5 Fascinating Facts About Janitors You Probably Didn’t Know

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“I was raised to treat the janitor with the same respect as the CEO” – Tom Hardy

Janitors are vital in maintaining the cleanliness and functionality of our environments. Yet, their personal stories reveal that they are much more than just their job titles. From modest origins to remarkable achievements, these individuals demonstrate that even the smallest roles can lead to significant success. Here are some interesting stories about janitors that highlight the diversity and inspiration found in their lives.

1. From Janitor to CEO: The Goldman Sachs Story

Sidney Weinberg began his career at Goldman Sachs as a janitor’s assistant, earning just $3 a week. His duties included tasks like brushing the hats of the firm’s partners. But Weinberg’s work ethic caught the attention of Paul J. Sachs, the grandson of the firm’s founder, who eventually promoted him to the mailroom. After improving his skills and climbing the ranks, Weinberg became a Goldman Sachs partner in 1927. He went on to save the company from near collapse during the Great Depression, ultimately becoming the firm’s head—a position he held until his death in 1969.

2. Kurt Cobain: Janitor to Rock Icon

Before rising to fame as the iconic frontman of Nirvana, Kurt Cobain took on a janitorial job at his former high school. This job helped him fund the band’s first demo, showing that even rock stars sometimes need to scrub floors to get their start.

3. A Medal of Honor Recipient in Disguise

At the U.S. Air Force Academy, a cadet made a surprising discovery while reading about World War II. He came across the name of a janitor who worked at the academy and realized the man was a Medal of Honor recipient. This quiet hero never sought recognition but carried a story of immense bravery, demonstrating that even those who seem ordinary may have extraordinary pasts.

4. Rockstar Janitor: Noodles from The Offspring

Noodles, the guitarist for the band The Offspring, didn’t quit his job as a high school janitor right away when the band hit it big. He promised his boss he’d finish out the school year, sticking to his word even as fame came calling.

5. A Millionaire Janitor’s Simple Secret

Ronald Read, a Vermont janitor and gas station attendant, quietly amassed a fortune of nearly $8 million by the time of his death in 2015. His secret? Living frugally and investing in dividend-producing stocks. Avoiding investments he didn’t understand, Read became a millionaire by sticking to blue-chip companies and holding onto his investments for the long term.

Whether it is a case of building an empire in finances or being legendary in the rock genre, these stories inspire us to see the potential in every path we take.

7 Crazy Food Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

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Food has always been a big deal in our lives, from way back in ancient times to today’s kitchens. Certain food facts are just too weird or surprising to pass up. In this article, we will look at some of the strangest tidbits about food from history and now. Prepare for some wild culinary revelations!

1. Microwave-Safe Doesn’t Mean Chemical-Free

If you see “microwave-safe” on plastic containers, all it means is that the container won’t melt or warp inside a microwave. But that says nothing about whether carcinogenic chemicals will leach into your food when heated. The better practice would be to transfer food, when possible, to glass or ceramic containers.

2. Kraft Dinner: Canada’s Comfort Food

There is just something so quintessentially Canadian about Kraft Macaroni and Cheese-what most Canadians refer to as “Kraft Dinner.” Invented in the Depression era, Kraft Dinner has grown to be a staple within Canadian households. Few people cook it precisely according to the box instructions; most have their own recipes that involve wieners or additional cheese. Some even refer to Kraft Dinner as Canada’s “True National Dish.”

3. The Largest Meal Ever Eaten

In 1983, a 23-year-old woman from the UK set a grim record after consuming a staggering 19 pounds of food in just four hours. This massive meal remains the largest ever documented, though it sadly resulted in her death.

4. Steve Jobs’ Bizarre Eating Habits

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs often went on extreme eating regimens, sticking to just one or two foods—like carrots or apples—for weeks. He even believed his all-fruit diet meant he didn’t need to shower, much to the dismay of his coworkers. Actor Ashton Kutcher tried copying this diet while preparing for his role as Jobs in a biopic and ended up in the hospital twice with pancreatitis!

5. Gerber’s Flop With Adult Baby Food

In the 1970s, Gerber, the baby food giant, tried marketing “Gerber Singles” for young adults and college students. These “meals in a jar,” with offerings like “Beef Burgundy,” failed miserably. Apparently, adults didn’t find the idea of eating pureed meals out of a jar quite as appealing as babies do.

