The video game industry in the US faced a significant downturn in 1983, seeing a sharp drop in revenue from $3.2 billion to a mere $100 million by 1985. However, the slump was mitigated when Nintendo launched the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), a move that is often credited with the industry’s subsequent resurgence.
Thrift and Nostalgia: The History of Desperation Pies
Desperation pies, recognized for their economical and readily available filling ingredients, gained their popularity amid financial depressions, World Wars, and prior to the advent of refrigeration. Different types of these pies, such as Green tomato pie, Shoofly pie, Chess pie, and Vinegar pies, were commonly prepared during these challenging times.
Survival at Sea: A Month with Ketchup and Seasonings
Elvis Francois, a 47-year-old sailor from Dominica, managed to survive almost a month stranded at sea, with ketchup and seasonings as his only source of sustenance. In December 2022, while carrying out repairs on his vessel near St. Martin, unforeseen currents swept him out to the open sea. Losing his signal, he was cut off from the outside world, unable to call for assistance.
With no food aboard, Francois had to improvise to survive. He mixed ketchup with garlic powder and Maggi seasoning cubes, using water to create an improvised meal. He also ingeniously collected rainwater on a cloth for hydration.
Despite efforts to light a fire for a distress signal, he was unsuccessful. Nevertheless, he crafted a “HELP” sign on his boat’s hull and tried to catch the attention of passing planes by reflecting the sun’s rays off a mirror. After 24 days of this maritime ordeal, he was finally located by the Colombian Navy, approximately 120 nautical miles northwest of La Guajira.
Francois was rescued and transported to Cartagena, where he was given the necessary medical care after his epic survival feat.
Iceland’s Million-Dollar Kids Show: The Global Success of ‘LazyTown’
The early 21st-century children’s program “LazyTown,” produced by Nickelodeon, was not only recorded in Iceland but also held the distinction of being among the most expensive children’s shows ever created, with a staggering budget of nearly $1 million per episode. Despite the hefty production costs, the show gained widespread acclaim, ultimately being translated into numerous languages and marketed internationally. Interestingly, even though the show was initially performed in English, it was eventually dubbed into Icelandic, with the original cast members providing the voiceovers.
The Fruit Machine: Canada’s Controversial Attempt to Identify Homosexuals in the Public Service during the 50s and 60s
During the 1950s and 1960s, the Canadian government, military, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police utilized a technology known as “the fruit machine“. This machine was employed as a tool in their efforts to identify homosexual men in the public service. Individuals were required to watch adult content as the machine tracked changes in pupil size, sweat production, and heart rate.
Unveiling the Bard: Five Fascinating Insights into William Shakespeare’s Life
William Shakespeare, fondly known as the Bard, remains one of the world’s most iconic literary figures. But there are many less-known facts about his life that cast an intriguing light on the man behind the plays.
1. The Unfortunate Demise of Shakespeare’s Final Residence: The last place Shakespeare called home in Stratford-upon-Avon succumbed to an unfortunate fate in 1759. Reverend Francis Gastrell, the then-owner of the house, grew weary of the constant flood of tourists. In a moment of frustration, he demolished this historical edifice, forever erasing a tangible link to Shakespeare’s later years.
2. An Extraterrestrial Tribute to the Bard: Beyond the confines of our Earth, Shakespeare’s influence extends into the celestial realm. Each one of Uranus’s 27 moons carries a name from characters penned by William Shakespeare or fellow poet, Alexander Pope. A testament to the enduring impact of their literary works.
3. The Unseen Businessman: Not just a man of words, Shakespeare proved a savvy businessman. During periods of famine, he hoarded grain to resell at inflated prices, amassing a wealth used for money-lending activities. However, this enterprise drew the attention of authorities, leading to his pursuit for tax evasion and prosecution for hoarding grain.
4. The Grave Robber’s Curse: To deter any potential grave robbers, Shakespeare left a haunting warning on his tombstone. The curse remains a successful deterrent to date, with his final resting place remaining undisturbed.
5. The Enigma of His Name: Despite his fame, the exact spelling of Shakespeare’s name remains a mystery, even to the Bard himself. His contemporaries came up with over 80 different versions, including “Shappere” and “Shaxberd.” Surprisingly, the now universally accepted “William Shakespeare” was never once used by the man himself.
