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25 Random Bits of Trivia We Collected From Question-Mark Boxes Strewn About Our Two-Dimensional World

It’s not such a mystery when every box contains a fact

25 Random Bits of Trivia We Collected From Question-Mark Boxes Strewn About Our Two-Dimensional World

July 25, 2024

Whether it’s The Riddler, game shows or countless video-game developers, people love leaving mystery boxes around for us to find. That little rush you get while imagining what’s inside is cool, but you have to wonder about the strange little thrill they get from doing so. Do they think they’re better than us by knowing something we don’t?

We promise not to put you through any of that, though. Every box you’ll find from us has a fact in it. We already opened it for you, too. So no guessing necessary!

Click right here to get the best of Cracked sent to your inbox.

25

Ruth Bader Ginsburg's photo makes a cameo in Deadpool 2. She's one of the candidates Deadpool's considering for X-Force. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

24

The plane wreck in Tenet was filmed by wrecking an actual Boeing 747. Turns out that option was cheaper than CGI or miniatures. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

23

At $5,000 a pound, saffron is easily the world's most expensive spice. It's because each pound takes approximately 75,000 flowers, which must each be hand-picked. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

22

The Michelin Man is white because early rubber tires were white. In 1912, companies started adding carbon to make the tires more durable. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

21

Sam Neill asked that the Australian flag on his uniform in Event Horizon be modified. Instead of the Union Jack, he wanted an aboriginal flag. SA EIR Не thinks it's a change that'll happen by 2047, when the film takes place. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

20

In the 1850s, American fire departments started outfitting their stations with spiral staircases. Seems the horses who pulled the engines kept climbing the stairs when they smelled food. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

19

61% of Americans dread the holidays, because of the cost. And 75% of parents worry about disappointing their kids. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

18

Tater tots were invented to use up leftover potato chunks in the Ore-Ida factory. They get their shape by being extruded Play-Doh- style and sliced. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

17

25 Random Bits of Trivia We Collected From Question-Mark Boxes Strewn About Our Two-Dimensional World — Source

16

In Endgame, Cap catches Mjolnir in a fluid motion, while Thor extends his hand and catches it in a dead stop. That's because Cap is used to adjusting for recoil as he catches his shield. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

15

As many as three U.S. presidents may have died because of contaminated water at the White House. Before 1850, there was a night soil depository (read: a field of human poop) upstream from the White House's water supply. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

14

In Troy, Brad Pitt and Eric Bana didn't use stunt doubles, and agreed to pay each other cash if they accidentally hit each other: $100 for a hard hit; $50 for a light tap. Pitt had to pay Bana $750. Bana didn't have to pay Pitt anything. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

13

The spikes on the Statue of Liberty's crown don't represent the seven seas. Or the seven continents, for that matter - they're just sun rays, and the circle represents a halo, which indicates she's divine. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

12

Meat sealed in a vacuum pack is naturally purplé, they just color it red to make it look better. That's done because purple meat looks pretty weird to consumers, of course - so carbon monoxide, rosemary extract and/or nitrite are added. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

11

The fearsome Blackbeard was only active for a grand total of two years. He's first mentioned as a pirate in 1716 (he was a privateer from 1701 to 1713), and they caught and killed him in 1718 8 - - and that was that. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

10

Medieval knights' training regimen could be incredibly physically demanding. One French knight had a regimen that involved things like jumping onto a horse and climbing a ladder on the underside, all in full armor. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

9

Cowboys

At least on some trails in Texas, about 25% of all cowboys you'd see were Black. Turns out, Black cowboys were a lot more plentiful in the Old West than Western shows and movies would lead you to conclude. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

8

Egyptian medicine was. surprisingly specialized, and they even had proctologists. The Egyptian term for those literally translates to shepherd of the anus. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

7

The Salem witch trials might have been caused by hallucinogenic fungus. Ergot can get into bread and can make you see weird things while suffering spasms - basically, you look bewitched. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

6

A Chinese businessman hired a hitman, who hired a hitman who hired another, who hired another. The fifth hitman simply asked the man to fake his death. Ponzi scheme done. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

5

Snoop Dogg employs a professional blunt roller he pays $40-50k annually. About employing people with talent, Snoop says, If you are great at something I need, I am hiring you. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

4

In the 1960s Batman series, Batman and Robin buckled their seatbelts before taking off in the Batmobile. This occurred after a complaint by the National Safety Council & the Dynamic Duo set a good example thereafter. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

3

Methamphetamine was used as an antidepressant from the 1930s to the 1950s. Gordon Alles patented the drug after being injected with it. Не said it made him more talkative and imparted a sense of well-being. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

2

Great Britain is annually responsible for 63 Independence Day celebrations around the world. That averages to about one every six days. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

1

When The Hobbit came out, fans reported feeling literally sick after viewing it. Apparently the trilogy's 48-per-second frame rate causes nausea. NOW YOU KNOW CRACKED.COM — Source

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