Random fact about renewable resources
In 1998, only 7.5 percent of our nation's energy came from renewable resources, even though the amount of renewable energy available was more than 250 times U.S. energy consumption.
Geothermal energy in the u.s.
Geothermal energy currently provides more than 2,700 megawatts of electricity nationwide - the equivalent of three nuclear power plants, or enough to power more than 3.5 million homes.
A geothermal power plant emits no nitrogen oxides, very few sulfur dioxides and 1,000 to 2,000 times less carbon dioxide than a fossil fuel plant.
Artic legend man talks to animals
There are arctic legends that speak of a time when man could understand and speak with whales. In fact, many legends worldwide speak of a time when people and animals understood each other.
How to eat like a horse
A 1,200-pound horse eats about seven times it's own weight each year.
Chameleons can move their eyes in two different…
Chameleons can move their eyes in two different directions at the same time.
Animal sonar, echolocation, and noise pollution
Whales and dolphins have a tool called echolocation, a sonar which allows them to "see" their prey, even it's internal workings! Noise pollution in the water has a significant effect on whales ability to navigate, hunt, locate their pods, and reproduce.
Echolocating animals have two ears positioned slightly apart. The echoes returning to the two ears arrive at different times and at different loudness levels, depending on the position of the object generating the echoes. The time and loudness differences are used by the animals to perceive direction. With echolocation the bat or other animal can see not only where it's going but can also see how big another animal is, what kind of animal it is, and other features as well. - wikipedia
Many modern submarines use their own sonar a low and mid-frequency sonar is so deafening the pressure waves affect animals on the cellular level, causing the equivalent of "the bends" or decompression sickness. For animals with echolocation this causes sonar function to fail and leaves these animals blind, if they're lucky. What often results is massive beachings (update: court blocks sonar 7/6/06)
Augustus Caesar became the emperor of Rome in…
Augustus Caesar became the emperor of Rome in 27 BC, and he ruled the empire for over forty years. This period of history became known as the time of the "Great Roman Peace" ... In A.D. 80 the Colosseum was finished where battles were reenacted, where gladiators fought, and where crowds were entertained by savage violence entertained by the spectacle of Christians being eaten by lions.
Sometime between 407-411 Constantine III legalized Christianity. Check out this list, it was easier than you think to be emperor, the hard part is staying emperor. http://www.roman-emperors.org/impindex.htm
n AD 404 a tragic event finally put an end to the gladiators. A Christian monk named Telemachus entered the arena in Rome and tried to separate two combatants. The crowd went berserk, climbed over the walls into the arena and tore the monk limb from limb. The Emperor Honorius permanently banned all gladiator contests.
The Romans were also known to sentencing Christians to death by play. In a live play, when it came time for a death scene, the real actor would be replaced by the accused and the execution would be performed live on stage.
yikes
The rule of 72
The rule of 72 is used to find the number of years it takes to double your money at a given interest rate.
(72/[interest rate]) = years until a principle doubles
So, how long will it take to double your money at eight percent interest? Divide 8 into 72 and you get 9 years.
If you collect 7% on your savings in a little over 10 years the amount will be double what it is today.
The rule of 72 also means that you can determine the time
it takes for a population to double if it is growing at a steady rate by solving this function:
(72/[rate of growth]) = years for population to double
Dedicated fathers in the Antartic
A father Emperor penguin withstands the Antarctic cold for 60 days or more to protect his eggs, which he keeps on his feet, covered with a feathered flap. During this entire time he doesn't eat a thing. Most father penguins lose about 25 pounds while they wait for their babies to hatch. Afterward, they feed the chicks a special liquid from their throats. When the mother penguins return to care for the young, the fathers go to sea to eat and rest.
How many eggs can a Mackerel lay
The mackerel is a moderately prolific fish; females of medium size may produce as many as 400,000 to 500,000 eggs in the aggregate, according to various estimates,[10] with 546,000 reported for one weighing 17/8 pounds. But it is seldom that as many as 50,000 are set free at any one time, and often many fewer
A woodpecker can peck twenty times a second.
