# 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:** 431
**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:** [January 11, 2024, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8611 "2024-01-11T18:20:21Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > I think what is shown in the photo is a berm supporting the belt, plus dust being blown off the top, rather than the belt itself. So, it’s a bit of an exaggeration to say the belt can be seen from space. Hell, the only way to see the belt itself with [Google’s satellite view](https://www.google.com/maps/place/El+Marsa/@26.730735,-13.0814336,70851m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0xc3764c5754c164f:0x32a8e23a9ef08903!8m2!3d27.0599878!4d-13.4222797!16s%2Fm%2F05zwt92?entry=ttu) is to zoom in really tight. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8612 "2024-01-11T18:20:46Z")
Great. Now I’m afraid I’ll see that word again someday. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8613 "2024-01-11T18:32:02Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Hell, the only way to see the belt itself with [Google’s satellite view](https://www.google.com/maps/place/El+Marsa/@26.730735,-13.0814336,70851m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0xc3764c5754c164f:0x32a8e23a9ef08903!8m2!3d27.0599878!4d-13.4222797!16s%2Fm%2F05zwt92?entry=ttu) is to zoom in really tight [Atlas Obscura has some photos](https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-worlds-longest-conveyor-belt-system-bou-craa-morocco). The belt itself isn’t visible as it runs under the flat cover thing you see in the photos. [And as always, YouTube to the rescue](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67FzgaSWDDw). (4:35 if it isn’t cued up to the proper spot already.) The belt is clear in the video but doesn’t appear to be in operation at the time the video was filmed. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8614 "2024-01-11T22:05:35Z")
> [@Lancia](#): > > [And as always, YouTube to the rescue](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67FzgaSWDDw). (4:35 if it isn’t cued up to the proper spot already.) The belt is clear in the video but doesn’t appear to be in operation at the time the video was filmed. One of the suggested videos next to that is about whether an airplane on a moving conveyor belt would take off - a classic SDMB argument that raged for a year before being locked by the mods. My left eye started involuntarily twitching when I saw the video suggestion… ---
**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:** [January 11, 2024, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8615 "2024-01-11T23:12:58Z")
I was surprised to learn that the 5th most populated US city in 1920 (behind NY, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Detroit) was Cleveland , with 800k population - rising to a high of 915k in 1950. Today it has 361k, and ranks 54th - and supports several pro sport teams. 1890 was the first decade it appeared on the top 10. Still #10 as late as 1970. ---
**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:** [January 11, 2024, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8616 "2024-01-11T23:38:08Z")
I’m betting that we’ll be back on the Top Ten list within 50 years. We have fresh water, and within a few decades, much of the country won’t. > [@kayaker](#): > > In the morning there is warm applesauce to eat with breakfast or refrigerate for lunch/dinner. I also like to add a bag of cranberries for taste and color. And if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8617 "2024-01-11T23:40:44Z")
Well that guy sure got the problem wrong, I quit after 1/3rd of his bullshit. Now I have to search for the thread you spoke about to find out why the mods locked it, I hope I find it. I might have written something back then, there is a hazy memory… Anyway: be damned for awakening sleeping devils! > [@Chronos](#): > > if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does. That is a statement worth ruminating about. Made me laugh, make of that what you want. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8618 "2024-01-11T23:41:01Z")
Most Americans can easily identify the three largest cities in the US. Can you name #4? The top ten represent 6 states, with 2 states each accounting for 3 of the current ten most populous cities. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8619 "2024-01-11T23:44:23Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does. I love stewed rhubarb in the spring when we have it. Now that you’ve mentioned it I’ll be making rhubarb applesauce with rhubarb I have in the freezer!! ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8620 "2024-01-11T23:54:23Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > And if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does. Thank you, Captain Spaulding. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8621 "2024-01-12T00:15:30Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > The top ten represent 6 states, with 2 states each accounting for 3 of the current ten most populous cities. Has to be California and Texas. LA, San Diego, San Jose, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. ---
**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:** [January 12, 2024, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8622 "2024-01-12T00:17:39Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Most Americans can easily identify the three largest cities in the US. Can you name #4? Without Googling, I would say Houston , unless it has passed Chicago to reach #3 (behind NY and LA).. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8623 "2024-01-12T00:36:27Z")
Yes, Houston is still behind Chicago, by about a Miami. ---
**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:** [January 12, 2024, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8624 "2024-01-12T01:39:14Z")
> [@Mark\_Finn](#): > > I was surprised to learn that the 5th most populated US city in 1920 (behind NY, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Detroit) was , with 800k population - rising to a high of 915k in 1950. Today it has 361k, and ranks 54th - and supports several pro sport teams. And Buffalo was in the top ten around 1900. The Great Lakes dominated American manufacturing. Even Rochester was in the top 25 as a Kodak company town. Fun fact: Rochester was a founding member of both the NFL and NBA. > [@Chronos](#): > > I’m betting that we’ll be back on the Top Ten list within 50 years. We have fresh water, and within a few decades, much of the country won’t. The North Coast, baby! ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8625 "2024-01-12T02:27:47Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > We have fresh water, and within a few decades, much of the country won’t. Well, you do if you can keep it from catching fire. ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8626 "2024-01-12T03:00:56Z")
That’s what brings out the flavor. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8627 "2024-01-12T03:05:19Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Fun fact: Rochester was a founding member of both the NFL and NBA. Does Mr. Benny know about that? ---
**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:** [January 12, 2024, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8628 "2024-01-12T04:07:04Z")
Unfun fact: Rochester is better known as a 1940s radio character than as a major American city. Fact: That was a great line. ---
**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:** [January 12, 2024, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8629 "2024-01-12T04:09:15Z")
While we’re on culinary matters. Lobster was essentially considered slop — only fit for prisoners until east coast restaurants began serving it in the 1880s. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8630 "2024-01-12T04:21:37Z")
Or was it? This article doesn’t address that specifically but [does cast doubt on some lobster lore.](https://seagrant.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lobster_Lore_Print.pdf) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=430) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=432)