# 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:** 392
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2023, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7831 "2023-10-23T13:00:31Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > So does gold become transparent to the human eye when it becomes extremely thin? For example, if someone coated a piece of glass with a layer of gold that was 10 atoms thick, would I be able to see it? Light goes through gold films even much thicker than 100 atoms. Light passing through gold leaf made by traditional means looks green because of absorption of long wavelengths. Silver does the same thing, turning sunlight blue. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2023, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7832 "2023-10-24T01:31:23Z")
Holy convection cells, Batman! ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2023, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7833 "2023-10-24T02:29:27Z")
> [@Mark\_Finn](#): > > 2500 ounces of gold are contained in the 14,000 windows of Toronto’s Royal Bank Plaza wow! … thats 2500 x 1600 = $4.000.000 just in gold on the windows … ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2023, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7834 "2023-10-24T02:41:46Z")
They probably got a discount by buying in bulk. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2023, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7835 "2023-10-24T02:45:01Z")
that is not how commodity markets are working 😉 ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2023, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7836 "2023-10-24T02:48:46Z")
Okay, I had another thought: they didn’t buy the gold, they used bullion already in their vaults. It’s even safer from theft on the windows than it was in the vaults. And they saved $4 million on the cost of the building. Win-win! In any case, it’s a great looking building. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2023, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7837 "2023-10-24T02:55:56Z")
I’d like to withdraw my savings. Here are 2 1/2 panes, sir. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2023, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7838 "2023-10-24T14:52:19Z")
Well, it does make their accounting more transparent. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2023, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7839 "2023-10-24T15:10:47Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > Okay, I had another thought: they didn’t buy the gold, they used bullion already in their vaults. **It’s even safer from theft on the windows than it was in the vaults.** Maybe better for Factual Questions, but: The bolded made me curious – Is it relatively trivial to reclaim that window-pane gold? I imagine that it’s technologically _possible_, but would it be more trouble and expense than it’s worth? ---
**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:** [October 24, 2023, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7840 "2023-10-24T15:28:55Z")
I’m no expert but I imagine it would be similar to the processes used to strip gold out of used electronics. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2023, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7841 "2023-10-24T15:30:56Z")
I suspect even easier as glass does not dissolve under aqua regia. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2023, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7842 "2023-10-24T23:29:33Z")
A quick search shows that New Zealand has been mentioned several times, but none with this nugget that came across my FB feed. There are no signs of human habitation prior to 1314. [Wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_New_Zealand) Pretty impressive for an island about the same shape and size as California. ---
**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:** [October 25, 2023, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7843 "2023-10-25T00:56:55Z")
Location, location, location. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7844 "2023-10-25T01:53:27Z")
Three recent things learned while browsing (à la those columns Irv Kupcinet would submit in the Chicago Sun-Times “Things I Learned while Looking Up Other Things” when he was out of ideas for a column at deadline), coincidentally all “who rented/sold to whom.” The Kaiser’s last home after exile to Doorn Netherlands was purchased from Audrey Hepburn’s mother (everyone besides me already knew this). John and Yoko’s apartment in the Dakota had originally been a sublet from actor Robert Ryan. Some of us may regret that Robert Ryan has been forgotten. Believe it or not, by that same dynamic, John Lennon will also eventually fade from the public consciousness. The chapel whose construction was the main plot point of the Sidney Poitier film “Lillies of the Field” was located on ranch land owned by Linda Ronstadt’s father. It was taken down after filming. Not real estate-related, seeing golfer Lee Travino on MeTV ads for an arthritis clinic chain, I discovered that his career received an early boost from golf enthusiast and legendary gambler “Titanic Thompson.” Thompson was rumored, with strong support, to have had Arnold Rothstein assassinated. Rothstein was rumored, with strong support, to have “fixed” the 1919 World Series. ---
**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:** [October 25, 2023, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7845 "2023-10-25T02:07:54Z")
I learned the other day that Bruce Lee had the sweat glands in his armpits removed. I didn’t even know that was possible! ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7846 "2023-10-25T04:57:51Z")
I believe those columns were written by Sydney J. Harris. As an impressionable teenager reading his stuff (why?) I referred to him as Pompous J. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7847 "2023-10-25T12:34:49Z")
Today I learned that four-legged chickens happen: > **[Four-legged hen finds a new home after it was 'bullied' by other birds](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11935995/Rare-four-legged-chicken-North-Queensland-finds-new-home-bullied-hens.html)** > > A chicken on a Kairi hobby farm in North Queensland drew ire from her feathered cohorts who relentlessly pecked at her spine causing it to risk infection - so her owner sought to rehome her. > **[Villagers flock to see chick born with four legs discovered in India](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/villagers-flock-see-baby-chicken-11972408)** > > The two-month-old chick was born with polymelia which means that it developed two extra legs in the egg - and is in demand but its owner is refusing to sell it Polymelia (supernumerary limbs) happens in other animals too, including people. Frank Lentini, who appeared on the back cover of Alice In Chains’ 1995 album, had three legs…and two sets of genitals: > **[Frank Lentini](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Lentini)** > > Francesco "Frank" Lentini (May 18, 1889 − September 21, 1966) was an Italian-American sideshow performer who toured with numerous circuses. Born with a conjoined twin, Lentini had three legs. > Lentini was born at 8 Gintoli Street, Rosolini, Sicily, on May 18, 1889. Delivered by midwife Maria Alberino, he was the fifth of 12 children (seven sisters and five brothers) in his family. Disgraced initially, his parents gave him into the care of the wife of his uncle Corrido Falco. At four months old he... ---
**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:** [October 25, 2023, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7848 "2023-10-25T13:14:35Z")
That’s not the first strange thing to come out of Kairi. > **[Queensland farmers crack open giant egg to find another normal-sized egg inside](https://www.kidsnews.com.au/just-for-fun/queensland-farmers-crack-open-giant-egg-to-find-another-normalsized-egg-inside/news-story/334806d373154d8969bcca7890c7617e)** > > READING LEVEL: GREEN ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7849 "2023-10-25T16:38:03Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > Well, it does make their accounting more transparent. Ouch! The pane! ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7850 "2023-10-26T02:23:31Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Today I learned that four-legged chickens happen: > > [Rare four-legged chicken in North Queensland finds a new home after it was 'bullied' by other hens | Daily Mail Online](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11935995/Rare-four-legged-chicken-North-Queensland-finds-new-home-bullied-hens.html) [https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/villagers-flock-see-baby-chicken-11972408](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/villagers-flock-see-baby-chicken-11972408) If it comes to an ass-kicking contest, I know who my money is on. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=391) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=393)