A woodpecker can peck twenty times a second.
The misinformation administration
When the U.S. began the occupation of Iraq 72% of Americans thought that Saddam Hussein ORDERED the September 11th attacks. The Bush/Cheney ticket aka misinformation administration claimed to have evidence at the time.
You'll never guess the top selling album of the 90s
The top selling album of the 90s was "Come on Over" by Shania Twain
A sign of the times as musical genres fragmented and mp3s became accessible album sales no longer seems to be a measure of best album.
One of lightning's many surprises
Lightning reaches 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, fours times as hot as the sun's surface. Yet, unlike high voltage electrical injuries with which massive internal tissue damage may occur, lightning seldom causes substantial burns.
Who was it that said "The british are coming?"
It is commonly understood that Paul Revere said "The british are coming, the british are coming."
However, Revere never said "The British are coming," this would have made no sense at the time since they considered themselves British.
Revere instead said, "The Regulars are coming out! The Regulars are coming out!" But, that doesn't have quite the same ring to it.
The longest coldest night on earth
The darkest time of year at the North Pole is the Winter Solstice, approximately December 21. There has been no sunlight or even twilight since early October. The darkness lasts until the beginning of dawn in early March
Now you can see what's happening in the arctic at http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/gallery_np.html
Surprising fact about the interstate highways
The Eisenhower interstate system requires that one mile in every five must be straight. These straight sections are usable as airstrips in times of war or other emergencies.
Bathroom Facts
An average person visits the toilet 2,500 times per year. (6-8 times per day)
People spend at least 3 years of their lives on the toilet.
Seven million cell phones are dropped in the toilet per year.
Americans use a lot more toilet paper than any other country. (7 sheets on average)
People have flushed down the toilet: goldfish, false teeth, socks, underwear, bras, shirts, shoes, mice, hamsters, toy cars, action figures, Barbies, toothbrushes, and whole rolls of toliet paper.
Most toilets flush on an E-flat note.
10,000 times you have to change a baby's diaper until it learns how to go to the bathroom itself.
Men spend 140 days of his life shaving.
Brushing your teeth with the water on wastes 5 gallons of water. Shaving with the water on wastes 15 to 20 gallons.
Females takes 3 times longer than males in the bathroom.
ZZ top fact that was true, at least at one time.
The only member of the band ZZ Top without a beard has the last name Beard.
What does "Goodnight, sleep tight" really mean?
In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes when you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase, "Goodnight, sleep tight."
Prohibition is a great idea, if you are Al Capone
On January 16, 1919 the 18th Amendment, authorizing Prohibition, went into effect in the United States. The home of the free took a beating that day, and it opened the door for such mobster's as Al Capone to make $100,000,000 (100 million dollars) a year at a time when most folks made $1,000 a year.
How many times can you fold a piece of paper?
No matter its size or weight, no piece of paper can be folded in half more than seven times!
Investing facts, tip about hot stocks
The price of hot stocks like IPOs and tech stocks can rise and fall suddenly.
"In these fast markets when many investors want to trade at the same time and prices change quickly, delays can develop across the board. Executions and confirmations slow down, while reports of prices lag behind actual prices. In these markets, investors can suffer unexpected losses very quickly."
"To avoid buying or selling a stock at a price higher or lower than you wanted, you need to place a limit order rather than a market order. A limit order is an order to buy or sell a security at a specific price. "
How do you count cards in blackjack?
A blackjack card counter performs a simple calculation...over and over and over again. The goal is to bet more money when a deck is loaded with big cards 10,Jack, Queen,King, & Ace because the chances of a dealer busting increases. To figure out when the deck favors the player they do the following:
The card counter begins with zero. For every card that appears either they add 1, minus 1, or keep it the same.
If the card is a 2,3,4,5,6 you add 1. If the card is 10,j,q,k,ace you subtract 1. If it's a 7,8,9 the score remains the same.
So, a card counter will bet small while they keep count and if their tally reaches +5 or greater they increase their bet. This system relies on the law of large numbers which says while the bettor will lose or win money on a given day over time the bettor will have the advantage and thus be profitable long-term.
p.s. This is much easier said than done. This formula was introduced in Beat The Dealer in 1966 and the casinos are doing just fine. Good luck!
