The Random Fact Tumblr

Attack of the Moose

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 14:55:29 -0500

Although not usually aggressive to humans, moose attack more people than bears and wolves combined. Generally these attacks result in minor consequences, but in the American continents moose injure more people than any other wild mammal.

For more reading on moose aggression: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moose#Aggression

Jack Bauer Kills

Sun, 06 Jan 2013 13:28:47 -0500

Wondering how many kills Jack Bauer made throughout the series 24? The number is at 268. Here is the breakdown by season:

Number of Kills
Season 1     10
Season 2     30
Season 3     14
Season 4     43
Season 5     39
Season 6     51
Redemption 15
Season 7     28
Season 8     38
    Total     268

For complete details on each kill, check out http://24.wikia.com/wiki/On-screen_kills_by_Jack_Bauer

Making it Rain

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:25:19 -0500

The largest denomination of currency ever printed by the US government is the $100,000 bill. The bills were printed from December 18, 1934 through January 9, 1935 and feature the portrait of President Woodrow Wilson. However, these notes were never circulated among the general public. The largest bill ever to be put into public circulation was the $10,000 bill featuring Salmon P. Chase.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_denominations_of_United_States_currency#.24100.2C000_bill

The Most Expensive Painting Sold

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 14:32:26 -0500

The most expensive work of art ever sold is a piece from a series of oil paintings done by Cézanne known as The Card Players. These works were done by Cézanne in the early 1890s with the series consisting of five paintings. One version of The Card Players was sold in 2011 for an estimated price between $250 million and $300 million which makes it the most expensive work of art sold.

Wikipedia notes: “In February 2012, Vanity Fair reported that the royal family of Qatar had, during 2011, purchased their version of the painting for a record price variously estimated at between $250 million and $320 million from the private collection of Greek shipping magnate George Embiricos.”

Everyone has an opinion on politics these days, including...

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 15:36:58 -0500

Everyone has an opinion on politics these days, including animals. For the past 15 years, the town of Talkeetna, Alaska has been run by Mayor Stubbs who happens to be a cat….

BMW Flamethrower

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 18:53:00 -0500

What better way to defend your vehicle from an unwanted carjacking then with a built in flamethrower for your vehicle? Such a device known as The Blaster (or BMW Flamethrower) was created by South African inventor Charl Fourie.

According to Wikipedia: “The invention came in response to the increasingly severe violent crime situation in South Africa, which in 1998 had already made the country (particularly Johannesburg) the per capita murder, assault, rape and carjacking capital of the world. The Blaster was a liquefied petroleum gas flamethrower installed along the sides of the vehicle under the doors. Should a group of carjackers suddenly attack the vehicle while it is stopped in traffic (the typical scenario), the occupant could flip a switch and direct 5 metre plumes of flame upward into the facial area of anyone trying to enter the vehicle through the doors or windows. Fourie claims it is unlikely to kill but would “definitely blind” the assailant. In South Africa, it is legal to use lethal force in self-defence if in fear of one’s life, and ownership of flamethrowers is unrestricted.”

Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaster_%28flamethrower%29

Here is some video of this vehicle add-on in action:

End of Customer Support

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 12:16:00 -0400

After 24 years, Nintendo has officially ended support for their flagship console- the Nintendo Entertainment System AKA NES. It was originally released in the USA October 1985. The scarcity of parts has required Nintendo to end their long running support. In addition, they also ended support for the Super NES, Nintendo 64 and the original Gameboy. Props to Nintendo for doing what they can to support the iconic NES.

Source: http://www.techpowerup.com/43607/Nintendo-Ends-Support-for-the-NES.html

Are You a Timbromaniac?

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 15:56:10 -0400

A timbromaniac is nothing more than a fancy term for someone who has a passion for stamp collecting.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/timbromania

The Matchbook Collector

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 07:52:49 -0400

A phillumenist is one who engages in phillumeny. Phillumeny is the art of collecting matchbooks, matchboxes, and related items.

