Charles Vance Millar, a rich Canadian financier, made his will one last practical joke. In it, he left three men who hated each other a joint lifetime tenancy in a villa, some protestant ministers $700,000 in Catholic beer stock, and anti-horse racing advocates $25,000 in Jockey club stock.
Facts
Billionaire Howard Hughes was…
Billionaire Howard Hughes was badly injured in a plane crash in 1946. Unsatisfied with his hospital bed, Hughes had a team of engineers design a custom bed comprised of six sections, operated by 30 electric motors with push-button adjustments- this became a prototype for the modern hospital bed.
William Clark’s slave, York…
William Clark’s slave, York, was instrumental to the Lewis and Clark Expedition not only because of his strength and services to the corps, but because many Native American tribes regarded him as a God due to his black skin and showered him with gifts and praise.
The creators of Shrek took…
The creators of Shrek took mud showers to study “fluid dynamic simulation” for the movie. The art director also took a trip to a magnolia plantation to learn how to properly render Shrek’s swamp. He was chased by an alligator.
In 2005 a woman in Arkansas survived…
In 2005 a woman in Arkansas survived hitting parking lot asphalt face-first during her first solo jump after her main chute failed and reserve malfunctioned, only to learn during surgery that she was pregnant. The baby also survived.
When King William IV of the United…
When King William IV of the United Kingdom was still a prince, he lived in New York during the American War of Independence. He used to walk around the city unescorted and only started using guards after the British learned about a plot by George Washington to kidnap him.
After being drafted to the Army…
After being drafted to the Army, Elvis Presley was offered to enlist in Special Services to entertain the troops and live in priority housing. He decided to serve as a regular soldier, instead, earning the respect of fellow soldiers and people back home who previously viewed him negatively.
Study shows that negative emotions…
Study shows that negative emotions, such as fear, distress, and guilt, can lead to procrastination.
Most parents do not successfully transmit…
Most parents do not successfully transmit their political values to their children, according to new research which found education appears to make children more likely to reject whatever that they believe their parents to be.
Hard workers may make better…
Hard workers may make better role models than geniuses: success attributed to effort is more inspiring than success attributed to innate, exceptional intelligence.