How people measured things in the early days
In early times various body parts were used as tools and guides, hence the word "feet," or "the rule of thumb."
Time telling
There are 3 basic ways of telling time. a) rotational : rotation of the earth b) dynamic: motion of the moon and planets c) atomic: oscillation within atoms.
How long is a year?
The exact length of time for the earth to rotate around the sun is 365 days 5 hours 48 minutes and 46 seconds
Getting a taxicab ride.
The term, "taxicab", was formed from combining the word, taximeter and cabriolet. Taximeter is a tool for measuring time and distance and a cabriolet is a 2 wheeled 1 horse carriage.
When will that squirrel come out of hibernation?
The longest time spent in hibernation goes to the Burrowground squirrel with 9 months of hibernation.
What is an IPO?
Initial public offering (IPO) — The first time a company sells stock to the public. An IPO is a type of a primary offering, which occurs whenever a company sells new stock, and differs from a secondary offering, which is the public sale of previously issued securities, usually held by insiders. Some people say IPO stands for "Immediate Profit Opportunities." More cynicIt's Probably Overpriced."
What was the best political joke of 2006?
According to about.com and their top 25 funny jokes "I stand by this man because he stands for things. Not only for things, he stands on things. Things like aircraft carriers, and rubble, and recently flooded city squares. And that sends a strong message that no matter what happens to America she will always rebound with the most powerfully staged photo-ops in the world." --Comedian Stephen Colbert, roasting Bush at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.
Our favorite: “To the vice president's credit, he did own up to it (shooting hunting partner in the face). On FOX News he said the fault was his, he can't blame anybody else. Boy, it's amazing, the only time you get accountability out of this administration is when they are actually holding a smoking gun." --Bill Maher
NFL Hall of Fame great Walter Payton
Walter Payton, known as "Sweetness" for his smooth style, until 2002 was the leading National Football League (NFL) rusher of all time, with a career total of 16,726 yards.
Walter Payton played all 13 years of his professional career with the Chicago Bears winning a championship in 1985.
Payton died of a rare liver disease in 1999. He was remembered as both a great player and a great man.
How close are the US and Russia at their nearest point?
In the Bering Strait, Little Diomede Island (US) and Big Diomede Island (Russia) are only about 2.4 miles apart. The International Date Line runs between them, so they are almost a full day apart in time.
How many time zones does China use?
China is wide enough to cover about five geographic time zones, but the whole country officially runs on a single time zone, Beijing Time.
Which country has the most time zones?
France has more time zones than any other country, 12 in all, because its overseas territories are scattered across the globe.
How many FIFA World Cups has Germany won?
Germany has won the FIFA World Cup four times: in 1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014.
Which country has won the most FIFA World Cups?
Brazil has won the FIFA World Cup five times, more than any other country: in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002.
How many time zones does Russia span?
Russia stretches across 11 time zones, so when it is morning in the far east, it is still the night before in the west.
Was there a French Bulldog on the Titanic?
A French Bulldog named Gamin de Pycombe sailed on the Titanic in 1912 and didn't survive. His owner, Robert Daniel, survived and later filed an insurance claim of $750 for the dog, which was a big amount at the time.
How many times has a German Shorthaired Pointer won Best in Show at Westminster?
German Shorthaired Pointers have won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show twice: Carlee in 2005 and CJ in 2016.
Do Russian Blues like routines?
Russian Blues are creatures of habit that usually prefer predictable routines, like meals at the same time, and can get stressed by big changes.
Why did old Siamese cats often have crossed eyes and kinked tails?
Many early Siamese cats had crossed eyes and kinked tails, traits linked to their genetics. Breeders worked to remove them over time, though legends claimed they came from guarding temple treasures.
Why do humpback whales sing?
Male humpback whales sing long, complex songs, likely to attract mates, and these songs change over time and can spread across entire ocean basins like a hit song.
How do emperor penguins incubate their eggs?
