# 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:** 476
**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:** [May 18, 2024, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9513 "2024-05-18T15:58:56Z")
[Orangey the cat](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1248838/) had a similar stardom as [Higgins the dog](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1372235/?ref_=m_ttfcd_cl29) ---
**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:** [May 18, 2024, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9514 "2024-05-18T17:35:36Z")
Gentle Ben also had a starring role in _The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean_, but not in the _Grizzly Adams_ series (which was a brown bear rather than a black bear, imaginatively called “Ben”, but played by a girl). ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2024, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9515 "2024-05-18T20:35:46Z")
When visiting the archaeological museum in Taranto, Italy recently, I learned from that vase [[Album] imgur.com ![](https://i.imgur.com/GCW5sSn.jpeg?fb "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/a/zR4sCfz) that the Greek pipulation of Magna Graecia apparently had collapsible umbrellas (lower row, below the stabby scene in the upper row) ---
**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:** [May 18, 2024, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9516 "2024-05-18T23:05:42Z")
Feeling nitpicky, I would add that that was not an umbrella, but a [parasol](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parasol). Which is ethymologically curious, as an umbrella the thing is that gives you _umbra_ (Latin for _shade_), not the one that keeps you dry. Rain breaks parasols, but fortunately you see in your vase that it is not raining. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2024, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9517 "2024-05-18T23:08:18Z")
A standard disclaimer is made is biopics to indicate that some/all of the events/characters are fictitious. We have Rasputin to thank for this. MGM released a [movie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_persons_fictitious_disclaimer) about Rasputin in 1932. In it, it implies a Russian princess was raped by Rasputin. Despite the name being different from the real life princess this rumor had started with, she sued and got some money. Disclaimers soon started appearing. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2024, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9518 "2024-05-18T23:28:29Z")
The rope core memory was custom tailored for each spacecraft, because each mission profile was unique. Mission control in Houston had two identical very large computer rooms on floors to crunch numbers. The computer power was basically on the ground, not on the spacecraft, for obvious reason. Updates and torquing angles and the rest of it were radio’d up to the crew. They wanted the crew to also be able to navigate independently by use of star angles and sextant in case radio comms were lost, and at the time there were concerns that the Soviets might try to jam radio comms. On A14, when orbiting the moon getting ready to land, the descent stage Abort switch exhibited signs that a loose solder ball was intermittently shorting out, which meant the moon landing would be scrubbed. Draper lab at MIT had only 2 to 3 hours to come up with a workaround to this problem by modifying the code, get it tested in the simulator, and NASA administrators to sign off on the fix. I think I read somewhere during the A13 crisis the federal government basically confiscated computer time at a fair chunk of the existing large mainframe computers in various universities or government agencies around the country. ---
**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:** [May 19, 2024, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9519 "2024-05-19T16:15:31Z")
> [@Mops](#): > > that the Greek pipulation of Magna Graecia apparently had collapsible umbrellas (lower row, below the stabby scene in the upper row) They also had yo-yos, I learned several years ago. There’s a statue that used to hold one, but it has disappeared. I heard it was called an _aristobolus_. Here’s a vase painting of a boy with one: [![](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yo-yo#/media/File:Yo-yo_player_Antikensammlung_Berlin_F2549.jpg) ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yo-yo#/media/File:Yo-yo_player_Antikensammlung_Berlin_F2549.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2024, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9520 "2024-05-19T16:22:44Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > They also had yo-yos Wow, that’s cool and very unexpected. Mind blown! ---
**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:** [May 19, 2024, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9521 "2024-05-19T17:10:27Z")
Just from the picture, that could be a yo-yo, but there are any number of other sorts of toys and/or tools that could look like that, too. Are there written descriptions of its use? ---
**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:** [May 19, 2024, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9522 "2024-05-19T23:06:33Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Are there written descriptions of its use? I don’t recall any descriptions, but there are articles in classical journals supporting the case that the Greeks had yo-yos. I can;t lay my hands on them right now, though. ---
**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:** [May 19, 2024, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9523 "2024-05-19T23:09:47Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Just from the picture, that could be a yo-yo, but there are any number of other sorts of toys and/or tools that could look like that, too. Are there written descriptions of its use? The vWikipedia article I got the picture from has a couple of references: > [@](#): > > A [Greek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek) vase painting from 440 BC shows a boy playing with a yo-yo (see right).[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yo-yo#cite_note-Miller2004-3) Greek records from the period describe toys made out of wood, metal, or painted terra cotta (fired clay).