# Favorite random facts **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 26, 2001, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-random-facts/63450 "2001-04-26T23:02:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Studi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Studi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Studi)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2001, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-random-facts/63450/81 "2001-05-01T22:25:41Z")
I admit that my source isn’t the greatest, but I don’t doubt it. Nikola Tesla invented: - the radio (not Marconi) - the vacuum tube amplifier (not de Forest) - the fluorescent bulb - neon lights - the speedometer - the automobile ignition system Tesla discovered: - X-rays (not Roentgen) - basic information about radar, the microwave oven, and the electron microscope Studi ---
**Author:** ![headchecked](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/258eb7/32.png) [@headchecked](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/headchecked)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2001, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-random-facts/63450/82 "2001-05-02T22:25:03Z")
Just read that cricket players in Europe are 70 percent more likely to commit suicide than those of the general population. This due to stress caused by the long games (some take several days) and the small stadiums they play in. (And yes, I know this is America.) ---
**Author:** ![rayniday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecc23a/32.png) [@rayniday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayniday)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2001, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-random-facts/63450/83 "2001-05-03T01:58:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Greg Charles \* > > \*\*As long as we’re on mythology, here’s the pantheon of Greek gods: > > Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Apollo, Athena, Artemis, Hermes, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Ares, Hestia. > > \ > > The Roman equivalents: > > Jupiter, Poseidon, Pluto, Juno, Apollo, Minerva, Diana, Mercury, Venus, Vulcan, Mars, Vesta. > \*\* Uh, the Roman equivalent of the Greek Poseidon is **Neptune**. My contributions: In _The Empire Strikes Back_, Cliff Claven (is that his name???) from Cheers is at the rebel base at Hoth. Lemming mass suicides are myths. While Abe Lincoln was the tallest prez, James Madison was shortest. Will think of more later… ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2001, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-random-facts/63450/84 "2001-05-03T02:24:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rayniday \* > **My contributions: > In _The Empire Strikes Back_, Cliff Claven (is that his name???) from Cheers is at the rebel base at Hoth.** Close enough. His real name is John Ratzenberger. He used to live in England and appeared in a few films that needed actors with an authentic American accent. He also appeared in _A Bridge Too Far, Superman_, and _Superman 2_, among other movies made in Europe and Asia. ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2001, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-random-facts/63450/85 "2001-05-03T23:48:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gadgetgirl \* > \*\*“Moby” (the music artist and all around cool guy) got his nick name because his uncle was Herman Melville. \*\* I admit I know almost nothing about Moby the singer, but I find this very hard to believe. I mean, Herman Melville died in 1891. Or am I not getting a joke? ---
**Author:** ![Evnglion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f04885/32.png) [@Evnglion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evnglion)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2001, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-random-facts/63450/86 "2001-05-04T13:04:20Z")
Man o Man am I getting off topic, but I cannot rest until I have corrected this… > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Greg Charles \* > \*\*As long as we’re on mythology, here’s the pantheon of Greek gods: > > Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Apollo, Athena, Artemis, Hermes, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Ares, Hestia. > > The Roman equivalents: > > Jupiter, Poseidon, Pluto, Juno, Apollo, Minerva, Diana, Mercury, Venus, Vulcan, Mars, Vesta. > \*\* Actually Greg, the Roman equivalent to Poseidon is Neptune… Man, I feel like an ass for doing that :o, anyway… interesting fact??? how about the fact that most of dust (somewhere around 70%) is nothing more than human skin. ---
**Author:** ![Evnglion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f04885/32.png) [@Evnglion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evnglion)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2001, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-random-facts/63450/87 "2001-05-04T13:08:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rayniday \* > \*\*Uh, the Roman equivalent of the Greek Poseidon is **Neptune**. damnit Evnglion, now I **really** feel like an ass for doing that. ARGH!!! :o [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-random-facts/63450.md?page=4)