6. Men and Women’s Very Different Eating Preferences

A study on food and gender revealed some surprising patterns. Men overwhelmingly prefer meat and tend to eat faster, while women gravitate toward vegetables, chocolate, and whole grains. Men often feel hungry before dinner, but women are more likely to snack throughout the day, especially in the morning.

7. Ancient Rome Had Take-Out

Long before the modern food delivery revolution, ancient Romans were enjoying their own version of takeout. Over 200 street-side restaurants in Pompeii offered meals to go. Most homes didn’t even have kitchens, suggesting that cooking at home was far from common.

These fun and quirky facts show just how deeply food is intertwined with culture, history, and even our personal habits. Maybe next time you sit down to eat, you might remember some of these strange food facts!

6 Unbelievable Facts About Teachers That Will Surprise You

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Teachers have always been there, uniquely positioned to shape and mold lives and communities. Sometimes, though, the stories of their greatness rise above even the ordinary to that of triumph, discipline, and unexpected creativity. Here are surprising facts about teachers that go beyond the classroom.

1. The Loudest Shout Ever Came from a Teacher

A primary school teacher holds the record for the loudest shout ever recorded—an ear-piercing “Quiet!” that reached 121.7 decibels. This impressive vocal feat has stood unbeaten for 30 years.

2. A Teacher Who Couldn’t Read

John Corcoran taught for 17 years without knowing how to read or write. Despite his struggles in school, he managed to cheat his way through college and became a teacher. It wasn’t until the age of 47 that he finally learned to read, inspired by Barbara Bush’s efforts in adult literacy advocacy.

3. Famous Students Defy Their Teacher’s Expectations

An Illinois high school English teacher once told two students they’d never learn to write. Those students were Robert St. John, who became a renowned journalist, and Ernest Hemingway, one of the most celebrated authors in literary history.

4. A Teacher Used ‘Game of Thrones’ as Discipline

In 2014, a Belgian math teacher came up with a creative way to discipline his unruly class. Since he had already read the “Game of Thrones” books (which were ahead of the TV show at the time), he threatened to spoil the plot for his students if they didn’t behave!

5. Bathroom Break Misunderstanding Leads to $1.25 Million Settlement

In 2012, a California high school student was forced to urinate in a bucket in a supply room after a teacher mistakenly believed that bathroom breaks were not allowed. The incident led to a lawsuit, and five years later, the school district was ordered to pay the student $1.25 million in damages.

6. Mentos and Coke—A Chemistry Class Sensation

When the executives at Mentos saw even a simple chemistry teacher create a soda geyser with Diet Coke and Mentos on “The Late Show,” they immediately took advantage of the opportunity. They ran a campaign that called for more people to create videos of themselves doing the experiment, further resulting in a viral trend that increased sales 20% for Mentos.

These stories show that teachers can inspire, surprise, and sometimes even go down in history for the most unexpected reasons!

8 Surprising Facts About Alcohol You Didn’t Know

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Check out these wild and lesser-known facts about alcohol that’ll surely make you think twice before raising that glass next time. It has some surprising effects on your smarts and health, plus insane stories and weird discoveries. Alcohol fits into our lives and affects us much more complexly than one would imagine!

1. High School IQ Linked to Later Alcohol Use

Studies show that your IQ back in high school can actually be an indication of how you will drink later in life. Indeed, people with higher IQs are more likely to end up as moderate or heavy drinkers, rather than total abstainers.

2. No Health Benefits to Moderate Drinking

Contrary to general view, a new study finds that moderate consumption of alcohol does not carry health benefits. Previous studies have exaggerated these benefits; some scientists still raise concerns that the alcohol industry popularized light drinking as a way of living longer. In fact, according to international studies, no amount of alcohol is considered healthy for general purposes.

3. Alcohol Dependence and Sexual Dysfunction

A study revealed that the majority of men who suffer from alcohol dependence also experience sexual dysfunction, adding another dimension to alcohol’s health risks.

