Did you know…. A fun, and very simple game.

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Did you know.....

Since 1978, 37 people have died by Vending Machine's falling on them

13 people are killed annually. All this while trying to shake merchandise out of them. 113 people have been injured.

A 1995 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission study found that at least 37 deaths and 113 injuries occurred due to falling vending machines between 1978 and 19959. These full-size machines can weigh over 450 kilograms (990 pounds), create a serious risk when tilt.

The reason vending machines are dangerous isn't because they're inherently deadly devices—it's because frustrated customers resort to shaking, rocking, and tilting these heavy machines when things go wrong. 

The most tragic part? These incidents are completely preventable. People don't attack vending machines out of malice—they do it out of frustration when the customer service experience fails them. When a machine "steals" their money or fails to deliver their purchase, customers feel they have no recourse but to take matters into their own hands.

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Did you know.....

If we had the same mortality rate now as in 1900, more than half the people in the world today would not be alive

While an exact number is impossible to determine, the claim that more than half the people currently alive would not be if 1900 mortality rates still applied is highly likely to be correct. The dramatic decrease in infant mortality is the primary reason for this, alongside overall higher life expectancy.

The mortality rate for children under five has plummeted from 40% two hundred years ago to just 3.7% today. In 1901, about 1 in 7 infants in England and Wales died. By 1973, that figure had fallen to 1 in 59. If a comparable infant mortality rate of around 150 deaths per 1,000 live births from 1900 were still in effect, the number of people surviving to adulthood would be significantly lower.

In 1900, the global average life expectancy was only 32 years. Thanks to vast improvements in medicine, public health, and living standards, that figure had more than doubled to 73 years by 2023. This means many more people are surviving into middle and old age than was possible in 1900.

In 1900, infectious diseases like influenza, pneumonia, and tuberculosis were the leading causes of death, especially for the young. Today, these diseases are largely treatable in developed countries, and deaths are more commonly caused by degenerative diseases in older populations, such as heart disease and cancer.

The survival rate to age 60 has skyrocketed: Comparing successive generations shows just how much survival rates have increased. For instance, 94% of men born in 2022 are expected to survive to age 60, compared to only 59% of men born in 1905. The same trend is seen in women, where the survival rate increased from 66% to 96% over the same period.

This means the population alive today is both much larger and older on average than it would be under 1900 mortality conditions, making it safe to conclude that a large portion of the current population would not have survived.

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Did you know.....

The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket

The invention of the microwave oven is credited to Percy Spencer, an engineer at Raytheon, who in 1945 noticed a chocolate bar in his pocket melt while he was working near an active radar magnetron tube. 

He then built an enclosed metal box and placed food inside, creating the first true microwave oven. The first commercial microwave, named the "Radarange," was developed by Raytheon in 1947.

Today, 90 percent of American homes have microwave ovens. And though Spencer never profited from his patent on the device.

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Did you know.....

The Black Death reduced the population of Europe by one third in the period from 1347 to 1351

The Black Death is estimated to have reduced the population of Europe by one-third between 1347 and 1351, with modern estimates ranging from one-third to one-half of the total population during that period. 

This devastating pandemic resulted in the deaths of an estimated 25 to 50 million people across Eurasia and North Africa, peaking in Europe between 1347 and 1351.

The total number of deaths in Europe is estimated to be between 25 and 50 million, or roughly one-third to one-half of the population.

While the overall figure for Europe was about one-third, some of the most severely affected areas may have lost up to 80% of their population.

Records from places like England suggest that the population was about half of what it was before 1348, and about 1,000 villages were depopulated or disappeared entirely.

The plague was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which can result in septicemic, pneumonic, and bubonic forms of the plague.

Humans usually become infected through the bite of an infected rodent, flea or by handling an infected animal. Plague can be cured with antibiotics, but these must be given promptly to prevent serious illness or death.

[uk666]

Did you know.....

How long commercial airplane would take to reach each planet, if possible, typical cruising speed 900 km/h (559 mph)

A commercial airplane could not actually fly to other planets because there is no atmosphere in space to support flight, nor does it have the necessary technology to leave Earth's gravity well or survive the conditions of space. 

However, if we imagine a hypothetical scenario where an airplane could travel through space at its typical cruising speed of approximately 900 km/h (559 mph) in a direct line, it would take an extraordinary amount of time to reach the other planets. 

The following estimated travel times are based on the average distances between Earth and each planet:

• Venus 6.5 years
• Mercury 11.5 years
• Mars 26 years
• Jupiter 82 years
• Saturn 173 years
• Uranus 362 years
• Neptune 537 years

These vast times highlight the immense scale of the solar system and the limitations of conventional Earth-bound travel methods for interplanetary distances. Actual spacecraft missions use highly efficient, high-speed trajectories and gravity assists to reach these destinations much faster (e.g., a few months for Venus or Mars, and several years for the outer planets)

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Did you know.....

