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Topic: Useless Fact's
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)
Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 01-01-2005 06:11 PM
Rated G ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Useless fact - My grandmother left me her mink stole. How do I care for it and store it?
Links in the Lukol Fur category yielded a warm, fuzzy wealth of information on caring for that inherited mink. It may be a bit more difficult to preserve than, say, a pair of jeans, but a touch of caution coupled with some professional help will keep that fur looking beautiful for years to come. The Fur Information Council of America and various web sites offer many tips to care for grandmother's fur. Designed to keep an animal warm, fur is best adapted for cold weather and does not respond well to heat. Store fur away from heaters, warm closets, and direct light. Never dry it with a hair dryer or other heat source if it gets wet -- just shake it out and hang it to dry in a well-ventilated room.
For long-term storage during the warm summer months, contact a professional furrier. Most offer "cold storage" where furs are kept in temperature-controlled, low-humidity vaults. Air- conditioned homes sometimes have too much humidity for fur storage, causing the leather backing of the fur to dry out and crack.
At home, hang the fur on a broad-shouldered hanger and make sure it won't be crammed or crushed in the closet. Fur needs air and room to breathe, so don't store it in a plastic bag. If you must cover it (when traveling or moving), use a cloth garment bag. Don't use mothballs or other mothproofing chemicals near a fur and don't store it in a cedar chest or closet -- both of these can suck humidity from the air and damage the fur. Never comb or brush the fur. Instead, smooth it with a clean hand if individual furs look bristly. If the fur is matted or seriously messy, take it to a professional furrier or cleaner who specializes in fur.
When wearing fur, you can take steps to preserve its fine quality. Apply perfume and hairspray before putting on the fur so the alcohol in these products doesn't dry the pelt. Be careful to avoid friction and crushing, especially when wearing the coat in a car. Carrying a shoulder-strap purse and wearing jewelry pinned to your fur can also damage it. Also, make sure any small rips and tears are repaired immediately so they don't become larger problems.
By its very nature, fur filters and traps dirt, so it's a good idea to have it professionally cleaned once a year, usually before you store it for the summer. As part of the cleaning process, furriers add essential oils back into the fur, making it look glossy and new and helping it last longer.
Finally, while wearing fur is a personal choice, keep in mind that not everyone considers fur appropriate garb for humans. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals may not be splashing mink-wearing women with red paint anymore, but their supporters now seem to be pelting people in fur coats with marshmallows.
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)
Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 01-06-2005 09:45 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - Who can be buried in Arlington National Cemetery?
With over 260,000 people interred there and over 5,400 new burials every year, Arlington is the second most-populated national cemetery in the United States and features one of the country's largest columbariums to house cremated remains. In each of the columbarium's four sections, there are 5,000 niches for remains, and the columbarium is expanding to house a total of 100,000 remains.
According to the official Arlington National Cemetery site, any active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces or American veteran retired from active service is eligible for burial there. Veterans who are retired from the reserves are eligible for burial in Arlington if they served in active duty, reached the age of 60, and drew retired pay.
Also, any former member of the armed forces who was discharged honorably for medical reasons and rated 30% disabled or more prior to October 1, 1949, can be buried in Arlington. Any former member of the armed forces who received one of these decorations is eligible: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, or Purple Heart. In addition, all former presidents of the U.S. are allowed an Arlington burial (only two are currently buried there -- William Taft and John F. Kennedy).
The spouses, minor children, and certain adult children of all those eligible may be buried at Arlington. Spouses of members of the armed forces who were buried at sea or missing in action are also eligible, along with those whose military spouse was buried in an U.S. military cemetery overseas.
The requirements for inurnment in the columbarium at Arlington are slightly different. In addition to active duty service members and veterans, armed forces reservists and members of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps may be entombed in the columbarium if their death occurred under certain conditions. The columbarium is also open to U.S. citizens who served in the armed forces of an American ally during a war in which the U.S. took part. Certain commissioned officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Public Health Service can be inurned in the columbarium.
Arlington does not make interment arrangements before death -- the next of kin must make arrangements at the time of need. Proof of eligibility is required, such as a discharge certificate. The cemetery recommends the next of kin contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to secure necessary documents. A casualty assistance officer will usually help take care of the arrangements for active duty military personnel. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)
Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 01-10-2005 11:21 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - Who invented the electric chair?
