# Tell us an interesting random fact you stumbled across (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 13, 2020, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674 "2020-04-13T03:19:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 121
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2406 "2021-07-30T18:35:30Z")
As of 2015, anyway…amazingly detailed! [https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/smallest-sculptures-ever-made/](https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/smallest-sculptures-ever-made/) ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2021, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2407 "2021-07-31T18:46:41Z")
Proximity fuses were one of the most important weapons of WWII, but many don’t know how important they were to the war effort, and even less (like me) didn’t know about the incredible feat of technology that was needed to create miniature and rugged vacuum tubes (no transistors then!) that allowed the allies to add radar based detonators into artillery launched projectiles. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/N0SgC78YFPc/maxresdefault.jpg "Proximity Fuze – The 3rd Most Crucial Development of WW2") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0SgC78YFPc) The Germans and the Japanese actually thought that it would be extremely hard or impossible to make them in enough quantities and to make them reliable too. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2021, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2408 "2021-07-31T23:35:41Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > rugged vacuum tubes (no transistors then!) that allowed the allies to add radar based detonators into artillery launched projectiles. Even putting explosives in an artillery projectiles was technically difficult. Explosive shells had been around for a long time, but they were filled with black powder, the fuse was lit, and they went off like fire crackers. Early efforts at long-range high-explosive shells (dynamite) use compressed air in order to get a gentle acceleration that didn’t detonate the shell. At the start of WWI, HE (High Explosive) artillery was still a new thing. Military explosives like TNT were developed, which are difficult to detonate (don’t go off when fired), and cordite (used to fire the shell) is a relatively slow, gentle explosive. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2409 "2021-08-04T12:12:30Z")
The Olympic steeplechase water jump pits are 24 in/70 cm deep nearest the hurdle, They gradually get shallower until 12 ft/3.66 m from the hurdle. Since the hurdle doesn’t move, one strategy is to jump to the top of the hurdle, and try to jump over the water. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2410 "2021-08-04T18:16:08Z")
The Reflecting Pool on the Mall in Washington has a depth of approximately 18 inches on the sides and 30 inches in the center, holding approximately 6,750,000 U.S. gallons of water. ---
**Author:** ![JohnnyEcks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnnyecks/32/18197_2.png) [@JohnnyEcks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnnyEcks)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2411 "2021-08-05T17:30:54Z")
In 1967, a Cuban exile purchased an army surplus bazooka for $38 and fired it at the UN building during a visit by Che Guevara. Luckily, it didn’t have enough range and the shell exploded in the river. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2412 "2021-08-05T22:07:50Z")
I’m watching “Burn Notice” and Michael was doing the usual Magiver thing. He said that the porcelain on spark plugs is almost as hard as diamonds. I had to fact check. 9.0 MOHS? > **[Materials Science Toolkit | Reade](https://reade.com/tools/materials-science-toolkit/)** > > Measurement and conversion charts guide you in selecting the best products for your applications. This material science toolkit will enable you to conduct research with precision. Useful to car thieves… > In [California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California), since 2003, ninja rocks are explicitly listed as [burglary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burglary) tools, and their possession with intent to burglarize is a [misdemeanor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misdemeanor) punishable by up to six months in [county jail](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_jail) and/or a [fine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fine_(penalty)) of up to $1000. Legal records do not use the phrase “ninja rocks”, preferring more precise phrases such as “[ceramic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceramic) or porcelain spark plug chips or pieces” [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninja_rocks) ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2413 "2021-08-05T23:51:06Z")
Ninja rocks demo. Impressive! (shuttle to 2:45 if the link doesn’t take you there) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ClrhyrjfOtA/maxresdefault.jpg "Ninja Rocks Demonstration") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClrhyrjfOtA) ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2414 "2021-08-06T01:40:31Z")
Volcanoes can turn human brains into glass. [https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmc1909867](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmc1909867) ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2415 "2021-08-06T02:54:24Z")
That would be a cool conversation piece to have on the shelf… ---
**Author:** ![PozhanPop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pozhanpop/32/8022_2.png) [@PozhanPop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PozhanPop)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2416 "2021-08-06T14:20:28Z")
The invasive fish called Anabas or climbing perch can crawl on land from one body of water to another and live out of water for approximately 6 hours. The climbing perch grow up to 9.8 inches and breathe on land through lungs that are next to their gills. They are known to hibernate in the mud of dried-up creek beds for up to six months. Native to South Asia, they are now a considered a looming threat in Australia where they have already made their presence known in the outer islands. Very tasty fish. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2417 "2021-08-06T23:13:04Z")
They are a threat in the U.S. too. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2418 "2021-08-07T01:15:37Z")
The world record time for the backwards 100 yards was held for many years by Bojangles, aka Shirley Temple’s frequent co-star Bill Robinson. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2419 "2021-08-07T03:40:06Z")
Joseph Stalin cobbled his own shoes. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2420 "2021-08-07T03:55:37Z")
Pistachios can spontaneously explode. They are incredibly difficult to ship safely. > **[When pistachio nuts explode](https://gizmodo.com/when-pistachio-nuts-explode-5733837)** > > Laptops and humans aren't the only things that can spontaneously combust. Pistachios are so likely to burst into flames that there are strict shipping codes to keep them from doing so. ---
**Author:** ![PozhanPop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pozhanpop/32/8022_2.png) [@PozhanPop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PozhanPop)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2421 "2021-08-07T12:11:56Z")
Wow ! Nature’s own lithium batteries . I know that polymer beads are also super dangerous to transport. ---
**Author:** ![PozhanPop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pozhanpop/32/8022_2.png) [@PozhanPop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PozhanPop)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2021, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2422 "2021-08-07T13:20:25Z")
Wasn’t his dad a cobbler ? Stalin was super conscious of his height (5 feet 4 inches according to books ) and made sure he was always photographed at the right angle to make him look imposing. He loved american cowboy movies and often had private screenings in his dacha. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2021, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2423 "2021-08-08T12:10:58Z")
Participants in the Modern Pentathlon in the Olympics, are assigned horses randomly. A rider has 20 minutes to become acquainted with their assigned horse. Participants in the other equestrian events bring their own horses. ---
**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:** [August 8, 2021, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2424 "2021-08-08T15:31:26Z")
Today I learned about [Buffon’s needle problem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffon%27s_needle_problem). Using this problem, you can calculate **π** by [throwing frozen hotdogs onto the floor](https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Pi-by-Throwing-Frozen-Hot-Dogs). ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2021, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/2425 "2021-08-08T16:49:04Z")
Kim Ill Sung, the founder of North Korea, and the grandfather of the current dictator, had a large growth in his neck. He was carefully photographed to hide it, but it was quite large and unmistakable. (Similarly, JP Morgan, famous financier, had a large, bulbous, purple nose. He had it touched up in pictures, but it was distinct and glaringly obvious when encountering him). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=120) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=122)