What American businessman and astronomer Percival Lowell mistakenly thought were “spokes” on the surface of Venus were actually shadows of the blood vessels in his eyes cast on his retina, his telescope essentially functioning as a giant ophthalmoscope.
In 1952 Irishman Michael Patrick O’Brien…
In 1952 Irishman Michael Patrick O’Brien was trapped on a boat between Hong Kong and Macao for 11 months. He didn’t have the papers to get off at either end of the trip and no one would issue them to him.
A women bought one of those robocaller’s…
A women bought one of those robocaller’s “Car Extended Auto Warranties” so she could once and for all figure out who they were. Then she proceeded to file a class action lawsuit against the company for violating Do Not Call lists.
The ceremonial handguns carried…
The ceremonial handguns carried by Sentinel NCOs at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are highly unique and customized SIG SAUER M17s of which 4 exist. Made with nods to history such as grips made from wood off the USS Olympia, the ship that transported the original Unknown back in 1921.
Leona Woods was the only woman physicist…
Leona Woods was the only woman physicist on the team which built the world’s first nuclear reactor as part of the Manhattan Project. She became a mother during the Project but hid her pregnancy as not to miss work. Afterwards as a professor, she authored >200 papers in physics and astrophysics.
Spending just a few months in Antartica…
Spending just a few months in Antartica can shrink your brain due to environmental monotony and prolonged isolation.
The first woman to win Olympic…
The first woman to win Olympic gold in the 100m, was wrongly thought to be dead dead in a plane crash. After the undertaker declared her alive, she spent a few days in and out of consciousness and was told she would never compete or walk unaided again. She went on to win another gold medal.
You’re programmed to love the…
You’re programmed to love the music you listened to in high school the most. The music we like gives us a hit of dopamine and other feel-good chemicals, and that’s even stronger when we’re young because our brains are developing.
Germany is home to the oldest social…
Germany is home to the oldest social housing complex, dating back to the 16th century. Needy citizens can live there for an annual rent of 1 rhenish guilder, approximately 1 USD, and are required to make 3 prayers per day.
It has been 32 years since a left-handed …
It has been 32 years since a left-handed catcher played in a Major League Baseball game. His name was Benny Distefano and he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1989.