# 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:** 52
**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:** [December 6, 2020, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1021 "2020-12-06T23:06:58Z")
Captain Nemo was, of course, the name of the Captain of the Nautlus in Jules Verne’s **20,000 Leagues Under the Sea** (1870) and its later sequel, **The Mysterious Island** (1875). Nemo wasn’t really his name, of course, but an alias chosen to disguise his family background and nationality (originally supposed to be Polish, but changed at his publisher’s request to something else, and Verne chose Indian.) But Verne might have been influenced. His wasn’t the first “Captain Nemo” operating under an alias in Victorian-era fiction. Charles Dickens has an apparent pauper named “Nemo” in his 1853 novel **Bleak House** , who is later revealed to be Captain James Hawdon, who is an Army Captain, not a naval one. And I don’t think he is ever called “Captain Nemo” in the novel.But still, he’s a legitimate Captain Nemo, and Verne did, I think, read Dickens in translation. (“Nemo” is Latin of “Nobody”, the Latin form of the name – Οὖτις (Outis) – used by Odysseus when the cyclops Polyphemos asks his name. Which, I guess, makes Odysseus the _original_ “Captain Nemo”) ---
**Author:** ![MacSpon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@MacSpon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacSpon)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2020, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1022 "2020-12-06T23:29:18Z")
> [@Dead\_Cat](#): > > On a related note, in a quiz the other week, the question “What is the windiest city in the world?” came up, and several of us incorrectly guessed Chicago. The correct answer is Wellington, New Zealand - which is also the world’s most southerly capital city. Speaking as a long-time resident of Wellington, I am _so tired_ of the wind. 😅 ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2020, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1023 "2020-12-07T02:01:24Z")
The next gen offshore wind turbines can generate enough power to electrify two houses for a day per rotation. I’m sure there’s a bunch of asterisks and fine print but it’s pretty impressive. The offshore generators are enormous even compared to the terrestrial ones. > **[New Offshore Wind Turbine to Power a House for 2 Days With a Single Spin](https://interestingengineering.com/science/new-offshore-wind-turbine-to-power-a-house-for-2-days-with-a-single-spin)** > > The company behind the turbine claims a single spin of it could power a home for two days. Get the details here. ---
**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:** [December 7, 2020, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1024 "2020-12-07T23:15:45Z")
> The non-toxic, non-staining, reusable modeling compound that came to be known as “Play-Doh” was a pliable, putty-like substance concocted by Noah McVicker of [Cincinnati](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati)-based soap manufacturer [Kutol Products](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kutol_Products_Company). It was devised at the request of [Kroger Grocery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kroger), which wanted a product that could clean [coal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal) residue from wallpaper.[[4]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play-Doh#cite_note-4) Following [World War II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II), with the transition from coal-based home heating to [natural gas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_gas) and the resulting decrease in internal soot, and the introduction of washable [vinyl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinyl_chloride)-based wallpaper, the market for wallpaper cleaning putty decreased substantially. So they had to quick come up with another way to market it so as to avoid bankruptcy. [Wikipedia source](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across/851674/1023) ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2020, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1025 "2020-12-07T23:25:18Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > enough power to electrify two houses for a day per rotation. I’m sure there’s a bunch of asterisks and fine print but it’s pretty impressive The more impressive claim, from the same place is that it can supply “all of a home’s **energy needs** in just **seven seconds**.” “Enough to power to electrify two houses” just means it can run your computer and your TV. “All energy needs” means it can replace your heaters. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1026 "2020-12-08T04:48:10Z")
They have been tearing up the roads here in the Detroit , and somehow I missed the fact that the famous Exit 69 to Big Beaver, is going Diverging Diamond, and gonna be open any day now. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1027 "2020-12-08T13:08:29Z")
> [@Mark\_Finn](#): > > Surprising winning combination sparks accusations of fraud as 20 people win share of jackpot Many years ago, the DC lottery came up with 666. What sort of people do you meet in the line to collect your check? ---
**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:** [December 8, 2020, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1028 "2020-12-08T13:18:54Z")
> [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](#): > > Many years ago, the DC lottery came up with 666. In 1980 [Pennsylvania had its daily number rigged by local celebrity Nick Perry.](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_Pennsylvania_Lottery_scandal) The number was 666 and Perry was caught pretty quickly. ---