Male emperor penguins balance their eggs on their feet under a warm flap of skin for about two months in the Antarctic winter, eating nothing the entire time.
Were there giant penguins in the past?
Prehistoric penguins could be huge. Kumimanu fordycei, a fossil penguin from New Zealand, may have weighed over 300 pounds, more than three times as heavy as an emperor penguin.
How strong are chimpanzees compared with humans?
Chimpanzees are stronger than humans, but not superhero-level. A 2017 study found their muscles are about 1.35 times as powerful as ours, much less than the "five times stronger" myth.
How many people watched the first Moon landing on TV?
An estimated 600 million people around the world watched the Apollo 11 Moon landing on TV, one of the largest audiences in history at the time.
How powerful was the Apollo 11 computer?
The Apollo Guidance Computer that helped land Apollo 11 had only about 4 kilobytes of erasable memory, millions of times less than a modern smartphone.
What did Buzz Aldrin do privately after landing on the Moon?
Shortly after landing, Buzz Aldrin quietly took communion inside the lunar module, which was kept off the public broadcast at the time.
Who invented the printing press in Europe?
Johannes Gutenberg developed a movable-type printing press in Mainz, Germany, around 1440, which made it possible to mass-produce books for the first time in Europe.
Why did Leonardo da Vinci write backward?
Leonardo da Vinci filled his notebooks with mirror writing that reads right to left, along with sketches of flying machines, anatomy, and inventions far ahead of his time.
When did more Britons live in cities than in the countryside?
The 1851 census showed that, for the first time, more people in Britain lived in towns and cities than in the countryside, a direct result of industrialization.
Did Cleopatra live closer to the Moon landing or to the building of the pyramids?
Cleopatra lived closer in time to the 1969 Moon landing than to the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Did King John sign the Magna Carta?
King John didn't actually sign the Magna Carta. He approved it with his royal seal, which was how official documents were authorized at the time.
Did the Wright brothers build a wind tunnel?
The Wright brothers built their own wind tunnel in 1901 to test hundreds of wing shapes, collecting data that was more accurate than what scientists had at the time.
How old was Martin Luther King Jr. when he won the Nobel Peace Prize?
Martin Luther King Jr. won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 at age 35, making him the youngest winner at the time.
When did women in Saudi Arabia first vote?
Women in Saudi Arabia voted and ran for office for the first time in 2015, in local municipal elections.
How much ice cream did George Washington buy?
George Washington spent about $200 on ice cream in the summer of 1790, a huge sum at the time.
What is the best-selling car nameplate of all time?
The Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car nameplate in history. Toyota celebrated its 50 millionth Corolla in 2021.
In how many countries is the Toyota Corolla sold?
The Toyota Corolla is sold in well over 100 countries, which helps explain its all-time sales record.
How did the moving assembly line change car production?
Ford's moving assembly line, introduced in 1913 at its Highland Park plant, cut the time to build a Model T from about 12 hours to about 90 minutes.
Has the Honda Civic made Car and Driver's 10Best list?
The Honda Civic has been named to Car and Driver's 10Best list many times.
Has the Chevrolet Corvette been the Indy 500 pace car?
The Chevrolet Corvette has been the official pace car of the Indianapolis 500 many times.
Why is a Porsche's ignition on the left?
Porsche's left-side ignition is often linked to the old Le Mans running start, where drivers sprinted to their cars, because starting with the left hand let them shift with the right at the same time.
What was the best-selling car in the world in 2023?
The Tesla Model Y was the world's best-selling car in 2023, the first time an electric vehicle took that title.
How many times can you fold a piece of paper in half?
A popular myth says paper can't be folded in half more than seven times, but in 2002 high school student Britney Gallivan folded a long sheet in half 12 times.
How many times can paper be recycled?
Paper can usually be recycled about five to seven times before its fibers become too short to hold together.
Has Earth's magnetic field ever flipped?
Earth's magnetic field has flipped many times. The last full reversal happened about 780,000 years ago, when a compass would have pointed south.
What was the first steam locomotive to run on rails?