The longest beard ever recorded belonged to Hans Langseth, which measured 17.5 feet at the time of his death

An extreme case far beyond what the average man could grow.

If you assume you have an average growth rate, then your beard could top off anywhere between one and three feet if you let it run free.

Your beard’s maximum length is entirely a matter of genetics… or fate, if you'd rather. You can’t change either one. So, the only way to truly know is to put that razor down and let nature take its course.

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Did you know.....

The first animal to be domesticated by humans was the dog

The dog was the first animal to be domesticated by humans, predating other domesticated animals by thousands of years. 

Evidence suggests dogs were domesticated from wolves, with domestication likely beginning at least 15,000 years ago, though some studies indicate it may have started even earlier

Wolves are among the earliest animals to be domesticated. However, the mechanism by which ancient wolves were domesticated into modern dogs is unknown. 

Most of the prevailing domestication hypotheses posit that humans selectively bred wolves that were more docile. However, a competing hypothesis states that wolves that were less hostile towards humans would essentially domesticate themselves by naturally selecting for tamer wolves since that would allow for easier access to food from human

The domestication of dogs began long before the advent of agriculture and the domestication of animals like sheep, goats, and cattle.

The horse was the last important animal to be domesticated. The only species of wild horse still living are Przhevalski's horse, very small numbers of which survive in the wild in western Mongolia, and the Riwoche horse, a few of which survive in northeastern Tibet.

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Did you know.....

Hong Kong holds the most Rolls Royce’s per capita

The claim that Hong Kong holds the most Rolls-Royce cars per capita is widely reported. This is due to the city's high concentration of wealth, with many millionaires and billionaires who view the luxury cars as a status symbol, reflecting a culture of wealth and prestige. 

Hong Kong is a global financial hub with a large number of millionaires and billionaires. For many in the city's elite, a Rolls-Royce is a symbol of success and status. The city has a strong market for luxury goods, including designer items, real estate, and luxury cars like Rolls-Royces.

Hong Kong is home to some of the world's most expensive Rolls-Royces, including the one-off Rolls-Royce Sweptail, which cost an estimated $13 million and was commissioned by a Hong Kong-based real estate magnate. 

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Did you know.....

New Zealand is the "stolen car capital of the world"

According to a Wikipedia entry referencing data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, New Zealand had the highest auto-theft rate for any "fairly large country" in the world, with 954.0 thefts per 100,000 residents in 2020. 

Other sources, using data from different time periods, have cited other places such as Denmark (2016 data), Uruguay (2014 data), or the United States as having the highest rates. 

The high rate in New Zealand has been attributed to several factors:

1. A generally low overall crime rate has led to lax security habits among residents (e.g., leaving keys in cars or unlocked).
2. The prevalence of older, lower-value cars that lack modern security features like immobilizers, making them easier to steal.
3. Increased theft in recent years linked to activities like ram raids and joyriding. 

While the exact "capital" title may shift depending on the year and data source, New Zealand is consistently noted as having a significant and disproportionately high car theft problem relative to its population size compared to many other developed nations.

[uk666]

Did you know.....

Dolphins sleep with one eye open

Dolphins sleep with one eye open because they practice unihemispheric slow-wave sleep, a state where half their brain sleeps at a time while the other half remains awake. This allows them to continue breathing, remain alert to predators and potential hazards, and stay in contact with their pod while resting.

Dolphins can only shut down one hemisphere of their brain at a time. The eye connected to the hemisphere that is awake remains open, while the other eye is closed. The awake hemisphere helps dolphins perform essential functions like surfacing to breathe; a behaviour they must do consciously since they don't have a diaphragm like humans. 

The open eye and awake brain hemisphere allow them to monitor their environment for predators like sharks, hear sounds, and stay aware of dangers, which is crucial for a prey animal. In pods, this allows some dolphins to rest while others remain alert to protect the group, ensuring the group stays together and safe.

[uk666]

Did you know.....

A higher IQ is associated with enhanced cognitive abilities

What a higher IQ can mean:

1. Better decision-making: People with higher IQs tend to make more realistic predictions and have fewer judgment errors. 
2. Strong cognitive abilities: A higher score often indicates a strong ability to learn and solve complex problems.
3. Longer lifespan: Some studies suggest a correlation between higher IQ and a lower risk of illness and death.

