Knowledge
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Who came up with the modern version of Sudoku?
The modern Sudoku was designed anonymously by Howard Garns, a 74-year-old retired architect and freelance puzzle constructor, and first published in 1979. Garns added a third dimension to the traditional Roman practice of Latin Squares and presented the creation as a puzzle, providing a partially-completed grid and requiring the solver to fill ...Read more
How did the gazelle get its name?
The word "gazelle" comes from the Arabian term for "affectionate," and it is believed to be inspired by the creature's large, gentle eyes.
How long have Birkenstocks been worn in the U.S?
American Margot Fraser "discovered" Birkenstock sandals while on a holiday in Germany in 1966. She gained relief from a foot condition, and founded a trading company called Birkenstock Footprint Sandals, Inc. in Novato, California, based on her enthusiasm for the sandals. Renamed Birkenstock Distribution USA, Inc. in 2005, it remains the ...Read more
Was Sitting Bull a Jumping Badger
Chief Sitting Bull was originally named "Jumping Badger." Among some American Indian tribes, it was customary to give newborn males temporary names. The names were changed later, as the boys developed character and showed courage in manhood.
Who invented the bread slicer?
Sliced bread was introduced by Otto Frederick Rohwedder who invented the bread slicer, which he started working on in 1912. At first, Rohwedder came up with the idea of a device that held the slices together with hat pins (not a success). In 1928, he designed a machine 1.52m long by 0.90m high that sliced and wrapped the bread in waxed paper to ...Read more
What was early eye glitter made of?
Iridescent beetle shells were the source of the earliest eye glitter ever used — devised by the ancient Egyptians.
What sort of cooking oil works best on submarines?
Peanut oil is used for underwater cooking in submarines. Undersea fleets like it because it does not smoke unless heated above 450 degrees F.
Which ball will bounce the highest?
A ball of glass will bounce higher than a ball of rubber. A ball of solid steel will bounce higher than one made entirely of glass.
Which state was first with a minimum wage?
The first state minimum wage law in the U.S. went into effect in Massachusetts on July 1, 1913. It would be another 25 years before the minimum wage law went into effect nationally.
Who were the first with the calculator?
The first true calculator, the abacus, originated in China during the sixth century B.C. Its stone-like beads, shifted along vertical strings, enabled the Chinese to perform basic arithmetical operations with speed and accuracy, the test of a true computer. About 200 years after it was used by the Chinese, the abacus caught on in several ...Read more
Who made St. Nick into a Christmas gift giver?
St. Nicholas was bishop of the Turkish town of Myra in the early fourth century. It was the Dutch who first made him into a Christmas gift-giver, and Dutch settlers brought him to America where his name eventually became the familiar Santa Claus.
How much time do you spend reading the paper?
It has been estimated that the typical American will spend an average of 2 years of his/her life reading newspapers.
Why does the weaverbird build such a nice nest?
The female knot-tying weaverbird will refuse to mate with a male who has built a shoddy nest. If spurned, the male must take the nest apart and completely rebuild it in order to win the affections of the female.
Why do the Irish 'Feed the Wren?'
The Irish custom of "feeding the wren" on December 26 consists of carrying a wren door to door, to collect money for charity. The custom is based on a legend of St. Stephen. Once he was forced to hide in a bush, but a chattering wren gave him away. Children cage the wren to help it do penance for this misdeed. Often the children carry a long ...Read more
How long lived are nuns?
According to one study, nuns have an average life expectancy of 77 years, the longest of any group in the United States.
How did badminton acquire its name?
Badminton was once known as battledore and shuttlecock. The game as we know it today took its name from Badminton House in Gloucestershire, England - home of the Duke of Beaufort.
Where do pineapples come from?
More than one-third of the world's commercial supply of pineapples comes from Hawaii.
What did the British have against gummed envelopes?
The first envelopes with gummed flaps were produced in 1844. In Britain, they were not immediately popular because it was thought to be a serious insult to send a person's saliva to someone else.
Do most people manage to keep their New Year's Resolutions?
Most people fail in adhering to their stated New Year's resolutions. Specifically, 22% fail after one week, 40% after one month, 50% after three months, 60% after six months, and 81% after twenty-four months.
How windy is Colorado's cave?
One hundred years ago, visitors to Cave of the Winds in Colorado carried candles and lanterns along ghostly, dark halls that seemed to have no end. Today, cave enthusiasts can spend an hour or more with an authentically dressed 1800s guide, viewing truly spectacular rooms in the cave, using only the illumination from hand-held lanterns. One of ...Read more
