During the Spanish American war, the USS Charleston fired 13 rounds at the Spanish fort on Guam which all missed. The Spanish, unaware that war had been declared, believed the Americans must be firing a salute and rowed out to apologize for their lack of gunpowder to return the salute.
Scientists in Florida plan to release genetically modified mosquitoes into…
Scientists in Florida plan to release genetically modified mosquitoes into the wild. The males still mate with females, but the hatchlings die before adulthood due to the presence of the new genes.
Paper cuts hurt so much because the cut often bleeds very…
Paper cuts hurt so much because the cut often bleeds very little or not at all, leaving the skins pain receptors open to the air. This is exacerbated by irritation caused by the fibers in the paper itself, which may be coated in chemicals such as bleach. Additionally, most paper cuts occur in the fingers, […]
In 1953 a newspaper boy was paid with a coin which he found…
In 1953 a newspaper boy was paid with a coin which he found to be hollow and contain a coded message. He gave it to authorities but the code could not be deciphered. Years later, a Russian spy in the U.S. defected and during his interrogation was shown the coin and code. The message was […]
In the US being clean shaven became popular after troops returned…
In the US being clean shaven became popular after troops returned as heroes from WWI–they had been required to shave so gas masks would securely fit.
Franz Von Werra, a Nazi POW who was transfered to Canada to deter his multiple…
Franz Von Werra, a Nazi POW who was transfered to Canada to deter his multiple escapes and recaptures, escaped again in less than a month, traveling through the US, Mexico, Brazil, Spain and Italy to become the only Western held POW to return to combat. On 25 October 1941 Von Werra took off in Bf […]
A father and son survived a Megatsunami (1700′ wave) by riding…
A father and son survived a Megatsunami (1700′ wave) by riding out the wave in their Alaskan fishing boat.
There are four times as many abandoned housing…
There are four times as many abandoned housing units as homeless in New York City.
In Germany there are elevators with no doors that never stop…
In Germany there are elevators with no doors that never stop. The riders must be ready to hop on at the right time or risk being “guillotined” by the lifts.
Kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, and kohlrabi…
Kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, and kohlrabi were all selectively bred from the mustard plant.