Tug of war was an unusual sport included in the Olympics from 1900 to 1920, with the US and Great Britain both winning all three medals in a single year. Other suspended sports include motor boating, lacrosse, and croquet, while golf and rugby have returned. Host nations can include sports of local interest. Since the […]
A natural gas crater in Turkmenistan has been burning since 1971, attracting tourists and earning the nickname “The Gate to Hell.” It was created when an oil drilling platform collapsed, revealing methane gas instead of oil. The crater is estimated to be the size of an American football field. Explorer George Kourounis collected samples of […]
North America has over 20 types of unusual berries, not including strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and cranberries. Some readily available types include black currant, dewberry, and elderberry. Many are artificial crosses created for faster growth or larger size. Some, like mulberries and saskatoons, are hard to find commercially. You might be surprised to know that there […]
During World War I, the French Army used hollowed-out trees as observation posts, and the British and Germans also used dead trees to secretly station soldiers. Replica trees were made with reinforced steel and covered in iron bark, allowing soldiers to climb up and observe through mesh-covered viewing holes. The French Army was the first […]
The Restroom cultural park in South Korea is a theme park dedicated to toilets, featuring different types of toilets, artwork, and souvenirs. Other unusual theme parks include a Charles Dickens-themed park in England and a park in Singapore based on Chinese folktales. In Colombia, Pablo Escobar’s former mansion has been turned into an amusement park. […]
The US offers fun and ironic holidays for those who feel panicked about traditional ones. Fruitcake Toss Day, Towel Day, Zucchini Day, and Talk Like A Pirate Day are some examples. Unusual holidays may have irony, but they possess a heart of gold and a love of innocent fun. The great holidays of the calendar […]
Current space propulsion methods, such as solid and liquid rockets, are expensive and limited. Alternative methods include ion thrusters, nuclear pulse propulsion, solar sails, and antimatter. These technologies have the potential to accelerate spacecraft to near-light speeds, making them the future of space travel. Typical forms of space propulsion today are solid rockets, liquid rockets […]
Cruel and unusual punishment is excessive or cruel punishment given society’s standards. It has evolved as social norms change and can be appealed. The concept is seen in the English Bill of Rights and is enshrined in the US Constitution. Torture, barbaric punishments, and extreme forms of execution are considered cruel and unusual. Psychological abuse […]
Some governments offer reduced sentences for prisoners who participate in self-improvement or community service. In Brazil, prisoners can reduce their sentences by reading books or riding a stationary bicycle to generate energy for street lamps. In the US, inmates can receive slight sentence reductions for good behavior or participation in drug treatment programs, and some […]
Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian artist, painter of the Mona Lisa, sculptor, architect, engineer, scientist, and inventor. He designed unusual inventions such as floating snowshoes, a flying ship, an armored car, and a diving bell. Some of his designs were the predecessors of modern inventions like the war tank and helicopter. He died in […]
Ed Headrick, inventor of Frisbee golf, requested to have his ashes mixed with plastic and made into a memorial frisbee. The Steady Ed Memorial Discs are still available for sale, with proceeds going to the Ed Headrick Memorial Museum. Frisbee was originally called Pluto Platter and the name “Frisbee” comes from a bakery in Connecticut. […]
Harry Houdini, the famous magician and escape artist, couldn’t be outsmarted, but he died in 1926 after a punch ruptured his appendix. His wife held annual séances to try to contact him from the afterlife, and magicians continue the tradition today. You could lock it in an iron chest and throw it in New York’s […]