In 1804, Richard Trevithick's steam locomotive pulled a train along a railway in Wales, the first time a steam locomotive ran on rails.
Which country has won the most World Cups?
Brazil has won the men's FIFA World Cup five times, more than any other country.
Does Arizona observe daylight saving time?
Most of Arizona doesn't observe daylight saving time, though the Navajo Nation does.
How many times has Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics?
Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics in 1964 and 2021. The 2021 Games were delayed a year by the COVID-19 pandemic.
How big is Berlin compared with Paris?
Berlin covers about nine times the area of the city of Paris.
What time do people eat dinner in Madrid?
People in Madrid often eat dinner around 9 or 10 p.m.
What did Time magazine name the best TV series of the 20th century?
Time magazine named "The Simpsons" the best TV series of the 20th century.
What was the running joke when Norm entered the bar?
On "Cheers," the whole bar shouted "Norm!" every time Norm walked in.
How many times did "Frasier" win Outstanding Comedy Series?
"Frasier" won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series five years in a row, from 1994 to 1998.
What was the Slap Bet?
The Slap Bet was a long-running "How I Met Your Mother" storyline in which Marshall won the right to slap Barney five times whenever he chose.
How many times did "Modern Family" win Outstanding Comedy Series?
"Modern Family" won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series five years in a row, from 2010 to 2014, tying the record set by "Frasier."
How long did "M*A*S*H" run?
"M*A*S*H" aired from 1972 to 1983, roughly three times longer than the Korean War it was set in.
What did the "M*A*S*H" cast bury on the studio lot?
The "M*A*S*H" cast buried a time capsule on the studio lot.
Where does gold come from in the universe?
Much of the universe's gold is thought to be created when neutron stars collide, which scientists observed for the first time in 2017.
How many times did Peter deny Jesus?
According to the Gospels, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crowed.
What is the best-selling album of all time?
Michael Jackson's "Thriller" is widely recognized as the best-selling album of all time, with estimated worldwide sales of around 70 million copies.
Who is the best-selling female recording artist?
Madonna is recognized by Guinness World Records as the best-selling female recording artist of all time.
What is the highest-grossing concert tour ever?
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour became the highest-grossing concert tour of all time, earning more than $2 billion.
What is the best-selling band of all time?
The Beatles are the best-selling band of all time.
Which album did Rolling Stone name the greatest of all time in 2020?
In 2020, Rolling Stone ranked Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" as the greatest album of all time.
What is the best-selling jazz album?
Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue" is the best-selling jazz album of all time.
What time signature is "Take Five" in?
Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" is in an unusual 5/4 time signature.
What is the best-selling reggae album?
Bob Marley and the Wailers' "Legend" is the best-selling reggae album of all time.
What is the best-selling book series of all time?
The Harry Potter series is the best-selling book series of all time, with more than 600 million copies sold.
Who is the best-selling fiction writer of all time?
Agatha Christie is the best-selling fiction writer of all time, with an estimated two billion books sold.
Did Hercule Poirot get an obituary?
When Agatha Christie killed off Hercule Poirot in 1975, the New York Times ran his obituary on the front page.
What is the best-selling mystery novel?
Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" is the best-selling mystery novel of all time.
Did Tolstoy win a Nobel Prize?
Leo Tolstoy was nominated for the Nobel Prize many times but never won.
Who copied out "War and Peace" by hand?
Tolstoy's wife, Sophia, copied the "War and Peace" manuscript by hand several times.
Can you visit the Sea Organ anytime?
The Sea Organ is free to visit at any time.
How many times does the heart beat in a lifetime?
The heart beats about 100,000 times a day and more than 2.5 billion times over an average lifetime.
How often do we blink?
People blink about 15 to 20 times a minute.
How many breaths do we take each day?
People breathe about 20,000 times a day.
Does the Mona Lisa have eyebrows?
The Mona Lisa appears to have no eyebrows or eyelashes, though scans suggest they may have faded or been cleaned away over time.
How much did Van Gogh's "Portrait of Dr. Gachet" sell for?
Vincent van Gogh's "Portrait of Dr. Gachet" sold for $82.5 million in 1990, a record at the time.
