When the Romans returned from France and Germany with blonde slaves, some Roman women tried copying the look by dying their hair blond, only for it to fall out. Instead the women cut off the slaves hair to use as wigs.
In the 1930s, parents used to keep their babies in cages on their…
In the 1930s, parents used to keep their babies in cages on their windowsill in order to make sure they got enough air and sunshine in tall apartment buildings.
In Classical Athens, the citizens could vote each year to banish…
In Classical Athens, the citizens could vote each year to banish any person who was growing too powerful, as a threat to democracy. This process was called Ostracism.
In 1923, Germany’s hyperinflation was so high, the exchange…
In 1923, Germany’s hyperinflation was so high, the exchange rate went from 9 marks to 4.2M marks to $1 USD. One German worker, who used a wheelbarrow to cart off billions of marks that were his week’s wages, was robbed by thieves who stole the wheelbarrow but left the piles of cash on the curb.
Daddy Longlegs have been around for at least 400…
Daddy Longlegs have been around for at least 400 million years, barely changing, and predate the dinosaurs.
Daddy Longlegs have been around for at least 400…
Daddy Longlegs have been around for at least 400 million years, barely changing, and predate the dinosaurs.
One of the seven wonders of the world, the Temple…
One of the seven wonders of the world, the Temple of Artemis, was burned down by an arson who wished to be famous for his crime. Following his execution, the Ancient Greeks made it an offense subject to the death penalty to mention his name.
Romans would post news and information along their…
Romans would post news and information along their road networks, especially where three roads intersected, known as a tri-via. Hence, tidbits of information became known as trivia.
Mithridates VI was so paranoid of being poisoned that he took…
Mithridates VI was so paranoid of being poisoned that he took small doses throughout his life to build up an immunity. When he was finally captured by the Romans, he tried to kill himself with poison but failed because he was immune.
On a trip to England in 1698, Peter the Great loved the taste…
On a trip to England in 1698, Peter the Great loved the taste of stout beers, but was unable to take any back with him to Russia before it spoiled. To mitigate this, London brewers added more hops and alcohol to their stouts thus creating a new beer style, the Russian Imperial Stout.