# Tell us an interesting random fact you stumbled across (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 25, 2024, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785 "2024-07-25T15:06:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 241
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2026, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4801 "2026-06-06T02:57:30Z")
Or it just gives him license to pronounce “report” as “repoor” ---
**Author:** ![Xocomil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xocomil/32/14927_2.png) [@Xocomil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xocomil)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2026, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4802 "2026-06-06T22:07:02Z")
That’s more of a beautiful coincidence. It also gave him license to say of his name in the very first mock trailer for his at-the-time-not-yet-existent show, “it’s French, bitch.” It’s not actually French but it is funny. I loved the tagline at the end, too, “'cause right or wrong, I’m right and you’re wrong.” RIP, Stephen. ---
**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:** [June 7, 2026, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4803 "2026-06-07T01:34:20Z")
Or to insist it should be spelled “reporte”. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2026, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4804 "2026-06-07T02:04:57Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Certainly much simpler than football. On the other hand, entirely artificial restrictions against piling-on or hacking or offside. Beginners spend a lot of time just standing around in the field, and may not even get a touch in the whole game. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2026, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4805 "2026-06-07T02:17:49Z")
> [@fedman1](#): > > Yet I’ve always wondered whether the constant 'heading" the ball leads to brain damage It’s one of the reasons for using a plastic ball instead of a leather ball (leather balls got heavier as they got wet). I’m not aware if there is a “safe” force level for blows to the head, or if it’s a continuum like lead poisoning. Amateur soccer players who’ve done a lot of heading (1000 per year) show detectable damage on scanning. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2026, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4806 "2026-06-07T02:48:08Z")
> [@billy-jack](#): > > I assume that they are also using it for trading purposes across the US as well. NYC-Chicago was the most important link. They went back-and-forth between using cables and using microwaves. Both are slowed down by the path length and by the number of repeaters required, straightening out the path is expensive but allows fewer repeaters. Like the Pony Express, sometimes just when you think you are going to make a profit, somebody else puts in something faster. Between NYC and London, there was noticeable echo on the original line – a noticeable fraction of a second. That was replaced by satellite communications, which was so much worse that digital communications all preferred the old cables. That was the path length from here, to up in the sky, to back down again. Optic cables were much better, and much faster. All of that was much **better** than shortwave radio, which was flakey at the best of times. **but** , the same technology that has made other comms possible also can make digital shortwave radio better. You can use broadband spread-spectrum and frequency hopping. And the nature of high-frequency trading is that you can simply turn it off and exit the market when you don’t have communications: you miss profit, but you aren’t holding a position. So about 20 years ago people started working secretly on High Frequency Trading with shortwave between NYC and Chicago, and 10 years ago they were trying to do the same between NYC and London. How much success they’ve had, I don’t know, because, unlike laying a new cable or placing new microwave towers, there is nothing to see. A little bit of information from the FCC, and from strange hobbyists who look at antennas instead of trains. I don’t think it’s gone mainstream, but I’m out of touch. (It’s not random for me – I worked in telecom and in finance) ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4807 "2026-06-08T03:23:46Z")
Men’s underwear is collectable. I’ve worn the same brand and style of underwear for the last 50 years. Then, it was convenient to have underwear different from the rest of the family, and still the case now. But unavailable in the shops now, so I’m looking on the internet. And I can still buy it – in original packaging – for $200~$300 a pair. That’s not an absolutely surprising price for women’s lingerie, but it’s pretty stiff for plain cotton men’s underwear. At $300 for 1960’s underwear in original packaging, not a brilliant investment, but better than hiding cash under your mattress. ---
