In 1956, an expedition to the South Pole found a tin of Edam cheese left behind by Robert Scott’s party 44 years earlier.
It was still edible.
Trivia
Lincoln’s Pockets
Contents of Lincoln’s pockets on the night of his assassination:
- Two pairs of glasses
- Lens polisher
- Watch fob
- Penknife
- Newspaper clippings
- Handkerchief
… and a Confederate five-dollar bill.
Hand Over Foot
Fingernails grow up to four times faster than toenails.
Clinton and E-Mail
Bill Clinton sent only two e-mails during his entire eight-year term in office. One was to test the system; the other was to congratulate John Glenn on his return to space.
Both are archived in Clinton’s presidential library.
Formal Thai
Bangkok’s full name is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.
It means “the city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous royal palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarn.”
Call Housekeeping
In a 70-year lifetime, the average person sheds 44 pounds of skin.
Keeping Up Appearances
Every seven years, the Eiffel Tower is repainted with 5.5 tons of paint.
Resting Up
Koalas sleep up to 22 hours a day.
Golden Numbers
All the gold ever mined would make a cube 66 feet on a side.
Twice Around Noah’s Ark
A race among all the world’s creatures would show some surprising results. Top speeds:
- Tortoise: 0.23 mph
- Sea trout: 15 mph
- Dragonfly: 18 mph
- Human sprinter: 22 mph
- African elephant: 25 mph
- Cat: 30 mph
- Racehorse: 43 mph
- Ostrich: 45 mph
- Bluefin tuna: 46 mph
- Racing pigeon: 53 mph
- Pronghorn: 55 mph
- Cheetah: 62 mph
- Mallard: 65 mph
- Sailfish: 68 mph
The winner would be the peregrine falcon, which has been clocked in level flight at 217 mph.