In 2016, Reykjavik’s City Council decided to turn off city lights in order to allow residents to enjoy a fantastic Northern Lights display without artificial light pollution. 10
The term “groggy” comes from either the British…
The term “groggy” comes from either the British or American Navy. These sailors drank Grog, which was a mix of rum, water, and citrus juice, which was used to fight scurvy. Someone who is dazed or sleepy might feel as if they have had too much grog, making them “groggy.” 10
The US Navy sends medics to the high…
The US Navy sends medics to the high-volume emergency rooms of LA and Chicago to prep them to be deployed. “It’s a shame that Los Angeles has so much violence,” surgeon John Newman told the Los Angeles Times in 2003, “but from a training standpoint — fantastic.” 10
During WWII, a research program tried to…
During WWII, a research program tried to train pigeons to guide missiles. Pigeons would follow the image, pecking at it, which would move the screen on its pivots. The program was shutdown, with the lead researcher stating:”Our problem was no one would take us seriously.” 10
Napoleon Bonaparte was once moved…
Napoleon Bonaparte was once moved to tears over the grief of a dog who he found sitting with its owner’s body. 10
A man named Dan Goodwin climbed the…
A man named Dan Goodwin climbed the north World Trade Center tower in 1983 to call attention to the inability to rescue trapped occupants from the upper levels of skyscrapers. 10
Alligators have been a long-running problem for…
Alligators have been a long-running problem for NASA, including climbing over their fences and entering buildings over night. 10
In 2007, a plane carrying $3.3 Million dollars…
In 2007, a plane carrying $3.3 Million dollars in cash crashed in a poor Brazilian village. The plane was looted and the cash became a curse as thieves descended on the town to steal it. 10
In 1953, Swanson had 260 tons of leftover…
In 1953, Swanson had 260 tons of leftover turkey from Thanksgiving and didn’t know how to get rid of it. They asked their workers for ideas, and one man thought they should package it in individual trays with sides and freeze it. The TV dinner was born. 10
In the 1930s New York city planner Robert…
In the 1930s New York city planner Robert Moses deliberately built a number of bridges really low so that only cars could go under it – so as to prevent blacks (who mostly used public transport) from visiting New York’s ‘pristine’ beaches. 10