# 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:** 212
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4229 "2022-04-19T23:43:21Z")
Between 1940 and 1943 Germany and the USSR doubled their war production. Britain tripled and Japan quadrupled their war production. During that same span the USA multiplied its war production by 25 times! ---
**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:** [April 20, 2022, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4230 "2022-04-20T00:08:58Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Laden, or unladen? Oh, good point. I forgot about that. > [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > 2 lb x 16 oz/lb, the unit lb falls out (one’s in the numberator, another’s in the denominator) and you have 32 oz. 16 oz and a lb ar the same amount, so it’s like multiplying by one. I don’t understand the point you’re trying to make. You’re multiplying 16 oz by 2. There’s no one in there. ---
**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:** [April 20, 2022, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4231 "2022-04-20T00:49:10Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > I don’t understand the point you’re trying to make. You’re multiplying 16 oz by 2. There’s no one in there. A number divided by itself like a/a is one, where a =/= 0. 16 oz and 1 lb are two ways of expressing the same thing, so as a fraction, they’re 1. Multiplying by 1, the product isn’t increased or decreased but it’s expressed differently. In the cited example, lbs are converted to oz. Notice the unit “lb” shows up in the numerator, then the denominator, cancelling out and leaving oz as the unit. That is more obvious if you don’t use a slash to indicate a fraction, but a horizontal line. ---
**Author:** ![billy-jack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@billy-jack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billy-jack)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2022, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4232 "2022-04-20T01:41:38Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > My high school chemistry teacher turned us on to the beauty of multiplying by 1. Like if you have 2 lbs of hamburger… > > 2 lb x 16 oz/lb, the unit lb falls out (one’s in the numberator, another’s in the denominator) and you have 32 oz. 16 oz and a lb ar the same amount, so it’s like multiplying by one. > > So if gas costs 1.77 euros per liter, how many dollars is that per gallon? > 1.77 euro/liter x dollar/0.93 euro x 3.785 liter/gallon=$7.20/gallon. A few years ago, the local high school math teacher asked if I would like to give a talk to her advanced math classes some day. I said “sure, just let me know when”, but she never let me know when. This is one thing that might be perfect for such a talk. It is of immense use in many physics courses to make sure that you aren’t forgetting a conversion. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2022, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4233 "2022-04-20T02:19:58Z")
> [@billy-jack](#): > > It is of immense use in many physics courses to make sure that you aren’t forgetting a conversion. I’d go as far to say that comfort in using and checking units is an essential scientific and engineering skill. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2022, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4234 "2022-04-20T02:23:28Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > I’d go as far to say that comfort in using and checking units is an essential scientific and engineering skill. “Wait… am I supposed to give the patient a quarter of a CC or four CC’s?” ---
**Author:** ![billy-jack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@billy-jack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billy-jack)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2022, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4235 "2022-04-20T04:09:18Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > So ‘Dracula’, was translated into Icelandic in the late 1800’s. It took a full hundred years before anyone discovered that the translator had just written his own kind of fanfic. Added new characters and entirely changed the story! Will we see the Icelandic version translated into English? ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2022, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4236 "2022-04-20T14:44:44Z")
Yes, according to Wiki’s article on it > **[Powers of Darkness (Iceland)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powers_of_Darkness_(Iceland))** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > Powers of Darkness (Icelandic Makt Myrkranna) is a 1901 Icelandic book by Valdimar Ásmundsson that claims to be a translation of Dracula, by Bram Stoker. It was based upon an earlier adaptation of Dracula, the Swedish adaptation by "A—e". > It differs significantly from Dracula as published in English and is almost certainly a translation of an early draft of Stoker's novel. > Between January 1900 – March 1901, Dracula was serialized in the Reykja... ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2022, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4237 "2022-04-20T18:25:30Z")
The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 and torn down in 1989. Which means it has now been demolished for a longer period than it existed. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2022, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4238 "2022-04-20T18:30:19Z")
