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Author
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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 04-18-2005 02:05 PM
Rated G ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Useless fact - What exactly did Bob Marley die from?
Here's what we learned from the Bob Marley category: The charismatic, beloved Jamaican singer who introduced reggae infused with Rastafarian themes died from a cancerous brain tumor on May 11, 1981, in Miami, Florida. He was only 36 years old. Born on February 6, 1945, to an English father and a Jamaican mother, Robert Nesta Marley grew up in Trenchtown, an impoverished yet comfortable community near Kingston. Along with Peter Tosh, Bunny Livingston, and a few others, Marley went on to form the Wailers in 1964. By the '70s, the group was an international success.
The first indication that something was amiss with Marley's health came in May of 1977. While on tour in France, Marley re- injured a right toe during a soccer game. The injury refused to heal and instead quickly worsened -- the entire nail came off and doctors recommended amputation. Citing religious beliefs, a limping Marley refused the surgery and gamely continued on tour. Later that summer, Marley finally allowed an orthopedic surgeon to perform a skin graft on the toe, and the procedure was deemed "a success."
In September of 1980, a weakened Marley almost fainted onstage while performing in New York. The next day, he collapsed while jogging in Central Park. Marley was diagnosed with a brain tumor (a result of the untreated cancer in his toe) and given less than a month to live. Despite the grim news, Marley played one final show in Pittsburgh before being flown to Miami. There doctors verified that the singer had cancer in the brain, lung, and stomach. Eight months later, Marley passed away.
Marley's death was the cause for much rumor and speculation. Some credited his survival for so long despite the widespread cancer to his marijuana use, while others have attributed his death to nefarious causes.
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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 04-18-2005 02:11 PM
Rated G
Useless fact - What's an effective way to get rid of cellulite?
We turned to the links in the Cellulite Reduction category to answer your question. When it comes to the sensitive subject of cellulite, many people simply accept the inevitable and try to hide the unsightly condition as best they can. Cellulite is the non-scientific term for the condition in which fatty deposits throughout the skin give it a cottage cheese-like appearance. Cellulite is usually visible on the thighs, buttocks, and lower torso, but in extreme cases, it can appear on the arms, calves, and upper torso.
Because of how cellulite is formed and the role estrogen plays in it, the condition primarily affects women. When fat is distributed throughout the body, it can push up against the latticework of collagen fibers that run through the dermal and sub-dermal layers of the skin. The release of estrogen in a woman's body, coupled with an enzyme known as collagenase, slowly wears down these connective collagen fibers, allowing fat to bulge outward into the upper layer of the skin. That is why even slender women can have cellulite. Men rarely develop cellulite because their network of fat cells occurs deeper within the skin.
While reducing overall body fat can improve the appearance of cellulite, liposuction is the primary treatment. However, the surgery is not without risks, and it does not change the structure of the skin so it can't prevent the recurrence of cellulite.
Other short-term remedies with varying degrees of credibility and success include the Endermologie machine (a roller/suction tool used in spas to stimulate circulation in affected areas and "smooth" out the bumps), collagenase inhibiting pills, and topical creams.
It may be easier said than done, but the best cure for your cellulite is to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen and simply accept your body for what it is.
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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 04-20-2005 02:45 PM
Rated G
Useless fact - Why are traffic lights red, yellow, and green?
According to the Driving category, the first crude traffic light was a manually operated gas lantern installed in London around 1868. The signal consisted of two colors -- red meant "stop," while green meant "caution." One day the lantern exploded and injured the policeman who was operating it. It was painfully obvious a more efficient traffic signal was needed.
In 1920 Police Officer William Potts addressed the chaotic traffic of Detroit, Michigan, by co-opting the red, amber, and green automatic traffic light system used on railroads. Around the same time, the prolific African American inventor Garrett Morgan devised and patented the precursor to the automatic traffic lights we use today.
Apparently the colors of red and green were standard in the electrical industry at the time. The makers of railroad signals and traffic lights simply adopted the familiar color scheme.