According to the links in the Lukol Inventors category, there are several claimants to the title. An inventor named Harold Brown, however, conducted several grisly prototype experiments under the auspices of Thomas Edison, and helped construct the chair used in the first execution.
In 1888, Brown wrote an editorial to the New York Post, describing the "death of a boy who touched a straggling telegraph wire running on AC current." The state was looking for a humane replacement for hanging, a method that had resulted in some gruesome episodes of strangulation and/or decapitation. Subsequently, Brown was hired by Edison to help create the electric chair.
In a canny ploy to blackball his AC competitor Westinghouse, Edison (a DC man) encouraged the use of AC electrical current in electrocution. The idea was to portray AC as incredibly dangerous; he and Brown sacrificed dozens of hapless animals, including a circus elephant, in a brutal smear campaign. It worked.
The world's first execution in 1890 was an unmitigated disaster. The prisoner, a murderer named William Kemmler, had to be jolted twice before he died. A famous New York Herald piece described the smoke, the flames, and the smell: "Strong men fainted and fell like logs on the floor."
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)
Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 01-12-2005 11:10 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - How do you get the smell of cigarette smoke out of walls and fabric?
We visited the links in the Lukol Cleaning category in the hopes of smoking out a few odor- fighting suggestions. Here's what we learned:
Commercial air fresheners only mask odors with an artificial scent and don't provide a long-term solution. Instead, try to prevent and neutralize odors. One of the most effective ways to deal with the smell of cigarette smoke is to air out the room for a short time every day. This will also help prevent new odors from building up. To neutralize the smoke smell, place saucers of white vinegar around the room and near affected furniture. Charcoal or baking powder has a similar effect. Leave it in the room overnight or for several days, preferably with the room closed off. Then thoroughly air out the room again.
To remove the smell from fabrics, such as furniture upholstery, sprinkle the fabric with baking soda. Leave it for a few hours, and then vacuum it off. If you're concerned about baking soda messing up your fine materials, test it first in an inconspicuous area of the fabric. Upholstery shampoo, either a commercial brand or a one you make yourself using liquid dish or laundry detergent and warm water, can also help remove smells from furniture. Be careful that you don't get the furniture too wet while you're cleaning it, and speed the drying by keeping windows open and using a fan. Don't forget the carpets. These can suck up smells too. Sprinkle the carpet with a mixture of 1 cup Borax and 2 cups cornmeal, wait an hour, and then vacuum.
If the odor has really sunk in and these tricks don't help, you'll need to wash all the surfaces of the room thoroughly. Smoke can leave a residue that causes the smell to linger, so you need to wash it away. For painted walls and ceilings, try a solution of 1 gallon of warm water, 1/2 cup plain ammonia, 1/4 cup white vinegar, and 1/4 cup washing soda (which can be found in the laundry additives area of supermarkets). Refresh this solution frequently while washing, and you won't need to rinse. Start at the bottom of a wall and work your way up. How you clean wallpaper will depend on the specific type of paper. Newer vinyl papers can be washed with water, but older papers may be more delicate.
If you have machine-washable curtains or other fabrics in the room, try washing them with heavy-duty, phosphate-based detergent plus 1 cup water conditioner and 1/2 cup bleach. Other fabrics may need to be professionally cleaned.
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)
Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 01-13-2005 01:05 PM
Rated G
Useless fact - My parents said I could get a cat if I can find one that doesn't shed. Can you help?
We hate to break it to you, but all animals with fur shed to some degree. Even humans shed an average of 150 hairs from our heads each day. Shedding is how animals replenish their fur and keep it in good condition. And we've found that a little bit of shedding is a fair trade for the cuddliness of a fluffy cat. According to the links in the Lukol Cat Breeds category, if your parents absolutely forbid fur, your best option is a purebred hairless cat, such as the Sphynx. This unusual cat isn't totally hairless. It has a fine down on its body, rather like the fuzz on a peach. Some people say the skin of a Sphynx feels like suede or chamois. Due to its virtually hairless condition, this cat requires special care. Sphynxs must be bathed frequently because they have no hair to absorb their body oils, so they get dirty quickly. This breed is rare, and there are usually waiting lists for the kittens.
Two cat breeds are often touted as shedding a minimal amount. The Cornish Rex cat has short, curly fur that lies close to its body. The Devon Rex is similar and has curly fur that can be in a very thin coat across the cat's body. Both of these cats may shed less noticeably due to their short, fine fur.