**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:** [December 8, 2020, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1030 "2020-12-08T15:08:28Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > The number was 666 and Perry was caught pretty quickly. Because they got caught buying huge number of tickets with the winning combination. Idiots. I understand having multiple tickets in case there are other winners but how many do you need? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1031 "2020-12-08T16:15:34Z")
Post withdrawn. There’s a few things that don’t add up about wiki’s explanation of how the game worked. So my attempts at extrapolations are building nonsense on top of confusion. As Emily LaTella used to say: "Neveeer miiiind! ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1032 "2020-12-08T16:52:52Z")
Colonel Sanders really was given the title of Colonel by the governor of Kentucky in 1935, long before the first Kentucky Fried Chicken opened. ---
**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:** [December 8, 2020, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1033 "2020-12-08T17:32:46Z")
When I went to London, I found out that fast-food chicken in the style of the Colonel, Popeye’s, Church’s, etc is called American Fried Chicken. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1034 "2020-12-08T19:36:47Z")
That would be to avoid accusations of trademark infringement, of course. As I’m sure you’re aware, the UK isn’t short of genuine KFC franchises, also. ---
**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:** [December 8, 2020, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1035 "2020-12-08T20:03:11Z")
I think Saint\_Cad is saying that any fast-food restaurant in London, regardless of name, calls fried chicken “American fried chicken”. Not as a way of skirting trademark infringement, but as a way to clearly communicate to customers what the product is (i.e. chicken battered and deep-fried in hot oil). Which makes me ask, what do native Londoners envision when they hear the words “fried chicken?” ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1036 "2020-12-08T20:26:12Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Which makes me ask, what do native Londoners envision when they hear the words “fried chicken?” I’m not a Londoner, but my anglo-English friends would imagine a fry up. Which is pan-fried. ---
**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:** [December 8, 2020, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1037 "2020-12-08T23:52:41Z")
As a Londoner I would think of KFC-style chicken. Every major and most small high streets in suburban London seem to have multiple fast-food fried chicken shops, all of which have a similar title - often _(name of US State) Fried Chicken_. Of course quite a few have real KFCs - but that doesn’t seem to reduce the number of these other chicken shops. And in fact there appears to be one guy responsible for all the signage that hangs above these shops. He’s known as Mr Chicken: > **[Mr Chicken: the genius who paints London's fried-chicken signs | Boing Boing](https://boingboing.net/2014/01/17/mr-chicken-the-genius-who-pai.html)** > > London’s fried chicken restaurants are a bizarre and wonderful institution — generally, they have American-ish names (Dixy Fried Chicken, Southern Fried Chicken, Carolina Fried Chicken)… ---
**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:** [December 9, 2020, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1038 "2020-12-09T00:06:26Z")
Pan-fried is what real American fried chicken is. KFC chicken has varied in cooking methods over the years, including deep fried, baked, and pressure frying. Last I heard from someone working at one they were mainly pressure frying the chicken, then finishing the extra crispy stuff in an oven. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2020, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1039 "2020-12-09T00:13:24Z")
I don’t know if this is a random fact, but a mole of any gas is always 22.4 liters in volume at standard temperature and pressure. I learnt this over 30 years ago, I forget it sometimes, and it always freaks me out when I remember it. Every single gas? 22.4 liters? I mean, I appreciate the convenience but how are they all the same? Why not 27.1 or 14.6? ---
**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:** [December 9, 2020, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1040 "2020-12-09T00:21:13Z")
The reason for that is because the volume of a gas is almost not at all due to the volume of the molecules themselves, but rather due to the way the molecules bounce off of their container and each other. Which depends only on pressure, temperature, and the number of the things doing the bouncing. As for the daily lotto, with a three-digit drawing, with each digit ranging from 0 to 9, there are only 1000 possible drawings. And at one per day, that means that you’d expect every combination, including 666, to come up every three years or so. And most lottos have been around for a lot longer than three years, so it’s no surprise that you’d find a lot of 666s. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2020, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1041 "2020-12-09T00:27:19Z")
Johnny Winter’s _Second Winter_ double album LP has 3 sides of music and one side with **no groove at all.** _GOK_ is a real scientific term. At an archeological dig, there are inevitably pieces of pottery and blocks that don’t seem to fit anything else. These are thrown in the _GOK pile,_ meaning God Only Knows. I read that years ago. Today, with laser scanning, maybe a lot more unknown pieces become sorted out. I dunno. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=51) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=53)