How many times did Frida Kahlo marry Diego Rivera?
Frida Kahlo married muralist Diego Rivera twice.
What is the record price for a Latin American artwork?
Frida Kahlo's "Diego y yo" sold for about $34.9 million in 2021, a record for a Latin American artist at the time.
What are Warhol's time capsules?
Andy Warhol filled 610 boxes with everyday items, called his Time Capsules.
What is the most expensive painting by a female artist?
Georgia O'Keeffe's "Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1" sold for about $44.4 million in 2014, a record for a female artist at the time.
What was Jackson Pollock's nickname?
Time magazine nicknamed Jackson Pollock "Jack the Dripper."
How fast do seahorses beat their fins?
Seahorses can beat their small fins up to about 50 times per second.
When was a giant squid first filmed?
A live giant squid was photographed in the wild for the first time in 2004 and filmed in 2012.
When was a colossal squid first filmed?
A colossal squid was filmed alive in the wild for the first time in 2025.
Were narwhal tusks sold as unicorn horns?
In medieval times, narwhal tusks were sold as unicorn horns.
What is chuño?
Chuño is a freeze-dried potato made in the Andes since the time of the Incas.
Was Iyengar named one of the world's most influential people?
Time magazine named B.K.S. Iyengar one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2004.
Was Sadhguru's book a bestseller?
Sadhguru's 2016 book "Inner Engineering" became a New York Times bestseller.
Who was Time's Person of the Century?
Time magazine named Albert Einstein its Person of the Century in 1999.
When was Isaac Newton born?
Isaac Newton was born on Christmas Day in 1642, according to the calendar used in England at the time.
What did Galileo notice about pendulums?
As a young man, Galileo noticed that a swinging chandelier in Pisa Cathedral took the same amount of time for each swing, which led to his study of pendulums.
How popular was "A Brief History of Time"?
Stephen Hawking's 1988 book "A Brief History of Time" sold millions of copies.
Did Stephen Hawking throw a party for time travelers?
In 2009, Stephen Hawking held a party for time travelers and only sent out the invitations after it was over.
Was Alan Turing a fast runner?
Alan Turing was an excellent long-distance runner, and his best marathon time was close to Olympic level.
Why does the Hoover Dam have two clocks?
The Hoover Dam sits on the Nevada-Arizona border and has two clocks showing two different time zones.
Was the Hoover Dam finished on time?
The Hoover Dam was finished about two years ahead of schedule.
Who created time zones in the US?
Railroads created standard time zones in the US in 1883.
Why is the Sun's corona hotter than its surface?
The Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, is hundreds of times hotter than its surface, and scientists are still working out exactly why.
How strong is the air pressure on Venus?
The air pressure on the surface of Venus is about 90 times stronger than on Earth.
What is the tallest volcano in the solar system?
Mars's Olympus Mons is about three times taller than Mount Everest.
What is at the center of the Milky Way?
A supermassive black hole called Sagittarius A*, about 4 million times the mass of the Sun, sits at the center of the Milky Way, and its first image was released in 2022.
Does time slow down near a black hole?
Time slows down near a black hole.
Who was Joseph Swan?
English inventor Joseph Swan demonstrated a working incandescent bulb around the same time as Edison, and the two later joined forces in a company called Ediswan.
How much more efficient are LED bulbs than incandescent bulbs?
Household LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer.
How did the moving assembly line change car manufacturing?
Ford's moving assembly line, introduced in 1913, cut the time to build a Model T from over 12 hours to about 90 minutes.
How does a smartphone compare to the Apollo computer?
The Apollo Guidance Computer that helped land astronauts on the Moon had only about 4 KB of RAM, while a modern smartphone has millions of times more memory.
How big was the Persian Empire?
The Persian Empire was the largest empire of its time.
Who was the man with the golden arm?
Australian James Harrison, known as "the man with the golden arm," donated plasma more than 1,000 times, and it was used to make a treatment that protects babies.
How strong are MRI magnets?
MRI magnets are thousands of times stronger than Earth's magnetic field.