It's important to note that unlike purebred dogs, purebred cats are very uncommon. Only an estimated 1% to 3% of all house cats are purebreds. To find a Sphynx, Cornish Rex, or Devon Rex, you and your parents should visit local cat shows to talk with breeders. You can also look through sites like the Fanciers Breeder Referral List. Interview several breeders, and ask them about the health and welfare of their cats. Expect to pay $300 or more for a purebred kitten, and popular or rare breeds may cost you more.
However, if your parents want a non-shedding cat because they are allergic to cats, a hairless or low-shedding cat might not be the answer. People who are allergic to cats are actually allergic to a glycoprotein called Fel d1 found in the cat's saliva, dander (dried skin flakes), fur, and other places. Getting a cat that doesn't shed or have fur will cut down on the amount of this allergen but won't eliminate it completely.
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)
Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 01-13-2005 01:32 PM
Rated G
Useless fact - We drink water and eat salt. Aside from the taste, why can't we drink sea water?
We visited the links in the Lukol Nutrients category and learned the difference between salt water, which contains concentrations of dissolved salts, and fresh water. Salinity is usually measured by the weight or amount of salt contained in water expressed as "parts per million" or ppm. Water is considered highly saline if it contains anywhere from 10,000-35,000 ppm of dissolved salts. Water is considered fresh if it contains less than 1,000 ppm of salt. In some regions of the United States, slightly saline water is used for tasks like crop irrigation. In regions where an abundant supply of clean, fresh water is difficult to come by, desalinization technologies convert seawater to drinkable fresh water. This is still a very expensive process, although costs are starting to drop, and methods, such as reverse osmosis, are improving. Today, the towns of Avalon and Santa Barbara in California, and Tampa Bay in Florida, are working on desalinization projects.
But that still doesn't answer your question The U.S. government came through again with an answer from the Department of Energy's Ask a Scientist web site. Prof Bill's response is brief and to the point:
Humans can't drink salt water because the kidneys can only make urine that is less salty than salt water. Therefore, to get rid of all the excess salt taken in by drinking salt water, you have to urinate more water than you drank, so you die of dehydration. As is so often the case, this answer raises some new questions. How much salt is too much? Salt, like water, is a key ingredient of life on earth. The right amount of sodium chloride (common table salt) is essential for human health. In fact, our blood is 0.9% salt and our body weight is about 1/400 salt. Living cells depend on sodium chloride to maintain the chemical balances required for complex processes and reactions that take place at the microscopic level.
Insufficient salt intake can lead to fatigue, illness, and death, although it is more common nowadays to hear about health problems associated with too much salt. According to the Salt Institute's encyclopedic site about salt, the National Academy of Sciences' recommended daily dose is 500 mg/day -- though most Americans consume closer to 3,500 mg/day. (A teaspoon of salt equals about 2,000mg.)
Optimal salt intake varies -- it depends on a person's genetic makeup, where they live, how active they are, and other lifestyle factors.
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)
Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 01-24-2005 10:28 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - Was the person behind the Tylenol poisonings in the 1980s ever caught?
As we learned from the links in the Lukol Forensic Science category, unfortunately, the perpetrator of this crime was never caught. Between September 29 and October 1, 1982, seven people in the Chicago area died after taking Extra-Strength Tylenol that was poisoned with cyanide. The victims ranged from a 12-year-old girl to a 35-year-old flight attendant. The tainted Tylenol capsules each contained 65 milligrams of cyanide -- 10,000 times more poison than necessary to kill a person. Two off-duty firemen, Philip Cappitelli and Richard Keyworth, connected the first few deaths within days. They had been listening to information about the cases on their police radios at home.
Investigations ruled out the possibility that cyanide had been introduced into the Tylenol capsules during production. Police believed that someone had bought or stolen the medication from a store, tampered with it, and put it back on store shelves. In January 1983, ABC News reported that the FBI was seeking an unidentified man seen at funerals of three of the victims. But no arrests were ever made in the Tylenol murders case.
Johnson & Johnson, makers of Tylenol, reacted quickly by taking the product off the market. In fact, the company's swift and sympathetic actions are now considered a model of effective crisis management for businesses. The company also offered a $100,000 reward for leads on the murders, but it remains unclaimed.