Twins Apart: The Astonishingly Parallel Lives of the Jim Twins
The Jim twins, who were separated at birth only to be reunited at the age of 39, lived incredibly parallel lives. Each of them had married and later divorced a woman named Linda, and they were presently married to women named Betty. Coincidentally, both had sons whom they named James Allan and owned dogs called Toy. Remarkably, they both drove the same type of car, were employed in the security sector, and had a regular vacation spot: the same beach in Florida.
The Boxer Rebellion: Martial Arts Club’s Secret Struggle for Change
During a span of approximately three years around 1900, there existed a secret society in China dedicated to martial arts training, which sought to topple the Chinese government and expel foreign influences. Recognized in the Western world as “The Boxer Rebellion,” this name derives from the fact that its members engaged in unarmed combat employing traditional Chinese fighting techniques.
7 Interesting Facts About Astronauts and Space
While the expanse of space continues to captivate our imagination, the everyday life of those who traverse its depths – the astronauts – often remain shrouded in mystery. Here, we delve into some unexpected and captivating facts about astronauts and their extraterrestrial experiences.
- To kick off, did you know that burritos are a preferred delicacy among astronauts? In the weightlessness of space, food crumbs can pose a potential threat to equipment. Thus, burritos, which are easy to eat and crumb-free, have become a popular meal choice.
- Gender biases didn’t escape even the final frontier. In an attempt to cater to female astronauts, NASA engineers went to the extent of designing a space-friendly makeup kit. They presumed that these pioneering women would crave the normalcy of their makeup routine amidst the stars.
NASA engineers designed this makeup kit in 1978 for women astronauts. The kit was never flown. (Image credit: NASA) - Food choices before a space flight are also meticulously planned. Traditionally, astronauts consume a hearty meal of steak and eggs before their missions. This meal is not only filling but also low in dietary fiber, reducing the need for astronauts to use the bathroom during their mission.
- The simple pleasure of coffee is not forsaken in space. Thanks to Lavazza, the Italian coffee maker, the International Space Station had its own espresso machine – the ISSpresso – between 2015 and 2017. Samantha Cristoforetti, an Italian astronaut, had the honor of becoming the first person to enjoy a fresh espresso in space, made all the more special with a zero-gravity espresso cup.
- Some physical changes can occur due to the microgravity environment of space. Scott Kelly, an astronaut, experienced this first-hand when he returned from a space mission standing two inches taller than his identical twin brother.
- Racial bias in space wasn’t left behind on Earth, and it made its way into the realm of comic books. In 1956, the Comics Code Authority (CCA) tried to ban a story featuring a black astronaut. This move was not in violation of any existing Code, but the publishers stood their ground and challenged the CCA, even threatening to take the matter to court.
- Lastly, comfort upgrades have also made their way to space missions. For instance, the Apollo 11 astronauts had no choice but to sleep on the cold lunar module floor. However, subsequent missions, starting from Apollo 12, were equipped with adjustable hammocks. This innovation significantly reduced the chilling effects from contact with the cabin floor, making space sleeps a tad more comfortable.
Through these curious snippets, we get a glimpse of the extraordinary, yet very human experiences of astronauts in space. Their stories continue to inspire, captivate, and remind us of our collective strive to push boundaries and explore the unknown.
Hormel Foods’ Unique Terminology: Unwanted Emails over Spam
Employees at Hormel Foods, the company known for producing canned SPAM, are encouraged to call spam emails “unwanted emails.”
Back in the 1930s, who would’ve thought that the name of a canned meat product could stir up such a fuss in the realm of the internet? Hormel Foods, famous for creating SPAM, got a raw deal during the internet surge of the 90s. The term “spam” unfortunately took on a whole new meaning – spam emails.
But, get this: the naming of these annoying, unsolicited emails didn’t emerge from the internet era. It actually comes from a 1970 Monty Python sketch. Yes, you heard it right! This sketch, which features a couple struggling to order a SPAM-free breakfast from a SPAM-saturated menu, unwittingly gave birth to the term. The relentless repetition of the word in the sketch echoed the irritating repetition of unwanted messages online.
It’s totally understandable, then, that Hormel Foods isn’t thrilled about their product’s name being synonymous with the aggravating emails that flood our inboxes. Not exactly the best kind of publicity, right?