[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yo-yo#cite_note-Miller2004-3) The terra cotta disks were used to ceremonially offer the toys of youth to certain gods when a child came of age—discs of other materials were used for actual play. [_[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)_] Citations 2 and 3 are 1. Vanoverbergh, Morice. (1956). Iloko-English Dictionary, Catholic School Press, Baguio City. p. 370 [Translated, augmented & revised version of Carro, Andres. (1888). Vocabulario Iloco-Español. Vicaria de Agustinos de Filipinas, Intramuros, Manila] 2. ^ [Jump up to:_ **a** _](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yo-yo#cite_ref-Miller2004_3-0) [_ **b** _](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yo-yo#cite_ref-Miller2004_3-1) [Miller, Stephen G.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_G._Miller) (2004). [_Ancient Greek Athletics_](https://archive.org/details/ancientgreekathl00mill). Yale University Press. pp. [169](https://archive.org/details/ancientgreekathl00mill/page/169)–. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780300115291](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780300115291). Retrieved March 19, 2013. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2024, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9524 "2024-05-20T17:37:04Z")
There’s only 6 minutes of full CGI models in **Jurassic Park**. The vast majority of special effects in the film were practical. The raptors and dilophosaurus were puppets. The triceratops was animatronic. The T-Rex was mostly animatronic. Only the long shots of the brachiosaurs and the herd of gallimimus were fully CGI. T-Rex chasing the Jeep was CGI. Probably goes a long way in explaining why other all-CGI creatures in other films, even Jurassic Park’s own sequels, _still_ look crappy over 30 years later. ---
**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:** [May 20, 2024, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9525 "2024-05-20T23:02:46Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Probably goes a long way in explaining why other all-CGI creatures in other films, even Jurassic Park’s own sequels, _still_ look crappy over 30 years later. One of the most egregious examples of a CG animal was the crocodile in a movie called _Eraser_ from the mid '90s. Ironically, the movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Effects. nitpick: “CGI” stands for “Common Gateway Interface”, a protocol used by internet servers – Cmmputerized Graphics in cinema should be called “CG” ---
**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:** [May 21, 2024, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9526 "2024-05-21T00:59:27Z")
Or [Skippy the dog](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1208817/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_1_nm_7_q_asta). Like those others he’s not remembered by his real-life name but mostly as Asta, the scene-stealing pet of William Powell in the Thin Man series. Skippy was cast in every famous screwball comedy of the 30s - only a slight exaggeration, what a list of credits! - and was the highest paid animal actor of the day. If only he could get royalties for every use in a New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle, the name Asta being unintentionally useful for a filler. Skippy would have more money than the peanut butter firm. ---
**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:** [May 21, 2024, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9527 "2024-05-21T01:26:33Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > nitpick: “CGI” stands for “Common Gateway Interface”, a protocol used by internet servers – Cmmputerized Graphics in cinema should be called “CG” Interesting random fact: Most TLAs have more than one meaning. ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2024, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9528 "2024-05-21T01:43:48Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Or [Skippy the dog](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1208817/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_1_nm_7_q_asta) Not to be confused with [Skipper the Dog - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1919020/?ref_=tt_cl_t_16) whose acting in _The Monster and the Girl_ (1941) must surely be among the greatest canine performances ever. Of course, when it comes to animal performers, I’m not sure anyone can touch [Zamba - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3815917/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1), “the world’s greatest lion.” ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2024, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9529 "2024-05-21T07:10:31Z")
> [@Dropo](#): > > Not to be confused with [Skipper the Dog](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1919020/?ref_=tt_cl_t_16) Or [Skippy the Bush Kangaroo](https://youtu.be/zM6MWlI8qLw?feature=shared) ---
**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:** [May 21, 2024, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9530 "2024-05-21T16:32:25Z")
TIL That in medieval times the city of Bologna had large numbers of (for the time and technology) tremendously tall towers. > **[Towers of Bologna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Towers_of_Bologna)** > > The Towers of Bologna are a group of medieval structures in Bologna, Italy. The two most prominent ones remaining, known as the Two Towers, are a landmark of the city. > Between the 12th and the 13th century, Bologna was a city full of towers. Almost all the towers were tall (the highest being 97 metres (318.2 ft)), defensive stone towers. Besides the towers, there are still some fortified gateways (torresotti) that correspond to the gates of the 12th-century city wall (Mura dei torresotti or C... ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2024, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9531 "2024-05-21T17:00:31Z")
I didn’t know about the towers of Bologna, but I did see a TV documentary some years ago about another Northern Italian city (maybe in Tuscany?), a smaller city I don’t remember the name of that still has about a dozen medieval towers that had been built solely out of vanity. The story was that this city had several rich merchant families, and they all wanted to show their wealth and outdo the others by building towers that had absolutely no strategical or other practical use other than building them higher and higher in a rat race between those families. Does anybody have an idea which city I’m talking about? ---
**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:** [May 21, 2024, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9532 "2024-05-21T17:34:01Z")
I want to say Florence because I remember James Burke going on about it. Probably in an episode of “The Day The Universe Changed.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=475) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=477)