We can really only speculate as to why these colors were originally used in the industry. An About.com entry on color symbolism points out that different colors evoke different emotions in humans. Red generally symbolizes danger or warning, making it a good choice for "stop." Green is calming to us, probably because it is prolific in nature and a sign of health and abundance, so it might have lent itself to mean "go."
Curiously, yellow or amber, is associated with warmth, happiness, and the sun. Despite these connotations, it was chosen to symbolize "caution." Perhaps because it contrasts well with green and red, and is highly visible without being too harsh on the eyes of motorists. Today, yellow is commonly used as a warning symbol for both traffic signs and alert systems.
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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 04-20-2005 03:22 PM
Rated G
Useless fact - Why is Sears Roebuck listed only as Sears these days? What happened to Roebuck?
We turned to the links in the Major Retailers category to answer your question. Rest assured, Roebuck is still there! Sears, Roebuck & Co is the nation's fifth largest retail firm, with more than 870 full-line department stores and over 289,000 employees. While the company commonly refers to itself as "Sears," you'll notice that the copyright at the bottom of their official site still credits "Sears, Roebuck and Co."
The company history section of the site points out the firm was incorporated as "Sears, Roebuck and Co." in 1893, after an enterprising station agent named Richard Sears teamed up with a Chicago watchmaker named Alvah C. Roebuck. The name has remained the official title of the company ever since.
The company shot to prominence in the late 19th century with its mail order catalog. At the time, general stores throughout isolated rural areas were marking up their inventory as much as one hundred percent. In short -- mom and pop were squeezing out mom and pop.
Thanks to timely improvements in the U.S. mail system, Sears was able to offer an array of goods at cheap prices. Adapting to America's booming car culture, Sears began opening retail stores in the mid-1920s. By 1931, retail sales topped mail-order sales, and Sears heralded in the birth of the department store.
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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 04-21-2005 11:02 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - How do they make non-alcoholic beer?
According to the links in the Drinking category, the term "non-alcoholic beer" is actually a misnomer. There are trace amounts of alcohol in non-alcoholic beer. Then again, you can also find trace amounts of alcohol in orange juice and bread, as a result of the fermentation process. Commercial definitions of non-alcoholic beer (otherwise known as "malted beverage") vary between countries, but it usually contains a maximum of 0.1% to 0.5% alcohol.
Non-alcoholic beer, or "near beer," dates coincidentally enough to the advent of Prohibition in 1919. President Wilson initially tried to reduce the alcohol percentage of beer to around 2.5%, but the Temperance Society would have none of it. In a bizarre twist, non-alcoholic beer was often artificially "spiked" with grain alcohol and sold illegally.
Non-alcoholic beer is brewed as normal beer, but during the finishing stages of the brewing process the alcohol is removed by vacuum evaporation. This process takes advantage of the different boiling points of water and alcohol.
Since alcohol has a very low boiling point, it's relatively easy to evaporate most of the alcohol in a batch of home brew by simply heating it in an oven after it ferments. You can also try to shorten the fermenting process, but that tends to take more flavor away. While most non-alcoholic beers are lagers, there are also some non-alcoholic ales and bitters.
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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 04-21-2005 11:40 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - What actor has appeared in the most movies? I heard it was Gene Hackman.
To find your answer, we headed straight to the Filmmaking category. First, we looked up Gene Hackman in the Internet Movie Database (IMDB), to see if your suspicion was correct. This venerable actor has completed 73 films (not including TV movies) plus one currently in post-production and two uncredited film appearances. That's a respectable number, but it didn't sound record-breaking.
If you're looking for the actor who had the most leading roles in films, Guinness World Records lists John Wayne as tops. The Duke was the leading man in 142 movies.
However, film roles can take many forms, and a voice may be just as important as a face on the screen. The man behind Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig had more movie actor credits to his name than anyone. Mel Blanc performed in 709 films, not including over 100 TV movies and video productions. He also had 81 uncredited voice parts in films.
Of course, these stats only focus on American and European movies. There's a great, big world of filmmaking out there, and India's Bollywood film industry is the most productive on the planet. India made a record of 948 movies in just one year, 1990, and Indian actors regularly make more movies than Hollywood actors.
