The eyes of the world were turned spaceward in October 1957 because the Soviet Union had just launched Sputnik, the first manmade object sent into space. Or was it? Just a few […]
Did a Manhole Cover Become the First Manmade Object in Space?
Haircuts in North Korea Are a Big, Fat, Hairy Deal
Just when we thought we had run out of utterly bizarre things to report about North Korea, something else presents itself. The nation may be financially bankrupt, but as far as entertainment […]
The Dam So Big That It Slows Earth’s Rotation
If you aren’t particularly interested in dams, you might think that the day passes more slowly if you have to spend much time contemplating them. There is, however, a direct correlation between […]
Lincoln’s Defense Strategy: Don’t Be a Liar
Abraham Lincoln had quite a reputation as a trial lawyer. He was most known for representing railroads and other businesses in civil matters, but he was no stranger to criminal law cases. […]
Can You Master the Complexity of the Malbolge Computer Language?
When it comes to complicated things, you will be hard-pressed to find anything that is worse than Malbolge. It takes the complexity of computer programming, the nuances of foreign languages, and mixes […]
The Nation With a Ghost Town for its Capital
Not too many of us can name the nations of the Lesser Antilles from memory. Fewer can name the capital cities of those island nations. There is a chance you know someone […]
How to Steal an Airplane Without Breaking the Law
William McBoyle stole an airplane, and it was perfectly legal. Just to be clear, he actually took possession of someone else’s aircraft without their permission and never gave it back. Even so, […]
The Most Expensive Hyphen In History
It has been called the most expensive hyphen in history. That is a bit of a misstatement. It was actually the most expensive overbar in history, but since most of us have […]
He Survived Niagara Falls, But an Orange Peel Did Him In
Going over Niagara Falls in a barrel is the Mount Everest of accomplishments for daredevils. It stands to reason that anyone who can survive such a feat must possess near-superhuman invulnerability and […]
How One Man Changed the Public’s Mind About the Tomato
It is difficult to overstate the contribution of tomatoes to our culinary culture. Imagine how poorer we would be without pizza, marinara sauce, salsa, or any of the countless dishes that rely […]
Would You Like Some Wasps With Your Figs?
If you are filling your plate at a banquet and see a tray of wasps in the midst of a selection of fruit, it’s a safe bet that you would take a […]
What’s With the Nearly-Invisible Wire that Surrounds Many Major Cities?
In more than 200 cities around the world you can, if you look closely enough, find a thin wire that encircles a significant portion of the community. Most go about their days […]
The Postmaster General is the Second-Highest Paid Person in U.S. Government
If the importance of a position is measured by the paycheck, it makes sense that the President of the United States draws the biggest salary of federal government officials. Using salary as […]
The Strangely-Spelled Road to the Lowest-Grossing Movie in History
The movie Zyzzyx Road is worth noting. Please note that we did not say it is worth watching. In terms of writing, cinematography, acting, and originality, the whole thing would better […]
Berlin’s Modern Airport That Has Never Seen an Airplane
Airports are for airplanes. Airports are for aviation passengers. Airports are complex logistical partnerships of commerce, transportation, and technology that pump life into the economy. With its reputation for top-notch efficiency, Germany […]