More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillumeny

Ferrule

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:27:17 -0400

The little metal band that encircles your pencil eraser is known as a ferrule.

The Law

Fri, 04 May 2012 14:29:46 -0400

The strong arm of the law is far-reaching, albeit can be quite strange at times. Here are some of the more unique laws in place.

Cripple Creek, Colorado: It is illegal to bring your horse or pack mule above the ground floor of any building.

Alabama: bear wrestling matches are prohibited.

Fairbanks, Alaska: It is considered an offense to feed alcoholic beverages to a moose.

Arizona: hunting camels is prohibited

Cathedral City, California: It is prohibited to sleep in a parked vehicle

Mozart Gets Down and Dirty

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 16:21:35 -0400

From Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leck_mich_im_Arsch

“Leck mich im Arsch (literally “Lick me in the arse”) is a canon in B-flat major composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, K. 231 (K. 382c), with lyrics in German. It was one of a set of at least six canons probably written in Vienna in 1782. Sung by six voices as a three-part round, it is thought to be a party piece for his friends.”

Later on, Jack White from the White Stripes teamed up with Insane Clown Posse to cover this classic song. And if you must really listen to the abomination that spewed forth, here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR0MUiRDrP4

It's NERF or Nothin'

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:36:48 -0400

NERF stands for “Non-Expanding Recreational Foam” and the brand was originally created by the company Parker Brothers. Hasboro currently controls the NERF brand.

Taken from the Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerf

“Nerf foam is made from a solid, spongy cellular material. Polyester resin reacts with a compound while CO2 is simultaneously released by another reaction. It is this gas that creates open pockets within the polyurethane that, in turn, makes the material soft and light.”

The "Big Tiger"

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 11:43:25 -0400

Bang Kwang Central Prison is known as the “Big Tiger” because it “prowled and ate” those sentenced there. This harsh prison not only houses a multitude of foreign prisoners, but it is also home to death row inmates and long-sentence prisoners. All new prisoners are required to wear leg irons for the first three months and death row inmates actually have their leg irons permanently welded on.

From the Wikipedia Page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bang_Kwang_Central_Prison
Prisoners receive one bowl of rice in vegetable soup each day. Other food must be purchased from the prison canteen. The prison works on a chit system. Each prisoner has an account with the canteen. Poor prisoners do chores for wealthier prisoners and prison guards to earn money for food. Some British and Lebanese prisoners receive extra money per month from charities. The British Embassy also provides food and vitamins for their prisoners. Prisoners are provided with cooking facilities and gas for the stoves is provided by the prison.

Batman- Founder of Melbourne

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 13:34:54 -0400

John Batman (21 January 1801 – 6 May 1839) was an Australian grazier, businessman and explorer who is best known for his role in the founding of a settlement which became Melbourne and the colony of Victoria.

Pioneer John Batman helped establish what is now currently known as Melbourne, Australia. When he found the current site of central Melbourne, he noted in his diary of 8 June 1835, “This will be the place for a village.” and declared the land “Batmania”. He then worked with the local Aborigines to come up with a treaty to rent the land on an annual basis- known as Batman’s Treaty. The cost per year to rent the land was: 40 blankets, 30 axes, 100 knives, 50 scissors, 30 mirrors, 200 handkerchiefs, 100 pounds of flour and 6 shirts.

Go Out with a Bang!

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:58:00 -0400

Funerals are never an enjoyable experience, but now you can give your mourners one last show. For a cool $4,000.00 you can have your cremated remains turned into a professional fireworks display. Why not go out with a bang and leave one hell of a lasting memory??

“Each of our services is built around a beautifully choreographed fireworks display. Using proprietary technology, the cremated remains are loaded into specially modified fireworks shells by our licensed and highly trained staff. Fired into the sky as a part of the service, the cremains are scattered within the brilliant colors and patterns of the fireworks display. The service will include over 200 fireworks shells.”

http://www.angels-flight.net/index.htm

Return of the DeLorean

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:33:09 -0400

The iconic DeLorean made famous by the Back to the Future movies is making a comeback! The vehicle is slated to make its return as an electric vehicle (perhaps with a stable flux capacitor??). The car is expected to start going into production in the not too distant future of 2013.

