6 Interesting Tidbits About the World of Fashion

A luxury store with mens clothing.
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If you think fashion is all about glitz and glamour, these surprising facts might make you reconsider. Here are six bizarre facts about fashion:

1. Ever heard of the real Fashion Police? No, it’s not just a TV show. During the medieval period in Europe, actual fashion law enforcers patrolled the lanes of Italy to maintain sumptuary laws. They had the authority to penalize excessive display of luxury on the spot. Interestingly, men were found to violate these laws twice as much as women.

2. Fashion isn’t exclusively a human phenomenon. In a peculiar instance, a chimpanzee was seen sporting a blade of grass in her ear, apparently without any practical purpose. When her primate companions began emulating her, researchers recognized the first ever non-human instance of a fashion statement.

3. The invention of Velcro didn’t take the apparel industry by storm instantly. Its creator spent two decades evolving the idea into a viable product, but even then it didn’t catch the industry’s attention. It was only when NASA expressed interest in using Velcro for space applications that it gained popularity in fashion circles as a space-age element.

4. Did you know that concerns over public health influenced fashion trends in the 1900s? With the spread of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, people were advised against sporting beards and long dresses. This advice was rooted in the pre-germ theory belief that beards and fabrics could shield against miasma or “bad air”.

5. High heels, a quintessential part of women’s fashion today, were actually introduced by men. They were initially worn by men and only later adopted by women in an attempt to incorporate more masculinity into their outfits.

6. The sun tan trend owes its origin to a fashion mishap. In the 1920s, iconic fashion designer Coco Chanel inadvertently got sunburnt during a visit to the French Riviera. As she returned home with a tan, society, idolizing her lifestyle, began to perceive tanned skin as a symbol of luxury, health, and fashion.

10 Bizarre Tidbits About the Federal Bureau of Investigation

Male FBI agent wearing dark blue coat with FBI logo looking down the street with cars in the dusk seen from behind.
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Ever wanted to delve deeper into the enigmatic world of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)? Here are ten outlandishly intriguing facts about the FBI you might not be aware of:

1. In an era when women were largely excluded from many roles, the FBI fell in line. From 1928 to 1972, there were no female special agents in the Bureau. This came to be after J. Edgar Hoover put a ban on the recruitment of women in 1924 and subtly ousted the three serving female agents.

2. The FBI isn’t immune to missteps. A whistle-blower from within the Bureau shed light on several inconsistencies in forensic cases. Years later, after enduring attempts by the FBI to discredit him, an investigation revealed that forensic hair analysis was in error or inaccurate over 90% of the time.

3. Famed writer Ernest Hemingway frequently voiced his concerns about being tracked by the FBI. While many dismissed his fears as paranoia during his lifetime, it was discovered posthumously that Hemingway had indeed been under intense FBI surveillance, including wiretapping and tracking, for nearly two decades before his demise.

4. The establishment of the Bureau of Investigation (now known as the FBI) has a connection to French royalty. Charles Joseph Bonaparte, the grandnephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, was the one who created the Bureau.

5. The FBI has had difficulties in recruiting hackers due to a particular hiring stipulation. This rule requires that applicants must not have consumed marijuana in the past three years.

6. Talk about irony – Robert Hanssen, an FBI agent, was assigned the task of unearthing a mole within the Bureau after several FBI informants within the KGB were discovered. As it turned out, Hanssen was the mole who had been covertly working with the KGB since 1979. His treason caused severe damage to the U.S, making him the most harmful spy in U.S history.

7. Sometimes, simplicity is key. In 1971, burglars gained entry into an FBI office by leaving a note on the front door that read “Please don’t lock this door tonight.” They managed to steal several files.

8. Ethics came under the scanner in 1980 when the FBI created a bogus company and offered bribes to congress members. Shockingly, around 25% of those tested accepted the bribe and were subsequently convicted.

9. In an odd twist, the FBI issued a memo in 1947 stating that the beloved film “It’s a Wonderful Life” was a ploy by communists to smear bankers’ reputations. This came about because the antagonist of the movie, Mr. Potter, was a banker.

10. The FBI isn’t impervious to hoaxes. They spent over two years investigating the ‘Church of the Hammer’ and their Yahoo group ‘GodHatesGoths’, which was supposedly an anti-goth cult. The lengthy investigation concluded when they realized the entire thing was a fabrication, intended as a prank.