Right behind Mel Blanc on the IMDB's list of most prolific actors is Adoor Bhasi. Before his death in 1990, Bhasi was featured in 549 films. It's possible that other Indian film actors have been in upwards of 1,000 films, and with Bollywood production steaming along, Bhasi's ranking may be easily surpassed.
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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 04-21-2005 01:39 PM
Rated G
Useless fact - What type of plant does a sesame seed come from?
Would you believe a sesame seed comes from a sesame plant?
According to the Nuts and Seeds category the coveted and tasty seeds from this hardy plant were the first recorded seasoning in history -- the Assyrians used them as far back as 3,000 B.C. For nearly as long, a variety of sesame plants have flourished throughout the rest of Middle East and Asia, where their seeds and oils were used liberally for culinary, medicinal, health, and beauty purposes. Indeed sesame seeds often pop up in Middle Eastern and Asian recipes, like the confection Halva, hummus, or in tasty marinades and dipping sauces.
Known officially as Sesamum indicum, the annual plant reaches heights of 6 feet and sprouts oblong leaves and seed pods. The plant requires a fairly long and warm growing season of four to five months and favors conditions similar to those needed to grow soybeans.
Today, sesame seeds are still in demand the world over. Cultivation in the U.S. is concentrated mostly in southern and western states, while top global producers are China, India, and the West Indies. Not limited to white, the seeds also come in more exotic forms, such as the black, brown, and red varieties.
On an interesting side note, rumor has it the sudden popping sound made when mature sesame seed pods split open is where we get the saying "Open sesame!"
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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 04-22-2005 11:50 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - Where did the wedding custom of "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" come from?
We visited the links in the Wedding Tips category to answer your question. The next line of this old saying actually hints at its origin. The complete phrase is:
Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in her shoe.
A sixpence is a coin that was minted in Britain from 1551 to 1967. It was made of silver and worth six pennies. So this wedding tradition is definitely English, and many sources say that it began in the Victorian era.
Each item in this poem represents a good-luck token for the bride. If she carries all of them on her wedding day, her marriage will be happy. "Something old" symbolizes continuity with the bride's family and the past. "Something new" means optimism and hope for the bride's new life ahead. "Something borrowed" is usually an item from a happily married friend or family member, whose good fortune in marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride. The borrowed item also reminds the bride that she can depend on her friends and family.
As for the colorful item, blue has been connected to weddings for centuries. In ancient Rome, brides wore blue to symbolize love, modesty, and fidelity. Christianity has long dressed the Virgin Mary in blue, so purity was associated with the color. Before the late 19th century, blue was a popular color for wedding gowns, as evidenced in proverbs like, "Marry in blue, lover be true."
And finally, a silver sixpence in the bride's shoe represents wealth and financial security. It may date back to a Scottish custom of a groom putting a silver coin under his foot for good luck. For optimum fortune, the sixpence should be in the left shoe. These days, a dime or a copper penny is sometimes substituted, and many companies sell keepsake sixpences for weddings.
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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 04-22-2005 11:52 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - How does a pilot become one of the Blue Angels? Are they ever sent into combat?
According to the Aviation Performers category, the six pilots who perform daredevil maneuvers in this team are all U.S. Navy or Marine Corps officers. Applicants must be carrier-qualified, tactical jet pilots with 1,350 hours of flight time under their belts. If selected, the pilots serve for two years and are required to continue in the Navy or Marines for an additional two years after they leave the Blue Angels. Every year, several pilots leave the team and must be replaced. Applicants submit detailed forms and records, and candidates visit the squadron to observe a show firsthand. Then the current team members interview finalists at the Naval Air Station Pensacola. The new pilots are selected by unanimous vote of the existing team. The Chief of Naval Air Training chooses the team's commanding officer.
In addition to flight skills and an exemplary military record, a Blue Angel candidate must present a positive face of the Navy and Marine Corps to the general public. This is crucial because the mission of the Blue Angels is to promote recruiting efforts. While individual Blue Angel pilots may have combat experience, the team is not combat squadron. Instead, the Blue Angles are a promotional tool for the military.
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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 04-28-2005 10:21 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - According to aromatherapy, what is the most relaxing scent?
