Dick’s Last Resort, an American bar and restaurant chain, encourages the staff to act obnoxiously towards their customers. The restaurant has its origins in the owners’ original opening of a “fine-dining” establishment. The establishment was a failure, which resulted in bankruptcy. Rather than continue with the upscale restaurant motif, the owners retooled their efforts and […]
The Tsar Bomba, the single most physically powerful device ever used…
The Tsar Bomba, the single most physically powerful device ever used, had a mushroom cloud over 7 times the height of Everest. The shockwave circled the earth 3 times and caused windowpanes to be partially broken at distances of 900 km (560 mi). The original design was twice as large.
In 1944 the British submitted a full plan to kill Hitler during one of his routine…
In 1944 the British submitted a full plan to kill Hitler during one of his routine, solitary walks. It was never carried out because he was such a poor strategist, they realized his replacement would do a better job of defending from the Allies.
Puppy Pregnancy Syndrome: an illness where people believe they are pregnant…
Puppy Pregnancy Syndrome is an illness where people believe they are pregnant with puppies after being bitten by a dog.
Frane Selak, an 85 year old, narrowly survived a train crash which killed 17, being blown…
Frane Selak, an 85 year old, narrowly survived a train crash which killed 17, being blown out of a plane which killed 19, a bus accident which killed 4, 2 car explosions, being hit by a bus, and narrowly avoided being hit by a truck, TO THEN go on and win the lottery.
The 442nd Infantry Regiment, composed of largely Japanese American unit that served…
The 442nd Infantry Regiment, composed of largely Japanese American unit that served during WWII, did so while their families were held in internment camps. Their motto was “Go for Broke” and they were the most decorated unit in U.S. military history.
Antarctica has the highest literacy rate…
Antarctica has the highest literacy rate of any continent.
The Red carpet culture dates back to ancient Greece. Earliest mention…
The Red carpet culture dates back to ancient Greece. Earliest mention being in the play Agamemnon, where the “Crimson path” was to signify the stature, as it was luxury fit only for the gods.
Bowhead whales may be the world’s longest lived mammal. In 2007, a 15m…
Bowhead whales may be the world’s longest lived mammal. In 2007, a 15m (49ft) specimen was discovered with the head of a harpoon embedded in its neck. The 3.5-inch (89 mm) projectile was manufactured in New Bedford, Massachusetts around 1890, suggesting the animal survived a hunt a century ago.
A researcher in the 1970s blindfolded participants and told them they were going…
A researcher in the 1970s blindfolded participants and told them they were going to play tug-of-war against another team. When they were told they had 3 others pulling with them, they pulled 18% less strenuously than when they were told they were alone. The effect is now known as social loafing.