Hawaii Unveiled: Ten Enthralling Discoveries from the Island Paradise

Amazing view of the Kalalau Valley and the Na Pali coast in Kauai.
Amazing view of the Kalalau Valley and the Na Pali coast in Kauai.
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Hawaii’s transition from an independent monarchy to a U.S. territory is traced back to a significant incident in 1893. An alliance of American soldiers and a handful of enterprising businessmen successfully orchestrated a coup, effectively ending Hawaii’s sovereignty.

The alluring appeal of Hawaii, unfortunately, harbors hidden perils. An alarming statistic reveals that about one visitor loses their life every week while indulging in typical holiday pursuits such as snorkeling, hiking, or simply enjoying the breathtaking vistas.

A notable aspect of Hawaii’s landscape is the island of Lanai, the archipelago’s sixth largest. This island, covering 88,000 acres, is majorly owned by one of the founders of Oracle. He acquired this stake for $300 million in 2012, promising to invest an additional $500 million towards renewable energy projects. A decade since, two resorts have been renovated, an old movie theater revived, and a hydroponic lettuce farm established.

Intriguingly, there exists an island known as the “Forbidden Isle,” acquired for a modest $10,000 by a Scottish woman back in 1864. Today, her direct descendants retain control over the island and its modest population, necessitating their approval for any outsider seeking access.

In a bid to safeguard Hawaiian culture from oblivion, King Kalākaua embarked on a global journey in 1881. He earned the distinction of being the first monarch to circumnavigate the world, establishing valuable connections across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and America.

Surprisingly, nearly half of all Native Hawaiians have relocated away from the islands, primarily due to the spiraling cost of living and economic stagnation. Many have found a new home in California, because Hawaii became the priciest state in the U.S., with living expenses exceeding the average wage by a fifth.

An unusual Hawaiian tradition permits the scattering of ashes into the fiery craters of its volcanoes. This practice requires a permit, available for a nominal $25, and discretion on the part of those partaking.

When it comes to culinary predilections, Hawaiians exhibit an unrivaled penchant for Spam. With the highest per capita consumption in the U.S., the islands collectively consume approximately seven million cans each year.

Hawaii’s flag interestingly includes the Union Jack, even in the absence of any historical British rule. This inclusion signifies the amicable relations maintained with the United Kingdom.

Lastly, the revered Hawaiian tune, “Aloha ‘Oe,” carries a rich cultural legacy. Its creator was the last queen of Hawaii, Liliʻuokalani, who penned it while imprisoned following a coup that culminated in Hawaii’s annexation by the U.S.

Decoding the Unique Aesthetics of American Diners

The exterior design of American diners often brings to mind the silhouette of a train – an association that is not accidental. The term “diner” itself is rooted in the history of train travel, inspired by the dining car found on many trains. This history greatly influences various design elements within the diner, from the booth and counter seating to the open kitchen setup, all reminiscent of dining arrangements within a train’s dining car. Intriguingly, the earliest incarnations of diners were actually repurposed train cars set permanently on land.

The peak of train travel occurred in the 1920s when car ownership was limited to less than 10% of the American population. As the decades rolled on, the landscape started to change. By the 1950s,  diners started to adapt their designs to people driving in cars.

In later stages, even the advent of space travel contributed to the diner’s evolution, reinforcing the diner’s status as an American icon that reflects the nation’s historical and cultural milestones.

Five Bizarre Facts About Governors You Never Knew

Delve into the world of politics with five interesting facts about governors that reveal a blend of history, humor, and occasional bizarre trivia.

Former Alaska governor and political superstar Sarah Palin
Former Alaska governor and political superstar Sarah Palin
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1. Taking the reigns at the tender age of 24, Stevens T. Mason, Michigan’s inaugural governor, holds the record for being the youngest state governor in American history. Among his initial legislative acts was an unconventional land trade where Michigan conceded territory to Ohio in return for sections of the Upper Peninsula.

2. The world of academia witnessed an unusual gubernatorial nominee in 2005. A doctoral candidate from the University of British Columbia humorously endorsed a fire hydrant for a position on the Board of Governors, even going as far as to serve as its “interpreter”. The hydrant managed to secure a whopping 900 votes, missing out on the seat by a mere six ballots.

3. Former Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger, during his stint as Governor of California, faced allegations from opposing politicians that he cryptically embedded the words, ‘F*** You’, in a veto message by utilizing an acrostic-style structure. When confronted about the apparent message, Schwarzenegger’s campaign staff responded with a coy, “My goodness. What a coincidence.”

4. Wyoming’s first Democratic governor attended his inaugural ball sporting a pair of shoes crafted from human skin.

5. General James Wilkinson, who served as the governor of the Louisiana Territory, was posthumously revealed to have been a high-ranking spy for Spain, with the shocking truth only coming to light nearly three decades after his death.