Buzz
I typically keep lists of facts and myths to myself, but this one, which was recently shared with me, intrigued me so much that I’ve decided to break my rule. Don’t forget to share your favorite factlets with us in the comments!
3. Factlets 1-5
1. The word ‘hello’ wasn’t always the first thing people said when answering the phone. After the first public phone service began in the US in 1878, people used to say 'Ahoy'.
2. The bagpipe originated in Iran before being brought to Scotland by the Romans.
3. In medieval Japan, it was considered stylish for women to have blackened teeth.
4. When Apollo 11 landed, it had only 20 seconds of fuel remaining.
5. As early as AD700, the Chinese used 'the fingerprint technique' for identification.
4. Factlets 16-20
16. Of the 266 men who have been appointed as Pope, 33 have met violent ends.
17. In some Mediterranean regions, olive oil was once used for bathing, though this practice has become much rarer today.
18. Prior to British invasions in the 17th century, India was one of the wealthiest nations in the world.
19. In ancient Egypt, noblewomen were given a few days after death to 'ripen' in order to prevent embalmers from being 'tempted'.
20. George Washington’s dentures were made from cow teeth and hippopotamus ivory, and were connected with metal springs.
1. Factlets 11-15
11. In ancient Rome, people with crooked noses were seen as having strong leadership potential.
12. In 1915, William Wrigley Jr. mailed chewing gum to everyone listed in the phone book.
13. In 18th century Britain, it was possible to purchase insurance to protect you from going to hell.
14. The youngest recorded parents in history were aged eight and nine, living in China in 1910.
15. In 17th century England, women had an average of 13 children.
2. Factlets 6-10
6. Charles Dickens made as much money from his lectures as he did from his twenty novels.
7. Once the Mayflower was no longer in use, it was dismantled and repurposed as a barn (shown above).
8. In 18th century English gambling dens, a person was hired specifically to swallow the dice if the police ever raided the place.
9. Many sailors wore gold rings that were often used to pay for a proper burial once they passed away.
10. In 1930, a model named Grace Robin became the first person to showcase contact lenses.