On an IQ scale:

1. Average: 85-115
2. Superior: 120-129
3. Gifted: 130 and above
4. Very gifted: 140 and above

 YoungHoon Kim is frequently cited as having the highest IQ, with a score of 276. His score has been validated by several organizations, and he holds positions with groups like the United Sigma Intelligence Association. Determining the single "smartest person in the world" is difficult because intelligence is multifaceted and IQ scores are not always directly comparable. 

Lifestyle choices like a healthy diet, exercise, and avoiding harmful substances may positively influence long-term cognitive abilities.

[uk666]

Did you know.....

firehouses used to have spiral or circular staircases specifically to prevent the horses from climbing to the upper living quarters

In the days of horse-drawn fire engines, the horses were stabled on the ground floor with the apparatus, while the firefighters' living quarters and hayloft were located on the upper levels. 

The horses, attracted by the smell of food, learned to navigate straight staircases. To counter this, fire departments installed narrow spiral stairs, which horses found difficult or impossible to climb. 

This design, however, slowed down the firefighters when they had to descend quickly for an alarm. This problem led to the invention of the fire pole in Chicago in 1878, which allowed firefighters to get to the ground floor much faster.

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Did you know.....

Vatican City's resident population is well under 1,000 people

Vatican City is the world's smallest country by population and land area. In 2024, the resident population was estimated to be 882, though some sources provide slightly different numbers. Many citizens live abroad while working for the Holy See. 

As of 2024, Vatican City had an estimated resident population of 882 people. Additional 372 Vatican citizens reside outside the city-state, primarily as diplomats for the Holy See.

The population of Vatican City includes clergy, religious members, lay employees of the state (like the Swiss Guard), and their families. In 2013, 13 families of Holy See employees lived in Vatican City, and by 2019, 20 children of Swiss Guards resided there. 

Vatican does not have hospitals or delivery rooms and does not grant citizenship by birth, but by appointment to work for the Holy See. Although births may occur in Vatican apartments, these are not officially registered within the Vatican's jurisdiction. 

While people working for the Vatican may live in residential apartments within the city-state, births that happen there are not officially registered as being within the Vatican's jurisdiction.

All citizens, residents, and places of worship are Catholic. The city also hosts thousands of tourists and daily workers.

Historically, women in Vatican City faced significant restrictions, including the inability to open a bank account. However, during the tenures of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, there was a notable shift towards recognizing the value of women within the Vatican.

Pope Benedict XVI appointed Ingrid Stampa, a woman, as one of his assistant editors and confidential advisers.

On April 21, 2013, Pope Francis planned to appoint more women to key positions within the Vatican. In May 2019, he made a significant move by appointing three women as consultors to the General Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops on Young People, Faith, and Vocational Discernment.

Despite these advancements, women are still not permitted to be ordained as priests or bishops. However, a commission is currently examining the possibility of allowing women to serve as unordained deacons.

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Did you know.....

You were born with 300 bones, but by the time you are an adult you will only have 206

A newborn has 275 to 300 bones, while most adults have 206. Here’s why: As a baby grows, their smaller bones join together to create larger bones.

As a person grows, these smaller bones and cartilage fuse together to form the 206 bones of an adult skeleton, a process that continues into adulthood. This fusion is essential for allowing a baby to pass through the birth canal and for supporting growth. 

Babies are born with approximately 300 bones, many of which are made of softer, more flexible cartilage.

As a child grows, these bones and cartilage harden and fuse together into larger, stronger bones.

Bones are living tissue, and your body is always working to generate new bone. So, don’t forget about bone health as your child grows into a teenager and an adult. Adults of every age need physical activity, vitamins and minerals to prevent bone thinning.

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Did you know.....

The shortest war in history was between Zanzibar and England in 1896. Zanzibar surrendered after 38 minutes

The Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896 was the shortest war in history, lasting between 38 and 45 minutes. The conflict occurred after the pro-British Sultan of Zanzibar died and his cousin, Khalid bin Barghash, seized power without British approval. 

When Khalid refused to abdicate, British warships bombarded the palace, forcing his surrender. 

The war was triggered by a succession dispute in Zanzibar. The British had a preferred candidate, but Khalid took the throne without their consent. After Khalid refused to step down, the British Royal Navy opened fire on the palace with warships in the harbour.

The bombardment was over quickly, and the palace was heavily damaged, leading to Zanzibar's surrender. Despite its short duration, the war was deadly, with approximately 500 Zanzibari casualties, while only one British sailor was injured.

Conclusion, new British-approved sultan was installed, and the British imposed reparations on Khalid's supporters to cover the cost of the shells fired.

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Did you know.....

