Post up facts and things that hardly anyone knows...... (for entertainment purposes only. NO need to fact check)

[Detective D]

"It is May 25th."
"It is the 25th of May."

We are in a hurry in the USA. So we skip the extra two words. Try not to be jealous so much.

 

[DeltaV]

May 25, 1961: President John F. Kennedy delivers his speech on the moon landing, committing the nation to landing a man on the moon by the end of the decade.

 

[DeltaV]

Gemma Frisius, Dutch physician, mathematician, and cartographer passed away on May 25, 1555

He knew the earth was NOT flat.

 

[Dipstick]

Horses can't breathe through their mouths.

 

[kiwigtx]

Horses can't breathe through their mouths.

...and seagulls cannot fart.

 

[kiwigtx]

...and seagulls cannot fart.

...sparrows can ....

 

[33 IMP]

More American soldier casualties on the last day of ww1, AFTER an armistice had been arranged, than on D-day in ww2.
Both French and American troops assaulted German positions, between the time of the armistice signing, (5 am, local) and the agreed time of the ceasefire, 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month (of 1918).
At 11:02, they could have WALKED into Germany.
Their commanders should have been hung by the neck until dead.

 

[MarPar]

...sparrows can ....

View attachment 1858740

 

[Unkle Krusty]

My dad was in London on 11 November 1918. He said it went really quiet when the news was announced.
Horses breathe in time with their stride when galloping. At least I think they do.

 

[Kern Dog]

 

[Kern Dog]

In 1921, French inventor Marcel Leyat introduced the groundbreaking Leyat Helix, a car that defied traditional automotive design by replacing the conventional engine with a front propeller. Inspired by his background in aircraft design, Leyat sought to create a lightweight and aerodynamic vehicle that would bypass the complexities of standard drive systems. Powered by an 18-horsepower Harley-Davidson engine, the Helix was capable of reaching impressive speeds of up to 171 km/h by 1927, pushing the boundaries of what was possible at the time.
Despite its innovative design, the Helix presented several major challenges. The exposed front propeller posed significant risks to pedestrians and birds, and the vehicle's reliance on a cable steering system made handling particularly difficult. During turns, the wheels could sometimes lift off the ground, turning driving into an unpredictable and hazardous experience. These flaws ultimately prevented the Helix from becoming a practical mode of transportation.
While the Leyat Helix failed to achieve widespread use, it remains one of the most daring and eccentric automotive innovations in history. Its bold design and unconventional approach to engineering highlight the spirit of experimentation during the early days of motoring, leaving a lasting legacy in the annals of automotive history.

 

[kiwigtx]

In 1921, French inventor Marcel Leyat introduced the groundbreaking Leyat Helix, a car that defied traditional automotive design by replacing the conventional engine with a front propeller. Inspired by his background in aircraft design, Leyat sought to create a lightweight and aerodynamic vehicle that would bypass the complexities of standard drive systems. Powered by an 18-horsepower Harley-Davidson engine, the Helix was capable of reaching impressive speeds of up to 171 km/h by 1927, pushing the boundaries of what was possible at the time.
Despite its innovative design, the Helix presented several major challenges. The exposed front propeller posed significant risks to pedestrians and birds, and the vehicle's reliance on a cable steering system made handling particularly difficult. During turns, the wheels could sometimes lift off the ground, turning driving into an unpredictable and hazardous experience. These flaws ultimately prevented the Helix from becoming a practical mode of transportation.
While the Leyat Helix failed to achieve widespread use, it remains one of the most daring and eccentric automotive innovations in history. Its bold design and unconventional approach to engineering highlight the spirit of experimentation during the early days of motoring, leaving a lasting legacy in the annals of automotive history.

View attachment 1859606

 

[Photon440]

In 1921, French inventor Marcel Leyat introduced the groundbreaking Leyat Helix, a car that defied traditional automotive design by replacing the conventional engine with a front propeller. Inspired by his background in aircraft design, Leyat sought to create a lightweight and aerodynamic vehicle that would bypass the complexities of standard drive systems. Powered by an 18-horsepower Harley-Davidson engine, the Helix was capable of reaching impressive speeds of up to 171 km/h by 1927, pushing the boundaries of what was possible at the time.
Despite its innovative design, the Helix presented several major challenges. The exposed front propeller posed significant risks to pedestrians and birds, and the vehicle's reliance on a cable steering system made handling particularly difficult. During turns, the wheels could sometimes lift off the ground, turning driving into an unpredictable and hazardous experience. These flaws ultimately prevented the Helix from becoming a practical mode of transportation.
While the Leyat Helix failed to achieve widespread use, it remains one of the most daring and eccentric automotive innovations in history. Its bold design and unconventional approach to engineering highlight the spirit of experimentation during the early days of motoring, leaving a lasting legacy in the annals of automotive history.

