The Codex Gigas is otherwise known as the Devil’s Bible – but why? “The Codex Gigas (“Giant Book”; Czech: Obří kniha) is the largest extant medieval illuminated manuscript in the world, at a length of 92 cm (36 in). Very large illuminated bibles were a typical feature of Romanesque monastic […]
With the Space Shuttle fleet temporarily grounded after the Challenger Disaster, this production plant was left with two years worth of excess ammonium perchlorate – which is unstable and highly flammable. Watch what happens when the plant catches fire. “On May 4, 1988, a fire followed by several explosions occurred […]
The eyes are always watching – but why? “The cat’s eye design originated in the UK in 1934 and is today used all over the world. The original form consisted of two pairs of retroreflectors set into a white rubber dome, mounted in a cast iron housing. This is the […]
Watch this court’s reaction to the judge challenging the attorney to a physical fight, before the two get into it! “The Speedy Trial Clause of the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that “[i]n all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public […]
Of all the things the US Government could be stockpiling in underground caves, cheese seems the least likely – but they’ve got over a billion pounds of the stuff! “Government cheese is processed cheese provided to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security in the United […]
Fanta can trace its origins back to dark times in world history – although they’ve inexplicably referred to these as “the good old times” in recent years, prompting backlash. “Fanta is an American-owned German brand of fruit-flavored carbonated soft drinks created by Coca-Cola Deutschland under the leadership of German businessman […]
Occurring in 2018, this spectacular (and deadly) incident was caught on camera. “Ponte Morandi (English: Morandi Bridge), officially Viadotto Polcevera (English: Polcevera Viaduct), was a road viaduct in Genoa, Liguria, Italy, constructed between 1963 and 1967 along the A10 motorway over the Polcevera River, from which it derived its official […]
It’s the worst single-aircraft accident in aviation history – and there’s a picture from a passenger’s point of view. “Japan Air Lines Flight 123 (JAL123) was a scheduled domestic Japan Air Lines passenger flight from Haneda Airport in Tokyo to Itami International Airport in Osaka. On August 12, 1985, the […]
The Zambian space program is worth a look for a few laughs – but does it hide a darker secret? “From 1960 until sometime after 1969, Nkoloso’s “space program” sought to accomplish the launching of a rocket that would send 17-year-old Matha Mwambwa and two cats to the Moon. There […]
The V-sign has led many unfortunate US representatives to accidentally make an obscene gesture in different parts of the world – so what makes it unique to these countries? “The V sign is a hand gesture in which the index and middle fingers are raised and parted to make a […]