Golden Eagle's "Grand Silk Road" journey is among the world's most expensive tickets in the world

For luxury travel, the Golden Eagle's "Grand Silk Road" journey is among the world's most expensive, at around £38,900 per person.

The 22-day journey is a significant time commitment, covering a vast distance through China and Central Asia.

Luxury experience includes high-end amenities like en-suite bathrooms, fine dining, and exclusive tours at a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The route travels from Beijing, through China and Central Asia, taking in destinations like Xi'an, Dunhuang, Samarkand, and Bukhara.

Prices for the Golden Eagle luxury train vary significantly depending on the specific journey, itinerary, and cabin class, with 8-day trips starting around £14,775 per person.
 
for longer, more comprehensive journeys costing over £21,000. For example, a 14-day "Republics of the Silk Road" tour starts at £21,600 for the Silver Class cabin and £50,700 for the Imperial Suite in 2026. 

Prices are generally per person based on two people sharing a cabin, with single occupancy incurring a supplement.

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Did you know.....

Studies have shown that children laugh an average of 300 times/day and adults 17 times/day

Making the average child more optimistic, curious, and creative than the adult.

Children are naturally gifted with laughter. However, as we get older, we often begin to lose our tendency to laugh. William F. Fry, Professor Emeritus at Stanford University observed, “The average Kindergartener laughs 300 times a day while the average adult laughs only 17 times a day.” This is a serious problem folks! Laughter is essential for the quality of our lives, especially during times of stress and uncertainty.
 
We have often heard the phrase, “Laughter is good medicine.” Numerous studies have been conducted on the effects of humour and laughter. Both humour and laughter can be effective self-care tools to help us cope with stress, especially in the workplace.

Here are just a few health benefits related to laughing:

1. Improves your mood – can lessen depression, anxiety and help you relax.
2. Improves your immune system – positive thoughts from laughter release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses. Laughter boosts the number of antibody-producing cells, which leads to a stronger immune system.
3. Activates multiple organs – stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles.
4. Laughter causes the release of beta-endorphins in the hypothalamus, which leads to the release of nitric oxide, which dilates the vessels. And there’s more. Nitric oxide is a chemical that also protects the heart by reducing inflammation and preventing the formation of cholesterol plaque.

Laughing is much more than an emotional response to something funny; it also evokes a physical response. Laughing exercises several muscles in the body, including your abdomen, back, shoulders, and facial muscles. 

Also, laughter is a great workout for your respiratory system! Much like physical activity, such as running, which increases the endorphins that are released by your brain, laughter has the same effect on your body.

So, in addition to healthy eating and exercise, add some time for laughter throughout your day to improve your health.

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Did you know.....

2,000 to 3,000 quarter pounders can be made from 1 cow

A single cow can yield enough meat for approximately 2,000 to 3,000 quarter-pound burgers, depending on the cow's size and how much of the meat is used for ground beef. The meat from multiple cows is mixed together in massive batches to create burgers, which is why your lunch might come from more than just one cow.

A live cow of about 1,200 to 1,400 pounds will yield roughly 500 to 750 pounds of meat after processing. This is because only a portion of the cow's total meat is ground for patties; the rest is used for other cuts like steaks.

Buying from local farms offers a refreshing contrast to big meat corporations, they ensure that every burger comes from just one cow. They explained, "When people get beef from us, they are getting every part of that cow. 

No matter what type of cuts they choose, that one cow is all they're getting." This means that instead of a blend of beef from multiple animals, you're enjoying meat that reflects the entire lifecycle of a single cow, from birth to burger — a process that they say takes up to 20 months.

[uk666]

Did you know.....

Our noses and ears get bigger as we age but it's not due to continuous bone growth

Most people stop growing sometime around the age of 20. By this time, our skeletons have reached their final size, and the growth plates between bones have fused closed. Once that happens, there is no way for the bones to grow anymore. 

The only bones that continue to get larger are the skull and the pelvis.

As we age, our nose and our ears do get bigger, but not because they continuous growing. The real reason is a common scientific force known as GRAVITY. 

The result is drooping. So, what appears to be growth is just gravity doing its job. Our noses and our earlobes sag and become larger. Adding to the misconception is what happens to other parts of our face. While our nose might sag, our cheeks and lips actually lose volume, making everything else look comparatively larger.

Unfortunately, aging and gravity are both unavoidable. Our only defence against this natural occurrence is finding the fountain of youth or moving to the moon.

[uk666]

Did you know.....

If California were a country, its economy would rank as the fifth largest in the world

While the exact ranking can fluctuate, California's economy is consistently among the largest globally, driven by strong sectors like technology, entertainment, and agriculture. California surpassing countries like the United Kingdom, France, and Brazil.

