You may keep some in your car, or in your purse, or use some at stations posted at the entrance to most public buildings and doctors’ offices. Here’s a look at a product that’s become a regular part of daily life: hand sanitizer. (1) Hand sanitizer was first developed by an Ohio company called GOJO, […]
Warning: These stories are morbid…but fascinating. By looking at their final meals, we catch an eerie glimpse into the everyday lives of these larger-than-life figures…whose worlds were about to end. ELVIS PRESLEY The King stayed up most of the night of August 15, 1977. He was restless. Between midnight and 6:00 a.m., he went to […]
There are certain places you hear mentioned on the news or read about in magazines that aren’t exactly countries—they’re more like regions or “geographic distinctions.” But where are they? (Here they are.)
…except “can I have some cookies?” We don’t have any cookies. Only answers to trivia queries. In fresh milk, why does cream rise to the top? Milk that is fresh from the cow, or unpasteurized, comes with the cream, all at once. Cream has a lot more fat in it than the milk does. Oddly […]
Popular songs are more than just background music—we mark the milestones in our lives by the songs we listened to. Here are the stories behind how some of our favorites were created. Marvin Gaye SONG: “What’s Going On” (1971) STORY: By the end of the 1960s, Gaye had become unhappy with the way Motown was […]
For some reason, baseball seems to inspire more songs than any other sport. “Fat is In” Terry Forster was a journeyman relief pitcher who played for five teams in the ‘70s and ‘80s, including the Los Angeles Dodgers when they won the 1981 World Series. When he was traded to Atlanta in 1983, he put […]
Most all major bands reassemble at least once for a comeback tour. These bands reunited, too—for one concert. Pink Floyd The band—or what was left of it, after the departure of multiple founding members over clashing egos and constant infighting—quietly disbanded after it wrapped up its 1994 tour. It would take a good cause to […]
“Common knowledge” is frequently wrong. Here are some examples of things that many people believe…but that, according to our sources, just aren’t true. Sushi Myth: Sushi is raw fish. Fact: Technically, sushi isn’t fish at all. The name of this Japanese dish refers to the vinegared rice, which often is topped with raw seafood. But […]
Rock bands get their name from all kinds of places—even books. (By the way, “Uncle John” is still available, should any of you aspiring musicians need a moniker.) Veruca Salt This ‘90s alternative rock band (best known for “Seether”) is named after the snotty, spoiled girl who wins one of the Golden Tickets to visit […]
More fun in-jokes and cameos from the silver screen. CHARLIE’S ANGELS (2000) I Spy…E.T.’s living room Where to Find It: Wearing nothing but a plastic blow-up swimming-pool toy, Dylan (Drew Barrymore) bursts into a house where two boys are playing a video game. It’s the same house in Tujunga, California, that was used for E.T. […]
The NHL has announced that it will expand with a team in Las Vegas, which will begin play in 2017. It’s the first time one of the “big 4” team sports leagues will set up shop in Sin City…but it’s not for a lack of trying. Las Vegas Jazz Less than five years after moving […]
Some trivia about the good ol’ red, white, and blue. The federal government has on hand three potential flag designs should there ever be a 51st state. A leading candidate to be state #51: Puerto Rico, and so the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico commissioned one of those designs. Instead of rows of stars, […]
Maybe one of these will fall this year. Most strikeouts in a dome This kind of record obviously favors modern-day pitchers, but Randy Johnson still has an overwhelming lead. He’s retired 2,279 batters in ballparks with roofs, more than the second- and third-place pitchers (Nolan Ryan’s 1,123 and Brad Radke’s 943) combined. Most foul balls […]
Save these classic curses to use against people who refuse to toast you. May the curse of Mary Maline and her nine blind children chase you so far over the hills of Damnation that the Lord himself won’t find you with a telescope. May your daughter’s beauty be admired by everyone in the circus. May […]
Uncle John sure looked rad as he drove his DeLorean to the Wham! concert, wearing his single white glove and brand new Members Only jacket with the collar turned up. SWATCH WATCHES In 1983 Switzerland’s two biggest watchmakers were on the verge of bankruptcy because of competition from cheap Japanese watches. The companies decided to […]
“Mr. Hockey” has passed away at the age of 88. Here are a few stories about one of the greatest hockey players to ever take the ice. Gordie Howe Hat Trick Howe was as frequent a brawler as he was a scorer—he started a lot of fights on the ice. There’s an unofficial hockey accomplishment […]
Game of Thrones is a pop cultural phenomenon. People are so excited about the HBO series based on a series of books by author George R.R. Martin that its influence has crossed over into the real world. 1) In 2015, a warthog at the Detroit Zoo named Lilith gave birth to five piglets. Officials from […]
Baseball is a game built on traditions. It’s been played in virtually the same way for more than a century…except for a handful of changes that made a big impact on the “national pastime.” Big-league pitchers don’t spend a lot of time practicing hitting because they’ve got to focus on their specialty. The vast majority […]
