# 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:** 92
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1824 "2021-04-23T14:48:53Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Around 20 years ago I purchased some solid tires for my bicycle. They were terrible. Felt like they were losing grip on the turns, and they squeaked on the turns. I quickly removed them and reinstalled regular tires and tubes. That’s because they lacked the flex needed to turn the tire slightly so that the sidewall has enough ‘give’ to corner smoothly. With this idea, it is the wheel, not the tire that offers that flexibility. I know the concept is in testing. If it works, it will be okay for everyday commutes, but not for someone who expects a performance machine from their vehicles. ---
**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:** [April 23, 2021, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1825 "2021-04-23T15:22:33Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Currently available in small sizes for things like ATVs and Bobcat skid loaders, airless tires could be on a passenger car near you in the next four years. This general type of tire, crosswise voids in a solid material was used in the past. Pretty far past. A local tire shop that had been in business for generations displayed a very old wagon tire on a wooden wheel that used a similar principle. The solid rubber tire portion had a set of crosswise holes in it, allowing the rubber to flex and absorb shock the same way. There was also an odd type of wheel for early tractors that was all metal using a similar set of flexing metal pieces between the outer rim and inner wheel like this new concept does. I can’t recall exactly but I think a tractor with wheels like that was one of the antiques used on the show Green Acres. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1826 "2021-04-23T20:52:29Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > I hadn’t heard of the Ossuary of Sedlec before, but you HAVE to see pictures of this place in the Czech Republic: And I hadn’t heard of the ossuary in St Leonard’s Church, Hythe, Kent until I went there. Well, it’s something to do on a weekend away. It’s not like you get a lot of ossuaries in England; and if you were looking for one, sleepy coastal Kent probably isn’t the place your start your search. But here it is in all its …glory? > **[The extraordinary ossuary at St Leonard’s Church, Hythe](https://flickeringlamps.com/2015/07/10/the-extraordinary-ossuary-at-st-leonards-church-hythe/)** > > \[Content note: this article contains multiple images of human remains\] The church of St Leonard sits on a hillside in the pretty coastal town of Hythe in Kent, overlooking the English Channel.  Its… That blog actually gives a pretty good impression of what its like - it’s a bit like being in a massive second hand book shop that sells skulls instead of books. And considering how unusual it is, it’s remarkably - well, unpopular sounds unfair, but we went with our friends D & G, and there was nobody else there - just the four of us and the curator. A couple of years before our visit, there had actually been a theft of skulls from the ossuary. Who knew there was a black market for skulls? > **[Fears stolen skulls will be sold on black market](https://www.kentonline.co.uk/hythe/news/fears-stolen-skulls-will-be-sold-on-black-market-186601/)** > > Suspects who snatched ancient human skulls from a church crypt may be looking to sell them on the black market, it is feared. j ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1827 "2021-04-23T21:15:26Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Who knew there was a black market for skulls? TIL white market skulls cost [$2000](https://www.skullsunlimited.com/collections/humans/products/real-human-skull-ok-25653). ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1828 "2021-04-23T22:22:40Z")
Wow, I got mine for free! ---
**Author:** ![Kzbre5m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@Kzbre5m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kzbre5m)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1829 "2021-04-23T23:50:21Z")
Not much stumbled on this but as it is Spring and robins are aplenty, so I was curious. A group of them are, of course, a round. ---
**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, 2021, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1830 "2021-04-24T00:22:59Z")
Speaking of ossuaries…the Paris police went into the catacombs for a training exercise. > The police descended deeper into the tunnels and discovered a 500-square-meter cavern with a fully equipped cinema. It included a giant cinema screen, projection equipment, chairs and a handful of films, from film noir classics to recent thrillers. Someone had turned this abandoned underground cavern into a secret amphitheater. Aside from this, in the next “room,” police discovered a fully-stocked bar and restaurant, complete with tables and chairs. The discovery left police befuddled, not to mention the professional installation of electricity and three phone lines. > > Three days later, police returned with experts from the French Board of Electricity to try and figure out where the power was coming from. The cables had been cut and a note lying on the floor read, “Do not try and find us.” > **[Catacombes de Paris](https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/catacombes-de-paris)** > > The vast, legendary catacombs hold secrets much stranger than stacked bones. ---
