12 Farm-Fresh Trivia Tidbits for Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Mount Everest Is Still Growing
Geologists believe that the merging of two major rivers has created a gorge that’s eroding the bottom of the mountain, causing its overall height to grow by 164 feet over the last 89,000 years.
The Vikings Had a Worse Commute Than You
A study has found that Vikings fueled a worldwide ivory trade by sailing thousands of miles into the Arctic to hunt walrus in modern-day Greenland.
Glacial Melt Is Forcing Countries to Redraw Their Borders
The border between Switzerland and Italy was partly drawn based on glacier ridgelines. But 25 percent of the glacier beneath the Matterhorn has melted, forcing the countries back to the drawing board.
The Furthest Manned Spaceflight
Four NASA astronauts are preparing for a 2025 mission around the moon, which will shoot them further away from Earth than any human has ever been.
The First Country to Use Coal Power Has Gone Coal-Free
The U.K. began using Thomas Edison’s coal plant to power street lamps in 1882. In 2024, they closed down their last coal plant, one year ahead of schedule.
The Running World’s First Triple Crown
Thirty-eight-year-old Courtney Dauwalter became the first person to win the three most prestigious 100-mile races in the world. Her approach to running is to Forrest Gump it: She doesn’t have a coach, a training plan or even a diet, she just runs.
New Weird Shark Just Dropped
Scientists discovered a brand new species of hammerhead shark, although instead of a hammer, its dome is remarkably shovel-shaped.
How Much Would You Pay to Live Where the Magna Carta Was Signed?
The historic manor on a private island (called Magna Carta Island) in the River Thames was just listed for $6 million.
Flossing Your Teeth Helps With Your Boner Health
Men in their 30s who have gum disease are three times more likely to have symptoms of erectile dysfunction. Flossing your teeth is an extremely effective way to avoid gum disease.
What Are the Best (and Worst) American Cities for Foodies?
Looking at data on affordability, accessibility, diversity, cost and number of food festivals per capita, a recent study put Orlando, San Francisco and Miami at the top of the list. Nampa, Idaho, Montgomery, Alabama and Pearl City, Hawaii are camping out at the bottom.
The U.S. Navy Invented T-Shirts
Prior to the Spanish-American War, most shirts worldwide were pretty button-dependent. The Navy started giving its soldiers plain white T-shirts to be used as undergarments, and as they traveled the world in the early 20th century, people saw them hanging out in their underwear and thought: These dudes look cool as hell.
The First President to Reach 100
On October 1, 2024, Jimmy Carter became the first ex-president centenarian. America is less than three Jimmy Carters old.