4. No Alcohol on the ISS

Alcohol is banned on the International Space Station-but not because of health or intoxication issues. It’s a combustible chemical that can corrode the water filtration systems on the station. For the same reason, NASA also forbids mouthwash and aftershave. Sad fact: Since returning from the Moon, astronaut Buzz Aldrin has publicly struggled with depression and alcoholism.

5. Self-Recovery from Alcohol Dependence is Common

Interestingly, about 75% of individuals who overcome alcohol dependence do so without formal help, such as rehab or Alcoholics Anonymous. Only 13% of alcohol-dependent people ever receive specialized treatment.

6. Saudi Arabia and Alcohol

Alcohol was legal in Saudi Arabia until 1952. That changed after the Saudi king’s son, while drunk, shot and killed a British diplomat. This incident led to the strict alcohol ban still in place today.

7. Cancelling Vertigo with Heavy Water

Drinking heavy water (deuterium oxide) alongside alcohol can cancel out vertigo. If you don’t have access to heavy water, glycerol works as well.

8. Winston Churchill’s Relationship with Alcohol

During Prohibition in the U.S., Winston Churchill was prescribed an “indefinite” supply of alcohol by his American doctor after being hit by a car. He claimed that stopping alcohol abruptly could kill him due to withdrawal. In fact, sudden alcohol withdrawal can be fatal for alcoholics, as can withdrawal from benzodiazepines. Churchill is estimated to have consumed around 42,000 bottles of Pol Roger Champagne in his lifetime, drinking two bottles daily from 1908 until his death in 1965. His daily alcohol intake included whisky, champagne, wine, and brandy, spread across meals and moments throughout the day.

These facts highlight the complex, often misunderstood role that alcohol plays in health, history, and human behavior. Whether you indulge occasionally or abstain, it’s clear that alcohol affects much more than just your next hangover.

10 Vital Facts About Water: Understanding Our Most Precious Resource

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Water is not only essential for life but is increasingly becoming a precious commodity in our world. As we face growing concerns over water scarcity and conservation, understanding the unique properties and challenges associated with water is crucial. Here are some fascinating facts about water that highlight its importance and the complexities of managing this vital resource.

1. The True Color of Water: Contrary to common belief, water is not colorless. Pure water exhibits a slight blue hue, which intensifies to green with increased depth. This coloration is due to the selective absorption and scattering of white light, a characteristic inherent to water.

2. Water Collection in Bermuda: In Bermuda, a lack of natural freshwater sources has led to a unique architectural feature: white, stepped roofs designed specifically for collecting rainwater, ensuring that each household has access to water.

3. Water Usage on U.S. Lawns: Residential lawns in the United States consume about 9 billion gallons of water daily, accounting for approximately 2.7% of the nation’s total water usage. This highlights the significant impact of domestic landscaping on water resources.

4. Impending Water Shortages: By 2030, global water demand is projected to outstrip supply by 40%, with 11 major cities facing severe water scarcity challenges. This underscores the urgent need for sustainable water management practices.

5. Water as a Human Right: In July 2010, the United Nations officially recognized access to drinking water as a fundamental human right, emphasizing its central role in sustaining life and dignity.

6. Water on Mars: Recent scientific discoveries have revealed the presence of vast oceans of water on Mars. However, this water is located deep beneath the surface, making it currently inaccessible.

7. Psychological Benefits of Water: Research suggests that being near water can enhance well-being and happiness. This connection to water not only promotes mental health but also underscores the intrinsic value of natural water bodies.

8. Plastics in Bottled Water: Studies have found that bottled water can contain hundreds of thousands of microplastic particles, raising concerns about its safety and the environmental impact of plastic waste.

9. Dangers of Water Intoxication: Drinking an excessive amount of water in a short period can lead to water intoxication, a potentially fatal condition. This highlights the need for moderation even in essential activities like hydration.

10. History of Public Drinking Water: Before the advent of public water fountains, people commonly used a “common cup” to drink water in public spaces. This shared, often unhygienic cup posed significant health risks, reflecting the evolution of public health measures over time.

Water’s role in our world is multifaceted, impacting everything from urban planning and public health to ecological balance and personal wellness. Do you know any other interesting facts about water that weren’t mentioned here? Feel free to share them in the comments below.