In November 1982, James Lewis mailed a letter to Johnson & Johnson demanding a $1 million ransom that threatened more Tylenol deaths. Lewis was convicted of extortion for writing the letter, but no evidence was found linking him to the murders. He served 13 years in prison, and while some consider him a prime suspect, he was never charged for the murders.
No motive has been discovered for the Tylenol tampering, although there is speculation about what type of person might do such a thing. The case is officially listed as "unsolved," and the killer may never be caught. However, a few positive results did come out of this tragic event. In 1983, the U.S. Congress passed the Federal Anti-Tampering Act. This legislation made it a federal crime to maliciously tamper with foods, drugs, cosmetics, and other consumer products. Also, since the Tylenol murders, countless manufacturers (beginning with Johnson & Johnson) have added layers of tamper-resistant packaging to their products.
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)
Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 01-26-2005 10:00 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - Are soy candles really better than wax candles?
Well, if you believe the peddlers of the new-fangled votives, soy candles offer a number of benefits over traditional wax candles. Here's what we learned from the links in the Lukol Candles category:
According to Wicks Works, a candle retailer that sells beeswax, soy, and gel candles, soy candles last 50% longer than candles made of petroleum-based paraffin, the ingredient found in most candles. They also burn slower and cooler (helping to better distribute fragrance), are non-toxic, less likely to trigger allergies, clean up with soap and water, and produce very little soot. These factors tend to make them more animal and child- friendly than traditional candles.
Soy wax is also a favorite of environmentally conscious consumers. Made from American-grown soybeans, it's biodegradable, a renewable resource, and from a global point of view, it "supports the U.S. economy instead of foreign oil conglomerates."
Paraffin wax, on the other hand, is made from petroleum and produces carcinogens and soot when burned. In fact, one air quality researcher stated that the soot from a paraffin candle contains many of the same toxins produced by burning diesel fuel. Even many of the seemingly healthy, aromatherapy candles sold today can do more harm than good.
The newly popular gel candles are also petroleum-based and, though contrary to widely circulated emails, they are not likely to explode, they do pose a danger. If sufficient heat builds up, the glass container housing the candle can shatter.
Beeswax is another popular alternative to paraffin candles. It is also less likely to trigger allergies and does not produce toxins or soot when burned. It is generally more expensive than paraffin but burns longer. However, some candles labeled as beeswax may also contain paraffin.
If a candle doesn't explicitly state it is soy on the label, it is probably a paraffin candle. Soy candles appear more opaque with a whitish film.
No matter what type of candle you burn, it's important to remember that youare playing with fire -- literally. So, play it safe next time you want to set the mood for a romantic evening.
[ 01-27-2005, 04:04 PM: Message edited by: Bob Maar ]
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)
Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 01-27-2005 04:05 PM
Rated G
Useless fact - What is the Ark of the Covenant and what is its significance?
All we knew about the Ark of the Covenant was that it killed the Nazis but spared Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark, and we're not even sure why that happened. So we visited the links in the links in the Lukol Biblical Archaeology category hoping to find a less cinematic answer.
In the Biblical book of Exodus, the ark is introduced as the "ark of testimony." God gives precise instructions to the Israelites for building this small box or chest out of wood. It was covered in gold, and on the lid were two golden cherubim with their wings facing each other to form an enclosed area. This central area was called the "mercy seat," and this is where the high priest sprinkled goat's blood on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) to appease God's righteous anger. The mercy seat is where God was supposed to manifest himself as a cloud or bright light.
The two stone tablets upon which the Ten Commandments were written were housed inside the ark. These tablets were called the "law" or "testimony" of God and were tokens of God's covenant with the people of Israel. Thus, the ark held the most important relics of Judaism and was considered the visible sign of God's presence and protection. The ark became a symbol of the incarnate word of God to many Christians as well.
Great and mysterious powers are attributed to the ark. Those who transported it could be supposedly lifted into the air, and some who touched the ark died immediately. The Israelites carried it before them into war -- sometimes this helped them to victory, but not always. The Philistines defeated the Israelites and captured the ark, but they soon returned it because the ark seemed to destroy their own god's idol and made them sick. Perhaps these are the stories to which the Raiders movie alluded.
The Jews carried the Ark of the Covenant during their 40 years of wandering. When they finally settled in Canaan, King David took it to Jerusalem. His son, Solomon, built the Temple of Jerusalem and placed the ark inside. In 586 BCE, the Babylonian emperor Nebuchadrezzar II destroyed the Temple of Jerusalem, and from that point on, the location of the ark is unknown.