**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 24, 2021, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1831 "2021-04-24T01:27:45Z")
According to a member of the group which was responsible for creating the catacomb cinema, the police finding it was no accident. > **[Paris's new slant on underground movies](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/sep/11/film.france)** > > Clandestine group reveals how it built its cinema beneath the city. ---
**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:** [April 24, 2021, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1832 "2021-04-24T01:36:43Z")
Well, yeah. But some assembly was required. 😉 ---
**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, 2021, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1833 "2021-04-24T01:49:23Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > According to a member of the group which was responsible for creating the catacomb cinema, the police finding it was no accident. Love it! I’ve heard that the Nazis and the Resistance were down there at the same time and never ran into each other. Apparently they go on for miles and miles. ---
**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:** [April 24, 2021, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1834 "2021-04-24T14:53:34Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > A couple of years before our visit, there had actually been a theft of skulls from the ossuary. How could they tell? ---
**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 24, 2021, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1835 "2021-04-24T17:00:57Z")
In the 1500s “Computi were brief treatises devoted to computation of the ecclesiastical calendar…Computus eccliasticus.” From _Capitalism & Arithmetic\_The New Math of the 15th Century, Swetz_ ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2021, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1836 "2021-04-24T20:42:06Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > > [@Treppenwitz](#): > > > > A couple of years before our visit, there had actually been a theft of skulls from the ossuary. > > How could they tell? Same way a second hand book shop owner could tell if someone had been stealing his books, I guess. 😉 j ---
**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:** [April 24, 2021, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1837 "2021-04-24T21:52:03Z")
Maybe they could make it like the penny tray at the convenience store: > Need a skull, take a skull; have a skull, leave a skull. 😉 ---
**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:** [April 24, 2021, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1838 "2021-04-24T21:55:52Z")
I have one, but I’m using it right now. ---
**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:** [April 24, 2021, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1839 "2021-04-24T21:57:48Z")
Back when we all carried coins you knew the rule was to never give away your last penny; you know you’ll need it at the next stop. Same thing is true of skulls; always keep (at least) 1. ---
**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 27, 2021, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1840 "2021-04-27T01:03:03Z")
For that “hard to buy for” person in your life…this is actually a thing. > **[Amazon.com: People of Walmart Adult Coloring Book: Rolling Back Dignity:...](https://www.amazon.com/People-Walmart-com-Adult-Coloring-Book/dp/1945056088)** > > Amazon.com: People of Walmart Adult Coloring Book: Rolling Back Dignity: 9781945056086: Kipple, Andrew, Press, Day Drankin', Wherry, Luke, Kipple, Adam, Mars, Dave: Books ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2021, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1841 "2021-04-27T14:09:48Z")
Scientists managed to trick beavers into building a beaver dam on dry land by playing a tape recording of running water in the middle of a field near a beaver pond. Richard P.B. (1983). “Mechanisms and adaptation in the constructive behavior of the beaver (C. fiber L.)”. _Acta Zoologica Fennica_ ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2021, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1842 "2021-04-27T15:11:28Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > Scientists managed to trick beavers into building a beaver dam on dry land by playing a tape recording of running water in the middle of a field near a beaver pond. That’s just mean. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2021, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1843 "2021-04-27T16:02:24Z")
Not exactly random. I was looking at the NYTimes article about Covid being the 3rd largest cause of death in 2020, but what caught my eye was what it replaced. For the previous 4 years, the third largest cause of death in the US was “unintentional injuries,” which I wouldn’t have expected. I dug a little deeper, and about 45% of these unintentional injuries were “accidental poisonings.” It took a couple of minutes for the penny to drop, then I realized – that’s probably mostly opioid ODs. (Before 2016, the 3rd largest cause of death was “chronic lower respiratory diseases.”) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=91) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=93)