Another 20 Interesting Facts That You (Probably) Didn’t Know (April 26, 2023)
The world never ceases to amaze, with a never-ending supply of fascinating facts waiting to be discovered. Each day brings new opportunities to learn something unexpected, and today is no exception! We've gathered 20 intriguing tidbits to spark your curiosity and expand your horizons.
From the natural wonders of our planet to peculiar historical events, these facts are sure to delight and surprise. So, buckle up and get ready for a journey through the unknown, as we present to you 20 facts you (probably) didn't know.
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1
Cleopatra's Curious Chronology
Cleopatra lived closer in time to the building of the first Pizza Hut than to the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza. The Egyptian queen ruled in the 1st century BCE, while the Great Pyramid was built around 2560 BCE, and Pizza Hut was founded in 1958. On a separate note, hear us out - Pyramid Pizza! (Think about it)
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2
Cashew Conundrum
Cashews are never sold in their shells because the shells contain a toxic substance called urushiol, the same chemical found in poison ivy. Direct contact with cashew shells can cause an allergic reaction. We don't know about you, but no toxic shell is going to keep us away from the Cashew inside
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3
The Colors of the Universe
In 2002, astronomers calculated the average color of the universe, resulting in a shade they dubbed "cosmic latte." The color is a slightly beige-ish off-white and was determined by analyzing the light emitted by 200,000 galaxies. Would you like a little "Milkey way" in your "cosmic latte"?
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4
Carrots: A Colorful History
Carrots were originally purple or white. It wasn't until the 17th century that Dutch growers cultivated orange carrots, possibly as a tribute to the House of Orange, the Dutch royal family. Orange you glad they made the switch?
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5
Stealthy Owls
Owls can fly almost completely silently thanks to their specially designed wings. The serrated edges of their flight feathers break up air turbulence, reducing noise and making them stealthy hunters. If they fly into your house and steal something you'll be like "Hoo-dunnit?"
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6
Not all Penguins like snow
While most penguins are found in the Southern Hemisphere, the Galápagos penguin is the only species that lives north of the equator. These birds inhabit the Galápagos Islands, which are located in the Pacific Ocean, close to the equator. Who knew penguins could be such equator-skipping rebels?
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7
Volcanic Lightning
Volcanic lightning, also known as a "dirty thunderstorm," occurs during volcanic eruptions. It's caused by the collision of volcanic ash particles, which generate static electricity and produce spectacular lightning displays. Yes, because flying chunks of lava wasn't terrifying enough!
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8
The Origin of the Dollar Symbol
The dollar symbol ($) is believed to have originated from the Spanish peso, which was commonly abbreviated as "PS" in the 18th century. Over time, the "S" was written over the "P," eventually evolving into the symbol we know today. That's some priceless historical trivia!
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9
The Loudest Animal on Earth
The sperm whale holds the title for the loudest animal on Earth. These massive marine mammals produce echolocation clicks that can reach up to 230 decibels—louder than a jet engine taking off! Whale, that's just ear-splittingly impressive!
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10
Australia's Pink Lake
Lake Hillier, located on Middle Island in Western Australia, is a naturally occurring pink lake. The vibrant hue is caused by the presence of a specific type of algae and bacteria that thrive in the lake's high-salinity waters. But why does it look tasty?!
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11
The Nose Knows
Humans can differentiate between approximately 1 trillion distinct scents. Our sense of smell is much more powerful than we often give it credit for! Wait, there are 1 trillion distinct scents?! we can't even name 5
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12
Sunflower's Hidden Math
Sunflowers display a mathematical phenomenon called the Fibonacci sequence. The seeds in a sunflower's head are arranged in a spiral pattern that follows this famous sequence, allowing for the most efficient packing of seeds. Nature's blooming with mathematical genius!
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13
A Gecko's Gravity-Defying Feet
Geckos can climb walls and even walk on ceilings thanks to their specialized feet. They have microscopic hairs called setae, which create weak molecular attractions called van der Waals forces, allowing them to stick to almost any surface. These little lizards really know how to put their best foot forward!
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14
The Invention of the Sandwich
The sandwich is named after John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, an 18th-century English aristocrat. Legend has it that he asked for meat to be served between slices of bread so he could continue gambling without getting his hands greasy. A tasty creation born from a high-stakes bet!
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15
The Speedy Hummingbird
Hummingbirds are incredibly fast flyers, with some species reaching speeds of up to 34 miles per hour. Their wings can flap an astonishing 50 to 200 times per second. Talk about a turbo-charged bird!
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16
The Color-Changing Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty wasn't always green. When it was first assembled in 1886, it was a shiny copper color. Over time, the copper oxidized and formed a green patina, giving Lady Liberty her iconic hue. A makeover that truly stands the test of time!
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17
A Solar-Powered Sea Slug
The eastern emerald elysia, a type of sea slug, is capable of photosynthesis. It incorporates chloroplasts from the algae it eats into its body, allowing it to convert sunlight into energy. Move over, plants, there's a new photosynthesizer in town!
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18
The Sound of Space
While space is often thought of as a silent vacuum, it does have a "sound." Spacecraft, such as NASA's Voyager and Cassini missions, have recorded electromagnetic waves within space that can be converted into audible sound. You can click on the video to hear what each planet in our solar system "sounds" like
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19
The World's Most Expensive Spice
Saffron, a popular spice derived from the crocus flower, is the most expensive spice in the world. It takes around 75,000 flowers to produce just one pound of saffron, making it worth its weight in gold! That's some seriously fancy flavor!
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20
The Sleepy Half of The Brain
When dolphins sleep, only one half of their brain rests at a time. This unique adaptation allows them to continue swimming and coming up for air, even while they snooze. Now that's what we call multitasking while catching some Z's!
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