One popular theory is that the ark was taken to Ethiopia by the son of the Queen of Sheba and King David. Ethiopian Orthodox Christians believe that they guard the actual ark in the Church of Saint Mary of Zion in Axum. Unfortunately, they do not allow any outsiders to enter their sanctum, so no one can verify these claims.
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)
Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 01-28-2005 09:48 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - Who was Saint Valentine and how did the holiday start? I heard it had a vulgar beginning in Rome.
We didn't find anything vulgar or unseemly in the Lukol Valentine's Day category. But we did uncover some of the myths and legends surrounding this romantic holiday.
The Catholic Church recognizes three different saints named Valentine who were martyred on February 14, and all date from very early in the church's history. One was a priest in Rome, another was the bishop of Interamna (modern-day Terni in Italy), and the third died in Africa. Some suggest the first two are the same person. The holiday was inspired by the bishop of Interamna or a combination of the bishop and the priest of Rome.
Many kind, sometimes miraculous acts are attributed to St. Valentine. One of the most popular legends concerns marriage. The reigning Roman emperor, Claudius, was recruiting soldiers to go to war, but many men didn't wish to leave their wives or girlfriends, so the emperor outlawed new marriages. Valentine defied him by secretly marrying couples, which earned Valentine a prison sentence and, ultimately, death. Another tale (sometimes mixed in with the first one) recounts Valentine's stay in prison, during which he cured the jailer's daughter of blindness. He fell in love with the woman and sent her a final letter signed "from your Valentine." This is why lovers call each other their "valentine."
As is the case with many Christian holidays, Valentine's Day probably incorporates some pagan elements. In ancient Rome, February 15 was the start of a major fertility festival called Lupercalia. This festival was dedicated in part to Juno, the patron goddess of women and marriage. During the celebration boys drew girls' names from an urn. Sometimes, these pairings led to a wedding.
When Christianity became the religion of the Roman Empire, the old pagan festivals were ended. Many people continued to celebrate them, so the Church attempted to change the pagan elements. For Lupercalia, instead of drawing a future mate's name, children drew the names of saints and were supposed to emulate them for the year. The day of St. Valentine's was conveniently close to the old festival day, thus the pagan celebration evolved into a Christian saint's day. Around the year 498, Pope Gelasius made it official by declaring February 14 St. Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Day traditions and stories grew popular over time, particularly in the Middle Ages. The chivalric idea of courtly love fit well with this holiday, and noblemen and women sent love notes and small gifts. By the 17th century, many people in Europe celebrated the holiday. In the Victorian era, mass-produced Valentine's Day cards became available, and they've been a big hit with romantics ever since.
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)
Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-01-2005 07:14 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - What's the difference between eau de toilette and eau de parfum?
Sniffing the links in the Perfumes and Scents category turned up the sweet smell of eau de toilette and eau de parfum, as well as other versions of scented luxury. Most perfumes are complex combinations of natural materials, such as essential oils from plants, and synthetic products that increase the lasting power and heighten the smell. Alcohol is used as a liquid base for perfume, and the ratio of alcohol to scented perfume concentrates determines what the final concoction is labeled.
From highest concentration to least, the different forms of perfume are:
* Perfume, also called extract or extrait perfume, can include 15- 40% perfume concentrates. This is the purest form of scented product and is the most expensive as a result.
* Eau de parfum contains about 7-15% perfume concentrates. This is the most popular and common form of perfume. It provides a long-lasting fragrance and generally doesn't cost as much as extract perfume.
* Eau de toilette has around 1-6% perfume concentrates. This makes for a light scent that doesn't linger as long as the more intense versions. It was originally intended to be a refreshing body splash to help people wake up in the morning.
* Eau de cologne is sometimes used interchangeably with the term eau de toilette. However, the concoction began as the name of a light, fresh fragrance mixed with citrus oils and was made popular by Napoleon. Some perfumers today have a version of this called eau fraiche.
While these are the main classes of perfume, other products are frequently scented with perfume concentrates too. Lotions, creams, powders, body splashes, aftershaves, soaps, and other cosmetic products may contain variable (though usually small) amounts of fragrance. Now that you have your scents straight, we're sure you'll smell like a rose all day!
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