View attachment 1859606

Perhaps if he had developed the concept with a pusher prop instead of tractor arrangement, he could have reduced pedestrian injury, made it quieter inside, and stopped road debris from being fired into the wind screen. 171 km/h (over 105 mph) out of 18 horsepower is pretty efficient though.

 

[DeltaV]

The planet Mercury has a molten core.

 

[DeltaV]

Napoleon's height was recorded as 5 feet 2 inches in the old French system, which translates to roughly 5 feet 6 inches in the British system. The French foot was larger than the British foot, leading to the misconception that he was shorter than he actually was.

@eldubb440

 

[DeltaV]

 

[Kern Dog]

Napoleon's height was recorded as 5 feet 2 inches in the old French system, which translates to roughly 5 feet 6 inches in the British system. The French foot was larger than the British foot, leading to the misconception that he was shorter than he actually was.

@eldubb440

Hmmm..
I measured myself using a French tape measure so I'm actually longer than I tell people.

 

[6872n73]

The first mass-produced cotton swab was developed in 1923 by Polish-American Jew Leo Gerstenzang after he watched his wife attach wads of cotton to toothpicks to clean their infant's ears.[1][2] His product was originally named "Baby Gays" in recognition of their being intended for infants before being renamed "Q-tips Baby Gays", with the "Q" standing for "quality".[3][4] The product eventually became known as "Q-tips", which went on to become the most widely sold brand name of cotton swabs in North America. The term "Q-tip" is often used as a genericized trademark for a cotton swab in the United States and Canada.[2] The Q-tips brand is owned by Elida Beauty.[5] It was formerly owned by Unilever and had over $200 million in US sales in 2014.[6] "Johnson's buds" are made by Johnson & Johnson.

However, according to the United States Patent Case (C-10,415) Q-Tips, Inc. v. Johnson & Johnson, 108 F. Supp. 845 (D.N.J. 1952),[7] it would appear that the first commercial producer of cotton-tipped applicators was Mrs. Hazel Tietjen Forbis, who manufactured them in her home. She also owned a patent on the article, numbered 1,652,108, dated December 6, 1927, and sold the product under the appellation Baby Nose-Gay.[8] In 1925, Leo Gerstenzang Co., Inc. purchased an assignment of the product patent from Mrs. Forbis. On January 2, 1937, Q-Tips, Inc's president, Mr. Leo Gerstenzang, and his wife Mrs. Ziuta Gerstenzang formed a partnership and purchased from Mrs. Forbis "All merchandise, machinery, and fixtures now contained in the premises 132 W. 36th Street and used by said Q-Tips, Inc., for the manufacture of Q-Tips or medicated swabs together with the accounts receivable of said Q-Tips, Inc." The contract recited that Q-Tips, Inc. was the owner of patents covering the manufacture of applicators.[7]

Originally, when cotton-tipped applicators were made by Mrs. Forbis, they were sold under the name of Baby Nose-Gays.[9] In 1925, after The Leo Gerstenzang Co., Inc. purchased an assignment of the product patent from Mrs. Forbis, the packages of applicators were labelled Baby-Gays. In 1926, the legend was changed to read "Q-Tips Baby Gays", and in 1927 an application was made to register the mark "Q-Tips Baby Gays". Sometime after 1926, the words "Baby Gays" were dropped and the concern began to develop "Q-Tips" as its identifying mark, applying for registration on September 14, 1933.[7] Packages were made up using blue paper with pictures of double-tipped applicators upon them, features which have been the basis for the Q Tips packaged sign since. The design of the crossed applicators was made by dropping them and then photographing the resulting pattern.

 

[GTXDAN]

Orville Redenbacher experimented with tens of thousands of hybrid strains for 19 years in the small northeast IN town of Boone Grove before releasing his now famous popcorn.

 

[33 IMP]

You know those "gold tribute" coins with real gold plating, 14 mg's worth? At $3300/ounce they have....... $1.62 worth of gold on em.
Still, pretty nice for ten bucks. An investment? Not so much.