Little-known facts

[omegatripod]

Yes, I know, this post is kinda random, but I just need to get it out into the open! (EDITED)


-Columbus thought the world was pear shaped.

-The Greeks knew the world was round way before Leif Erikson sailed.

-The brain is a deep red color.

-We use 100% of our brains.

-Mosquitoes hibernate.

-Columbus never actually went to North America. He landed in Central and South America.

-Leonardo DaVinci invented the first car, robot, and tank.

-Archimedes invented the death ray. He made giant magnifying glasses to burn Roman ships in the harbor during the Roman invasion of the Greek city of Syracuse. This strategy worked for two whole years.

-Lemmings are not suicidal.

-Sherlock Holmes never said "Elementary, my dear Watson" in any of his books. The phrase was used in a movie.


Well, there you have it! If you cannot decide whether or not this makes me a crazy person, send me a check for $20 and I'll tell you. Oh yes, and a gold star to anyone who already knew any of these!

[Lensman]

Well, some of these "facts" should be little known, because they're wrong.

Human brains-- our "gray matter"-- are pinkish-gray. Certainly not deep red.

And "Myth Busters" did not one but two episodes on the story of Archimedes setting Roman ships afire with mirrors. Considering no team succeeded even using modern mirrors and a stationary target, it seems very unlikely Archimedes succeeded with this. Like the legend of the Pharos (Lighthouse of Alexandria) using a beam of light to set ships afire, this seems to be a fanciful exaggeration which evolved over centuries following the real events.

[RustiSwordz]

My ass can cover the sun.. my little known fact.

[Reppu]

The one about Sherlock Holmes is true....i must know, since i've read every single Sherlock story written by Doyle.

[mrgrotey]

Doesn't everyone now about the lemming one by now? you cant utter the name 'lemming' without some wise-ass piping up with did you know they don't jump off cliffs?!"

YES I ferkin' knew!!!

[poyks]

Jun 23, 2008 6:02:37 GMT 1 Lensman said:

Well, some of these "facts" should be little known, because they're wrong.

Human brains-- our "gray matter"-- are pinkish-gray. Certainly not deep red.

And "Myth Busters" did not one but two episodes on the story of Archimedes setting Roman ships afire with mirrors. Considering no team succeeded even using modern mirrors and a stationary target, it seems very unlikely Archimedes succeeded with this. Like the legend of the Pharos (Lighthouse of Alexandria) using a beam of light to set ships afire, this seems to be a fanciful exaggeration which evolved over centuries following the real events.

Yep, saw Mythbusters 'bust' that one.

How many of these are true?

In the 1400's a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed
to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have 'the rule of thumb'.

Many years ago in Scotland , a new game was invented. It was ruled
'Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden'...and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.

The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV were
Fred and Wilma Flintstone.

Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the U.S. Treasury.

Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.

Coca-Cola was originally green.

The average number of people airborne over the U.S. in any given
hour: 61,000

Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.

The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.

The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.

Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from
history:

Spades - King David
Hearts - Charlemagne
Clubs -Alexander, the Great
Diamonds - Julius Caesar

111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321

If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs
in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.

[richardburton]

I'd heard all of those ones were true, Poykman. Are some urban myths?

[mrgrotey]

Jun 23, 2008 17:56:45 GMT 1 @poyks said:

If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs
in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.

That one is an urban myth, twas on QI it was

[Bagnew]

I knew all of them Where's my star?

[omegatripod]

Jun 23, 2008 6:02:37 GMT 1 Lensman said:

Well, some of these "facts" should be little known, because they're wrong.

Human brains-- our "gray matter"-- are pinkish-gray. Certainly not deep red.

And "Myth Busters" did not one but two episodes on the story of Archimedes setting Roman ships afire with mirrors. Considering no team succeeded even using modern mirrors and a stationary target, it seems very unlikely Archimedes succeeded with this. Like the legend of the Pharos (Lighthouse of Alexandria) using a beam of light to set ships afire, this seems to be a fanciful exaggeration which evolved over centuries following the real events.

Wait, I said mirrors? Dammit, I made a typo! I meant to say magnifying glasses only! I must have gotten confused. No, seriously!
And about the brain, it really is a deep pinkish-red. That myth about it being gray or pinkish-gray originated from certain preservatives for brains that made them firm and gray or pinkish-gray. It's actually very soft and jelly-like, not firm.
Oh, and bagnewauckland, here's your star:

[Bagnew]

YAY! It's a nice star, but it's not gold. Oh well, I will love it and feed it and call it george

[Lensman]

Jun 23, 2008 16:34:28 GMT 1 mrgrotey said:

Doesn't everyone now about the lemming one by now? you cant utter the name 'lemming' without some wise-ass piping up with did you know they don't jump off cliffs?!"

YES I ferkin' knew!!!

;D

Altho actually there are documented cases of lemmings leaping to their deaths in fjords. According to what I've read, lemmings are capable of swimming across small streams, and do so when migrating, but are so nearsighted that if they come to a river, they may mistake it for a small stream and jump in.

So, the next time some wise-arse says "No, lemmings do *not* jump off cliffs!"... you can look down your nose at him and say "Actually, contrary to common misperception, there's some truth in that myth." Extra points for saying that in a snottily nasal tone.

[Lensman]

Jun 23, 2008 17:56:45 GMT 1 @poyks said:

How many of these are true?

Hmmm, every one I've checked has been false. Interesting, I thought at least the one about statues of famous soldiers on horseback was true. *Dang* there is a lot of misinformation out there!