In 2013, police in the Maldives detained a suspect for loitering near an election polling place on suspicion of black magic. The suspect in question was a coconut. A magician summoned by police established that the coconut was innocent. No arrests were made. 00
A French law demands that manufacturers…
A French law demands that manufacturers display how long their appliances will last. French companies have to inform consumers how long spare parts for the product will be available or risk a fine of up to €15,000 (£11,000). 00
The term ‘soap operas’ originated from daily…
The term ‘soap operas’ originated from daily 15 minute programs on the radio and were so-called because they were sponsored by soap companies, such as Colgate-Palmolive and Procter & Gamble. Soap operas were specifically engineered to appeal to women with the intention of increasing sale of soap. 00
A Chinese millionaire author of online fantasy…
A Chinese millionaire author of online fantasy novels paid $10,000 for the most expensive single shot of Scotch ever sold, only to have the bar manager fly to China to refund him in person when the Scotch was determined to be a fake. 00
Back in 2002, computer game maker…
Back in 2002, computer game maker Acclaim Entertainment announced that it planned to advertise its newest game, ShadowMan2, by paying families for the right to place small billboards on gravestones. The amount paid would be proportional to how visible and well-placed the gravestone was. The company suggested that its scheme might “particularly interest poorer families.” […]
In 1996 and 1997, Emily Rosa, 9, tested…
In 1996 and 1997, Emily Rosa, 9, tested 21 therapeutic touch practitioners whether their claims to detect “human energy fields” were true. After finding they were right only 44% of the time, she published the results on 1998, becoming the youngest person to have a research paper published. 00
Icelandic people actively work to eliminate…
Icelandic people actively work to eliminate English “loanwords” in their language by inventing and substituting new words from Old Icelandic and Norse roots. 00
Many schools in Japan require students…
Many schools in Japan require students to have black hair. Those with other hair colors are often pressured to dye their hair by a rule intended to prohibit dying of hair. 00
Facebook artificial intelligence robots…
Facebook artificial intelligence robots were shutdown after they started talking to each other in their own language. 00
The guy who ate a whole Cessna…
The guy who ate a whole Cessna airplane was awarded a bronze plaque by the Guinness Book of World Records. He was so honored that he ate the plaque. 00