We sniffed around the Aromatherapy category and visited several fragrant links. While we couldn't come up with one absolute answer, we did find some smells that may soothe your stressed or tired nose.
Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential plant oils to improve one's psychological and physical well-being. There's little scientific support for this therapy, but some people find comfort in using natural scents. Aromatherapists and related businesses seem to have slightly different ideas on which essential oils to use for specific ailments.
One scent that kept coming up in our searches as being very relaxing is lavender. This flowering plant has been used for centuries in medicinal concoctions. It's a common ingredient in products aimed at relaxation and stress relief, such as pillows, bath oils, and lotions. Lavender is also a popular scent to use on clothing so the smell lingers with you for long-term soothing. Other frequently recommended scents for stress relief and relaxation include chamomile, ylang ylang, clary sage, bergamot, frankincense, and sandalwood.
However, the ultimate relaxing scent will vary from person to person. Aromatherapists point out that a person's own memories and associations with an aroma can have a positive or negative effect. If a despised teacher always smelled of lavender, you may find the scent unappealing. So you might start with your personal favorite scents when looking for a relaxing aroma.
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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 04-28-2005 10:23 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - Does bottled drinking water go bad?
We went to the Drink category and found an answer of sorts on the web site of Crystal Geyser. In the FAQ section, someone asked why the company's bottle water has an expiration date. The answer explains that some states require all food and beverages, including bottled water, to state an expiration date on the label. The company says, "we feel that an average storage of two years will help ensure optimal quality." They go on to recommend that you store bottled water in a cool and dry environment, away from non-food products.
We turned to the MadSci Network for more information. Answering the question of why bottled water has an expiration date, the site states that over time, the water picks up flavors from its packaging. These flavors, combined with warm storage temperatures, contribute to the "generation of musty tastes."
According to the International Bottled Water Association, the FDA has not established a shelf life for water, so you can store those bottles indefinitely. As long as the packaging is intact and unopened, you shouldn't need to worry about any type of bacteria or microorganisms growing in the water. If the bottle has been opened, however, it can grow bacteria and algae if it is not consumed within 2 weeks.
So while it doesn't appear that unopened bottles of water actually go "bad" in the sense that they would make you sick, they might not taste the greatest after several years of sitting on the shelf collecting dust.
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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 04-28-2005 10:51 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - Why does gargling with salt help a sore throat?
The links in the Common Cold category helped us answer your question. How can such a seemingly simple solution of salt and water cure that sore throat? The answer lies within the very nature of salt. It's a natural dehydrator commonly used in food preservation and preparation. Its ability to draw out the water in foods is the reason pickles retain their tartness and crunch after months in a jar, and also how salmon lox is made.
While salt doesn't exactly pickle your throat, the same principle applies. A sore throat is usually inflamed due to bacteria and other germs wreaking havoc on your soft tissues or mucosa. These inflammations (known as edemas) are usually filled with water, and the salt works its way into your throat. Through osmosis, the salt draws out the edema fluid, killing the bacteria, which requires a warm, wet environment.
While the relief from pain and swelling is real, gargling with salt doesn't necessarily cure the ailment. Also, the principle of too much of a good thing can apply. While the warm water and salt grains dancing in your throat may feel good, too much salt can harm your mucosa. Gargle in moderation, then go see a doctor if your symptoms persist.
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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 04-29-2005 01:26 PM
Rated G
Useless fact - What is the most common last name in the world?
According to the links in the Genealogy category, the world's most common surname (not surprisingly, considering the numbers) is Chang or Zhang.
There are approximately 100 million Zhangs. The name is roughly 4,700 years old. In all of Mainland China, there are only 438 last names. Chinese surnames were originally based on geography.
Here are the top five last names in the United States, according to the 1990 data from the U.S. Census Bureau: Smith, Johnson, Williams, Jones, and Brown. There are around 3 million Smiths in the U.S., and they've held the top spot for the last 13 years.
Zhang ranks pretty low on the list of American surnames - 2292nd. Perhaps more tellingly, Garcia and Martinez rank 18th and 19th, respectively.
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