the Whisky?
The Whisky, located at 8901 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, was the West Coast's first discotheque.
When was St. Patrick's Day first celebrated in the U.S?
St. Patrick's Day was celebrated for the first time in America on March 17, 1737, when the Charitable Irish Society, a Protestant group founded that same year, organized a non-religious celebration honoring St. Paddy. It originated in Ireland as a religious holiday honoring the arrival of St. Patrick in 432 A.D. And his death, on March 17, 464 A.D.
What does the shamrock symbolize?
The shamrock, at one time called the "seamroy," symbolizes the cross and blessed trinity. Before the Christian era, it was a sacred plant of the Druids of Ireland because its leaves formed a triad. The well known legend of the shamrock connects it to St. Patrick and his teachings. While preaching outdoors, he is said to have illustrated the existence of the holy trinity or "Three in One" by plucking a shamrock from the grass growing at his feet and showing it to his congregation. The shamrock's legend is also connected with that of the banishment of the serpent tribe from Ireland by a tradition that snakes are never seen on a trefoil and that it is a remedy against the stings of snakes and scorpions.
What classic song did Pike's Peak inspire?
Katharine Lee Bates wrote the words to the classic American anthem "America The Beautiful" after her trip to the summit of Pikes Peak in 1893.
How long would it take you to count the stars?
If you attempted to count the stars in a galaxy at a rate of one every second, it would take around 3,000 years to count them all.
What was Johnny Bench's achievement?
Johnny Bench, Cincinnati’s Number 5, is the benchmark against which other catchers are still often compared. As Rookie of the Year in 1968, Bench controlled the game on both sides of the plate with his hitting (.267 with 389 home runs and a then-record 327 as a catcher), calling pitches, blocking home plate, throwing out opposing base runners. Bench won two MVP awards and ten Gold Gloves during his 17 seasons as one of the leaders of the team.
What was the Babe's major passion?
Babe Ruth enjoyed hunting, fishing, boxing, and bowling. But perhaps his biggest athletic passion was golf. He loved the game and played whenever he could. His daughter Julia said in an interview that were it not for golf, he would not have known what to do with himself after he retired from baseball.
Beer was the first trademarked product - British beer Bass
Pale Ale received its trademark in 1876.
Playing-cards were known in Persia and India as far back
as the 12th century. A pack then consisted of 48 instead
of 52 cards.
Excavations from Egyptian tombs dating to 5,000 BC show
that the ancient Egyptian kids played with toy hedgehogs.
Accounts from Holland and Spain suggest that during the
1500s and 1600s urine was commonly used as a tooth-cleaning
agent.
In 1969 the US launched a male chimpanzee called Ham into
space.
In 1963 the French launched a cat called Feliette into
space.
The first written account of the Loch Ness Monster, or
Nessie, was made in 565AD.
How much was the British tax on tea?
The tax imposed on tea that triggered the infamous Boston Tea Party in 1773 was 3 cents per pound.
What did Alex discover in Wyoming?
During the 1940s, Alex Jordan discovered a 60-foot chimney of rock in the pristine Wyoming Valley. He built a weekend retreat house on the sandstone formation called Deer Shelter Rock. Word about his natural discovery spread, and people came in droves to see his architectural wonder. Jordan was surprised and overwhelmed by the constant public attention, and started asking for 50 cent donations. In time, his 14-room house on the rock evolved into a complex of sixteen buildings, countless exhibits, and breathtaking outdoor garden displays with waterfalls. About 100,000 flowers are landscaped at The House on the Rock, as it was named. The popular tourist site now houses fascinating exhibits, including the world’s largest carousel and more than 6,000 Santa Clauses during the Christmas season.
Where did sandlot baseball originate?
The term "sandlot baseball" originated in San Francisco. The term dates to the 1860s when a cemetery that stands where the Civic Center is now located was converted into a park. A sand hill was leveled to create a 17-acre park, which became known as the sandlots.
How many types of mushrooms are there?
There are more than 2,500 mushroom varieties grown in the world today.
How much did the first ballpoint pen cost?
The first ballpoint pens sold in 1945 were priced at $12.00 apiece.
How long has Toys for Tots been collecting for kids?
In 1947, Toys for Tots started making the holidays a little happier for children by organizing its first Christmas toy drive for needy youngsters.
What laws did Elizabeth pass regarding clothing?
During the Renaissance, laws were passed that prescribed which fashions could not be worn by the lower classes, so as to keep social distinctions intact. Queen Elizabeth of England would not allow the ruff to be worn by commoners; in Florence, women of the lower class were not allowed to use buttons of certain shapes and materials.
When should you spray for insects?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the best time to spray household insects is 4:00 p.m. Insects are most vulnerable at this time.
Why do you serve a lemon with fish?
The custom of serving a slice of lemon with fish dates back to the Middle Ages. It was believed that if a person accidentally swallowed a fish bone, the lemon juice would dissolve it.
How much does a new baby cost the parents?
Aside from medical costs, it's been determined that new parents in the U.S. typically spend $7,000 in a baby's first year on everything from diapers to formula to day care.