“The all-electric version of the iconic car debuted at the DeLorean Motor Company open house in Humble, Texas. DMC has partnered with Epic EV — a company that not only makes on-road electric vehicles, but also off-road and water-based vehicles as well — to create the EV version of the car.”

http://goodcleantech.pcmag.com/automotive/289275-delorean-returning-in-2013-as-an-electric-vehicle

McDonald's Secret Menu

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 13:20:00 -0400

Keep it on the DL but McDonald’s has some special off-menu items available for order:

McKinley Mac – A big Mac with quarter pounder patties.
Grilled Cheese - A bun grilled with American cheese inside.
All American - This is a normal sized hamburger with only pickles and ketchup.
Big McChicken - This is a huge sandwich in which the chicken patties replace the bun.
Fries with Big Mac Sauce - Fries smothered in the secret and special big Mac Sauce.
Chicken and Waffles - This is a McGriddle sandwich with chicken in the middle.
Neopolitan Milk Shake - 1/3 vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice creams blended together into one shake.
McLeprichon - This shake is only available in March and is composed of the shamrock shake mixed with the chocolate shake making a mint chocolate shake.
Pie McFlurry - If you purchase a pie you can have it blended into your McFlurry.
McGangBang - This is a double cheeseburger with a chicken patty in between the two beef patties.
Land, Sea, and Air Burger - The Land, Sea, and Air burger has a beef patty, chicken patty, and fillet-o-fish patty all piled high onto a bun.
Root Beer Float - You can pick any size of root beer and they will add the vanilla ice cream on top.
Coke Float - Any size of coke with ice cream. You can even get it with chocolate ice cream.
Monster Mac - A big Mac composed of 8 meat patties.
2 Cheese Burger Meal Mac - Two cheese burgers, fries and a drink.

James Buchanan

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 12:10:43 -0400

James Buchanan - 15th President of the United States from 1857-1861

He was one of six Presidents born in a log cabin and the first President born in Pennsylvania. He was born in Cove Gap, Penn on April 15, 1791.

Buchanan is so far the only bachelor President. He almost married in 1819 but his fiancee, Anne Caroline Coleman broke off the engagement. She died a week later. He is one of three Presidents to not have any children.

He was a democrat and one of his favorite vegetables was cabbage.

There Goes the Neighborhood...

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 12:07:01 -0500

The below was taken from the Wikipedia article on the later years and death of the iconic actor/comedian Rodney Dangerfield.

In 2001 Dangerfield had a mild heart attack while backstage at the Tonight Show. During Dangerfield’s hospital stay, the staff was reportedly upset that he smoked marijuana in his room. But he was back at the Tonight Show a year later, performing on his 81st birthday. On April 8, 2003, Dangerfield underwent brain surgery to improve blood flow in preparation for heart valve-replacement surgery on August 24, 2004. Upon entering the hospital, he uttered another characteristic one-liner when asked how long he would be hospitalized: “If all goes well, about a week. If not, about an hour and a half.”

In October 2003, the Chicago Tribune, and numerous other media outlets as well, reported that Rodney met with members of the Raelian religion (see Raëlism) to discuss cloning himself. Joan Child, who was rumored to be a member of the religion, appeared with Rodney on television to discuss the meeting.

In September 2004, it was revealed that Dangerfield had been in a coma for several weeks. Afterward, he began breathing on his own and showing signs of awareness when visited by friends. However, on October 5, 2004, he died at the UCLA Medical Center, from complications of the surgery he had undergone in August. He was a little over a month and a half short of his 83rd birthday. Dangerfield was interred in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. His headstone reads, “Rodney Dangerfield… There goes the neighborhood.”

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodney_Dangerfield#Later_years_and_death