Category Archives: Crazy Facts
The 1812 New Madrid Quake: A Tremor Felt Across the Continent
The most intense earthquake to ever strike the continental United States happened in New Madrid, Missouri, in 1812. Its force was so tremendous that it caused tremors felt as far away as New York, provoked church bells to chime in South Carolina, and even reversed the flow of a section of the Mississippi River. Source
Defending Liquor with Machine Guns: The Byron’s Warehouse Story in Oklahoma
Established by Byron Gambulos, Byron’s Liquor Warehouse stands as one of Oklahoma’s largest liquor outlets. This Oklahoma City landmark came into existence in 1959, soon after the state’s legalization of alcohol. The infancy of the legal alcohol era in Oklahoma was marked by chaos and confusion. “The system was haphazard. Both wholesalers and retailers seemed… Read More »
The Fedora’s Feminist Origins: From Women’s Rights Symbol to Fashion Statement
The fedora, often associated with mobsters, originally held significance as a representation of the Women’s Rights Movement. Initially, the fedora was designed as a hat for women and gained popularity through the influential actress Sarah Bernhardt, who was known for her cross-dressing roles. Making its debut in 1882 as women’s headwear, the fedora quickly became… Read More »
Idle Nature: The Unexpected Downtime in Insect Communities
Surprisingly, a significant number of animals, including those we typically consider industrious, spend a considerable amount of their time seemingly idle. Observations of social insect communities, such as ants or bees, reveal that roughly less than half of the population are often stationary, appearing to do nothing. Source
Pizza Farms: A Delicious Blend of Agriculture and Education
Have you ever heard of pizza farms? These are unique establishments that either sell pizzas made from ingredients grown on-site, or they function as educational farms that cultivate pizza ingredients, often on a circular piece of land divided into pizza slice-like segments. Some of these farms primarily focus on selling pizzas. They have gained significant… Read More »
Sweet Overload: The Impact of Genetically Modified Fruits on Zoo Animals
Contemporary fruit, having been genetically altered over the years, is proving excessively sweet for zoo animals. Australian zookeepers have started reducing the fruit intake of some animals due to the heightened sweetness that may harm their health. Modern-day farming technology has accelerated the breeding of crops, enhancing their resistance to diseases and pests. This progress,… Read More »
The Domino Effect: How One Rotten Apple Can Spoil the Barrel
Does the saying “one rotten apple spoils the whole barrel” hold any truth? Absolutely. When an apple becomes damaged or begins to decay, it generates a gas called ethylene. This gas elevates the apple’s internal temperature slightly, initiating the breakdown of chlorophyll and the creation of other pigments. Concurrently, the fruit’s starch is transformed into… Read More »
Dr. Seuss’s Enduring Partnership: A Lifeline during the Great Depression
Dr. Seuss’s depiction of a Flit insecticide sprayer in one of his cartoons led to a significant endorsement contract with the company that lasted for 17 years. This long-term partnership provided substantial financial support for Seuss and his family, enabling them to weather the economic turmoil of the Great Depression. Source
From Bitter to Better: The Evolution of Brussels Sprouts Since the 90s
Since the 1990s, Brussels sprouts have undergone intentional breeding to improve their taste by reducing their bitterness. Plant breeders selected the most promising varieties and crossbred them with newer ones that boasted other beneficial features, such as increased yields and robust disease resistance. This strategic breeding resulted in Brussels sprout varieties that have been well-received… Read More »
Worry as a Buffer: Minimizing Emotional Contrasts after Negative Events
Research indicates that the primary reason behind worry might be to mitigate the impact of negative emotional shifts following adverse events. In essence, if we’re already in a state of worry or anxiety, the emotional downfall experienced after a negative event is less severe compared to when we’re in a state of happiness or relaxation.… Read More »