# Known unknowns: how many legitimate outstanding secrets/mysteries are there, really? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 6, 2007, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085 "2007-02-06T16:23:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085/21 "2007-02-07T00:00:35Z")
[QUOTE=Shagnasty] The Steelers went on to win the Super Bowl that year and became a football dynasty because of that play. Does that make more sense? [/QUOTE] The Dolphins beat the Steelers in the AFC Championship that year ('72) and went on to win the Super Bowl, capping their undefeated season. [/nitpick] ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085/22 "2007-02-07T00:02:06Z")
[D.B. Cooper?](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DB_Cooper) ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085/23 "2007-02-07T00:06:26Z")
[QUOTE=An Arky] The Dolphins beat the Steelers in the AFC Championship that year ('72) and went on to win the Super Bowl, capping their undefeated season. [/nitpick] [/QUOTE] Oops. Well it was still pretty cool (would have been better with my version though). ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085/24 "2007-02-07T00:11:17Z")
What caused the [Permian-Triassic Extinction Event](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permian-Triassic_extinction_event). ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085/25 "2007-02-07T00:55:05Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] Can someone explain why this is a big deal? This sort of catch/run/try (touchdown) happens reasonably regularly in rugby. Is there something about American Football that makes this an unlikely occurrence - or was it within seconds of the end of the game and the touchdown won it or something? [/QUOTE] It did decide the game (6 seconds left), and it hinged on a peculiar quirk of the rules at the time where a ball deflected to an offensive player had to have touched a defensive player last. After careful viewing of various videos and still photos I am now convinced that the ball hit Tatum (Oakland defensive back). The only possible remaining issue is whether it brushed Fuqua’s (Steeler running back) hands on the way back to Franco (other RB). I suspect Fuqua knows whether the ball did just that but he ain’t telling. I am (was) a big Raider fan but I’m not afraid to face facts. ---
**Author:** ![DJ\_Motorbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90ced4/32.png) [@DJ\_Motorbike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DJ_Motorbike)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085/26 "2007-02-07T01:55:55Z")
What has J.D. Salinger written in all this time? ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085/27 "2007-02-07T02:06:13Z")
[QUOTE=A.R. Cane] How _did_ they build the pyramids? How did they erect those ancient obelisks? [/QUOTE] Dave Lister: They had massive whips, Rimmer. Massive, massive whips! -Joe ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085/28 "2007-02-07T02:39:10Z")
What, exactly, did happen to [Ambrose Bierce](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambrose_Bierce)? What happened to the [USS Cyclops](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Cyclops_%28AC-4%29)? (Personally, what I’d read was that the ship was a floating disaster area prior to the disappearance, so one good storm, and…) Continuing with the Bermuda Triangle theme I’ve fallen into: What about [Flight 19](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_19)? I’d love to have a way to prove that it was the idiocy of the commissioned officer that killed those men, because he wouldn’t listen to the enlisted ATCs telling him he was nuts in thinking that he was near the Keys. I’d love to know what’s under the ice on Europa, too. ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085/29 "2007-02-07T02:41:46Z")
[QUOTE=Merijeek] Dave Lister: They had massive whips, Rimmer. Massive, massive whips! -Joe [/QUOTE] Now see, I heard that they had huge juicy carrots. So there ya’ go, the mystery persists. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085/30 "2007-02-07T02:44:51Z")
Oh, yeah - and some proof of what happened aboard the [Marie Celeste](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Celeste), too. (This is not to imply disagreement with the ‘leading theory’ listed in the Wiki article - just that I’m sick of hearing all the tin-foil hatters going on about it.) ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d78d45/32.png) [@Civil\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085/31 "2007-02-07T02:45:45Z")
Um, er… what is this stuff called dark matter (dark energy too, I suppose)? I mean, it does make up a rather sizeable amount of that which _is_… by several accounts… ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085/32 "2007-02-07T02:56:37Z")
The speculation on the Kennedy assasination is so convoluted that if the absulute truth was documented the majority of the people would not believe it. Some things take on a life of their own and therefore, by their nature, become indeciferable. So, to bring this all up to 21st century standards, why isn’t Windows source code available to everyone? ---
**Author:** ![PastAllReason](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f07891/32.png) [@PastAllReason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastAllReason)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085/33 "2007-02-07T02:57:01Z")
How [Damascus steel](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus_steel) was made. ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085/34 "2007-02-07T04:08:36Z")
Who stole my ski jacket in 7th grade? ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085/35 "2007-02-07T04:13:34Z")
[QUOTE=A.R. Cane] Whatever happened to Judge Crater? [/QUOTE] That’s my favorite mystery. Also, what happened to the lost colony of [Roanoke](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roanoke_Island) ? And the [Mary Celeste](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Celeste)? ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085/36 "2007-02-07T04:37:57Z")
The Oak Island mystery. Seriously, what the hell? ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085/37 "2007-02-07T04:48:50Z")
[QUOTE=Spartydog] So, to bring this all up to 21st century standards, why isn’t Windows source code available to everyone? [/QUOTE] That’s an easy one. The same reason most software source isn’t available – because the owner of the source code wants to control distribution of the program. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085/38 "2007-02-07T04:53:38Z")
[QUOTE=A.R. Cane] Whatever happened to Judge Crater? ? [/QUOTE] [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9006026/](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9006026/) ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085/39 "2007-02-07T05:11:02Z")
[QUOTE=Argent Towers] The Oak Island mystery. Seriously, what the hell? [/QUOTE] Is that the island with the tunnels that fill up with water. ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085/40 "2007-02-07T05:17:28Z")
[QUOTE=Enola Straight] [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9006026/](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9006026/) [/QUOTE] Thanks, I wasn’t aware of that. Now where’s the followup? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/known-unknowns-how-many-legitimate-outstanding-secrets-mysteries-are-there-really/391085.md?page=3)