**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:** [June 8, 2026, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4808 "2026-06-08T20:33:02Z")
Windsurfing was invented in 1958 by 12 year old Peter Chilvers on Hayling Island, England. His role as inventor was established when UK company Tabur Marine was sued by Windsurfing International for patent infringement. Newspaper articles proved that he had been the first person to build and ride a windsurfer, establishing a defence of Prior Art. > **[Peter Chilvers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Chilvers)** > > Peter Chilvers was an inventor, engineer and promoter of sailing and windsurfing. He is credited with an early version of a sail powered surfboard. He died from lung cancer on 26 February 2015. > Chilvers had been an engineer for Lotus and founded a sailing and windsurfing centre in London. Chilvers is credited with creating a crude sailing craft propelled by a free-sail system while living on Hayling Island in 1958. His craft was recognized as prior art in later court cases in England regardi... j (We randomly stumbled across a plaque commemorating him today - on Hayling Island, of course.) ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4809 "2026-06-09T01:52:15Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Windsurfing was invented in 1958 by 12 year old Peter Chilvers on Hayling Island, England. 1958 and 12-year old makes sense. But _England_? ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4810 "2026-06-09T01:59:14Z")
Well, they used to rule the waves you know… ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4811 "2026-06-09T04:11:45Z")
… and sometimes they waive the rules … ---
**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:** [June 9, 2026, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4812 "2026-06-09T13:01:42Z")
Well, how else do you think you’re going to be able to surf in England? Not enough waves, so you’ve got to find some other way to make the board go. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4813 "2026-06-09T13:14:42Z")
Just wondering where he found something approximating a surfboard in England in 1958. The newspaper called it a “plank” but from the picture it looks like more than that. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4814 "2026-06-09T13:45:23Z")
One of my favorite brush off lines which, incidentally, I used last night: “You’d have a heart attack and die before I was even finished, and I wouldn’t want that on my conscience.” I’ve discovered that with most men, when their masculinity is challenged and/or they get pissed at you, it kind of short circuits their libido. Anyway, I thought about it a few minutes ago and AI’ed the question, “How many men a year die during sex?” I was surprised at the answer. > Dying during sex is exceedingly rare, accounting for less than 1% of all sudden cardiac deaths. The average risk of sudden cardiac death is roughly 1 to 3 in 1,000,000. So, ladies, if you think you can quickly screw way into a very comfortable inheritence, you might be in for a rude surprise! 🤣 ---
**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:** [June 9, 2026, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4815 "2026-06-09T13:46:58Z")
On the other hand, most men spend a lot less than 1% of their time having sex, too. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4816 "2026-06-09T13:59:26Z")
Good point, which calls into question the validity of the methodology because, at that rate, it would take forever. I guess the ambitious vamp could slip him a steady supply of viagra to hasten the process. Jasmine (cooing while she is carefully studying his face for any cardiovascular distress): “Ooooooh, baby, again?!” Lord, who started this sick conversation anyway?! 🙃 ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4817 "2026-06-09T15:18:59Z")
So, death by snu snu? [![](https://image-cdn.neatoshop.com/styleimg/132749/none/lightturquoise/default/520410-20;1649687853y.jpg) ](https://image-cdn.neatoshop.com/styleimg/132749/none/lightturquoise/default/520410-20;1649687853y.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4818 "2026-06-09T15:26:33Z")
I had to look that up! LOL ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4819 "2026-06-09T17:01:47Z")
Interesting automotive fact: The automotive industry has by and large settled on what’s known as a “dry clutch” on cars with manual transmissions. But the early days of the auto industry was a time of experimentation, and Hudson used a “wet clutch” on their cars, meaning the clutch was filled with oil (branded as “Hudsonite clutch compound”). The advantage of a wet clutch was smoother starts. The disadvantage was more maintenance, as the oil needed to be changed regularly. But that probably wasn’t that big of a deal, most Hudson owners likely just did it when they changed their engine oil. [https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/tech/hudsons-wet-clutch-basics-an-independent-idea-that-wasnt-that-independent-draft/](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/tech/hudsons-wet-clutch-basics-an-independent-idea-that-wasnt-that-independent-draft/) ---
**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:** [June 9, 2026, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4820 "2026-06-09T19:40:48Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Well, how else do you think you’re going to be able to surf in England? As far as Hayling Island goes, fair comment. But England? [Surfing - Newquay](https://www.visitnewquay.org/things-to-do/water-sports/surfing#:~:text=Newquay%20is%20well%20known%20for,worldwide%20%2D%20and%20that's%20the%20surfing). j [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=240) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=242)