There’s a guy in Pennsylvania who has his own private deer herd. > **[TikTok loves Berks man’s pet deer in costumes](https://www.pottsmerc.com/2021/12/27/tiktok-berks-pet-deer/?fr=operanews)** > > Tristan Kochel was surprised by the response he got when he posted video of his pet deer on TikTok. > Kochel lives on about 4.5 acres with his parents and siblings. The deer live in a fenced in area. They eat clover, grass and a special food mix he buys from a mill. They also like bananas, apples, melons and other fruits and nuts. > > “A lot of people don’t understand about keeping deer,” Kochel said. “It’s not a bad life for them. They’re safe. They’re not getting hunted. They’re pets just like any other pets.” > > The Department of Agriculture checks on the deer annually, inspecting to see that he has not added deer to or released deer from his herd without approval. He has a couple of different permits for them. ---
**Author:** ![merrick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58956e/32.png) [@merrick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/merrick)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2022, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4239 "2022-04-20T18:41:59Z")
A few more on the same theme: - If Marty McFly went back in time today, he’d arrive in 1992 - after the fall of the Soviet Union. - More time has passed since the end of the Reagan Administration than passed between the Reagan and Truman Administrations. - The Falklands War of 1982 is closer to WW2 than it is to the present day. - The “Oil Shock” of 1973 (which has been in the news recently) is closer to the Great Depression than to the present day. - The Tet Offensive is closer to World War _One_ than to the present day. ---
**Author:** ![Chez\_Guevara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2022, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4240 "2022-04-20T22:23:58Z")
Many of you will have read of this but not me until recently. Dean Martin held numerous parties but liked to go to bed early. He would call the police from his bedroom to complain about the noise coming from downstairs in his own house. The law would arrive and clear the property leaving Martin to get some peace and quiet. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4241 "2022-04-21T00:52:56Z")
You’re making me feel old 🙂 ! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4242 "2022-04-21T03:14:15Z")
> [@merrick](#): > > A few more on the same theme: > > - If Marty McFly went back in time today, he’d arrive in 1992 - after the fall of the Soviet Union. > - More time has passed since the end of the Reagan Administration than passed between the Reagan and Truman Administrations. > - The Falklands War of 1982 is closer to WW2 than it is to the present day. > - The “Oil Shock” of 1973 (which has been in the news recently) is closer to the Great Depression than to the present day. > - The Tet Offensive is closer to World War _One_ than to the present day. Kurt Cobain has been dead longer than he was alive. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2022, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4243 "2022-04-22T13:10:56Z")
Perfect squares around triangular number 91: T\_13 + T\_12 = 169 T\_13 + T\_14 = 196 ---
**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:** [April 23, 2022, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4244 "2022-04-23T01:24:09Z")
Today I learned about an artform called [fractal burning](https://www.google.com/search?q=dangers%20of%20high%20voltage%20fractal%20burning&sxsrf=APq-WBuDm48sUX98FHvjpfuknYGxRjO3ug%3A1650676597717&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjIw_vBgan3AhWqoHIEHTKiAl0Q_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1070&bih=505&dpr=1.25&fbclid=IwAR1P1BRWEk9MfcL7CsIk39jyTHlOSZc7EL_lKmHQso2fbvZMMPFec6tBXgQ). It’s a wood burning technique. It’s dangerous; a number of people have been [electrocuted](https://www.wsaz.com/2022/04/22/couple-electrocuted-death-while-fractal-burning-authorities-say/) doing it. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2022, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4245 "2022-04-23T02:06:32Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Today I learned about an artform called fractal burning It’s a wood burning technique. It’s dangerous; a number of people have been electrocuted doing it. And a number of people have produced it by _being_ electrocuted: > **[People hit by lightning reveal their scars which look like fern leaves](https://metro.co.uk/2018/08/13/people-hit-by-lightning-reveal-their-scars-which-look-like-fern-leaves-7833014/)** > > The electrical volts can leave incredible branching patterns on people's skin. ---
**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:** [April 24, 2022, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4246 "2022-04-24T12:35:42Z")
I read today that the color brown is essentially dark orange, and that’s why it is not on the color spectrum. Is that true? ---
**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:** [April 24, 2022, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4247 "2022-04-24T12:46:46Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > I read today that the color brown is essentially dark orange, and that’s why it is not on the color spectrum. Is that true? This article says blue + orange made brown. > **[What Color Does Blue And Orange Make Color Combination Facts | Kidadl](https://kidadl.com/facts/what-color-does-blue-and-orange-make-color-combination-facts)** > > Combining colors that complement each other is fun. So, what color does blue and orange make? Read on to find out! “In the news, today, in the South Pacific, a ship carrying red paint collided with a ship carrying purple paint. Both crews were marooned.” ~The Two Ronnies. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4248 "2022-04-24T12:47:04Z")
Yep. [Here’s a video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh4aWZRtTwU) on it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=211) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=213)