[uk666]

Did you know.....

Fireworks were invented in ancient China, around the 7th century/9th century

where early versions involved burning bamboo to create loud bangs that were believed to scare away evil spirits. This evolved as Chinese alchemists accidentally discovered that mixing charcoal, sulphur, and saltpetre created a powerful explosive, which they later packed into bamboo tubes to make primitive fireworks.

One of the most iconic uses of fireworks in the UK is, of course, Bonfire Night. Celebrated every year on November 5th, this tradition dates back to 1605 when Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament. 

After the infamous Gunpowder Plot was foiled, people across England lit bonfires to celebrate the safety of King James I. Over time, fireworks were incorporated into the festivities, symbolising the explosives Fawkes intended to use.

But there’s more to Bonfire Night than meets the eye. While most people today associate the event with fireworks, bonfires, and effigies of Fawkes, the origins of the celebration are linked to much older traditions.

The bright lights and loud bangs were thought to purify the air and protect homes from bad luck or hauntings during the dark, colder months of the year.

[uk666]

Did you know.....

The sun (specifically, ultraviolet or UV radiation) is the primary cause for most skin cancers

Over 95% of skin cancers are caused by exposure to UV radiation. This includes both natural sunlight and artificial sources like sunbeds.

For the most serious type of skin cancer, melanoma, up to 9 in 10 cases (90%) in the UK could be prevented by staying safe in the sun and avoiding sunbeds.

Approximately 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers are associated with UV exposure. Overall, around 4 in 10 UK cancer cases every year (roughly 40%) are preventable, with smoking being the largest cause of cancer, followed by being overweight/obese, and then UV exposure. 

While sun exposure is a major public health concern and the leading preventable cause of skin cancer, it does not account for a third of all cancer types (such as lung, breast, bowel, etc.).

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Did you know.....

Benedict Arnold became synonymous with treason and betrayal in the United State

Benedict Arnold was a general in the American Continental Army during the Revolutionary War who became a traitor by switching his allegiance to the British.

He was a distinguished military officer early in the war, known for his bravery at battles like the capture of Fort Ticonderoga and the Battles of Saratoga, but grew disillusioned with the army after being overlooked for promotions. 

He was court-martialled for misconduct, which further fuelled his resentment. In 1780, he plotted to surrender the American fort at West Point to the British, a plot that was discovered, leading him to flee and join the British Army.

Arnold's plot was discovered in September 1780 when his co-conspirator, British spy John André, was captured with incriminating documents. André was captured, tried, and hanged.

Arnold fled to the British lines just before he could be arrested. 

He then served as a brigadier general in the British Army, leading raids against the American forces and his former comrades. 

Even in death, Benedict Arnold could not return to his native Norwich, Connecticut, for burial in the family plot. In fact, his name was considered so evil that locals there defaced all the family graves except his mother’s.

Why would anyone call Benedict Arnold an American patriot? Yet that’s how he’s described on a London historic marker. And at his final resting place, St Mary’s, Battersea a stained-glass window and a marble headstone commemorate him. 

This pretty 18th-century church beside the Thames in southwest London is where Benedict Arnold, his second wife and his daughter are buried There, a stained-glass window mentions the two nations he served uniting in friendship.

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Did you know.....

Most expensive individual Lego pieces ever sold

The piece we're talking about is a 14-karat gold piece called the Bionicle Golden Kanohi Hau mask.

A solid gold Hau is considered extremely rare. Produced in solid 14 carat gold, 30 of them were made and distributed in 2001 to employees at LEGO and contest winners. A chain ran through two holes in the slot at the top of the mask, so it doubled as a necklace.

The staff listed the item on their retail platform, ShopGoodwill, when they were suddenly inundated with offers. “We didn’t know it was worth anything until people started asking if they could buy it for $1,000,” said Smith.

The piece was auctioned off in February. It was initially won by a bid of $33,000 but the buyer failed to cough up the money, so it was re-listed. After another round of 48 bids, it sold for $18,101, making it one of the most expensive individual Lego pieces ever sold.

[uk666]

Did you know.....

Blaise Pascal was the original inventor of the calculator

Pascaline, the first calculator or adding machine to be produced in any quantity and actually used. The Pascaline was designed and built by the French mathematician-philosopher Blaise Pascal between 1642 and 1644.

It could only do addition and subtraction, with numbers being entered by manipulating its dials. Pascal invented the machine for his father, a tax collector, so it was the first business machine too (if one does not count the abacus).

Pascal was just 19 years old when he developed the earliest version of a calculator, he built 50 of them over the 10 years but there are only nine of these machines still in existence.