The world is a massive place where many things are still left unexplored.
If you’re one of those people who like learning new and bizarre things about the world and the lives of the people living in it, you will find these 17 weirdest but true facts fascinating.
1. Eighty Percent of Soviet Males Born in 1923 Didn’t Survive the World War II
Many died during World War II, and a huge chunk of those deaths belonged to the Soviets. Eighty percent of Soviet males born in 1923 served in the military at that time and didn’t survive the war.
The other twenty percent? They either immigrated or hid away.
2. Tsutomu Yamaguchi Survived Atomic Bombing Twice and Lived
A Japanese man named Tsutomu Yamaguchi was on a business trip in Hiroshima when the atomic bomb dropped. After surviving minor injuries, he returned home to Nagasaki, where another bomb was dropped.
With both bombings, his survival was astonishing, and he lived well into his 90s to tell the tale.
3. Lighters Were Invented Before Matches
Lighters were invented way before matches, but they were only used as lanterns. The strike pad and phosphorus glue were both developed after some time.
It might seem weird, but it actually makes sense.
4. A Samurai Could Have Sent a Fax to Abraham Lincoln
In the year 1965, the first commercial fax service was initiated. It’s also the year when samurais were still around, and Abraham Lincoln was still alive.
Some say it’s impossible because of the distance, but who knows? Nobody actually cared enough to try. It would have been awesome.
5. Sharks Are Older Than Both Trees and the Rings of Saturn
Sharks are older than they look. They are older than trees and even older than the rings of Saturn and so much more.
6. Pocahontas and William Shakespeare Died Less Than a Year Apart and Within 150 Miles of Each Other
Pocahontas and William Shakespeare seem to be from two different dimensions and fairy tales. The wide truth, though, is that they actually died just a year apart from each other. They also spent their last days 150 miles of each other.
If you’re wondering, yes, both of them actually exist.
7. “Häagen-Dazs” Has No Meaning in Any Language
Häagen-Dazs is a popular ice cream brand, but technically, the word itself actually has no meaning at all. It was made up to sound European by Polish immigrant Reuben Mattus when he started his horse-drawn ice cream cart.
It sounded a bit German or Danish when it’s actually not. A branding with no meaning sounds bold.
8. Salamanders Are “Summoned” by Fire
Salamanders are always associated with fire in folklore. The truth though is that they love to hide in decaying wood, which people love to burn.
Without noticing them in the first place, salamanders crawl out of the burnt wood and coals only when the wood is on fire.
9. Jimmy Carter Left Nuclear Codes in His Jacket
President Jimmy Carter is said to often leave the nuclear codes in his jackets. These jackets are often sent to the cleaners together with the codes.
It’s a good thing the laundryman either didn’t care or didn’t know what it was in the first place.
10. Jimmy Carter Walked Into a Melting Nuclear Reactor Core
Jimmy Carter is quite a historical president who walked into a melting nuclear reactor core with his team just to shut it down. He was affected by radioactivity so much that his pee was glowing. But he was able to outlive his presidential successor and even the next one.
11. Timespan of Copper Swords and Steel Swords > Timespan of Steel Swords and Nuclear Bombs
The gap between the invention of steel swords and nuclear bombs is significantly shorter than the gap of the time of invention between copper swords and steel swords.
It seems like when the wheel of invention turns, it’s unstoppable.
12. Bats Help Pollinate the Agave Plant
Bats act as excellent pollinators of the agave plant. This means that bats help, too, in the production of tequila as that’s made of agave.
13. You Could Be a Carrier for Any Number of Genetic Diseases and Not Ever Know It
Without knowing, you could be unlucky enough to be a carrier of several genetic diseases. Some diseases can be checked through newborn screening, but there are so many more that cannot be detected.
And worst, you may pass these diseases to your kids without finding out until it’s too late.
14. The Moon Is Roughly 400x Smaller Than the Sun, but Also Coincidentally About 400x Closer to Us Than the Sun
Sometimes, numbers seem to be correlated with each other. In this case, the moon is 400 times smaller than the sun. It is also 400 times closer to the Earth than the sun.
15. They Put Men on the Moon Before They Put Wheels on Luggage
The United States put men on the moon before the invention and the addition of wheels on the luggage. Comparing a massive innovation to something that seemed simple may sound ridiculous, but it’s actually weird.
16. Alaska Is the Northernmost, Westernmost, and Easternmost State in the United States
Alaska seems to cover almost the entire United States besides the South.
Alaska is the most North, East, and West state in the country. It is considered the most east for crossing the dateline.
17. There Was a Time When Most of the Earth Was a Pile of Dead Trees
Trees existed early on before animals did, including bacteria. This means that at some time, the earth is filled with dead trees before they are broken down.
The Dark Side of Aging: 10 Things That Will Drive You Crazy as You Grow Older
I recently saw this question online, “What are you starting to dislike more as you get older?” Here are the top-voted responses.
The Top 10 Saddest Songs of All Time – Be Prepared for #1 To Hit You Hard
I was searching the internet for great music to listen to when I came across an interesting thread titled, “What is the saddest song you’ve ever heard?” Here are some of the responses with the most upvotes.
I Can’t Believe I Didn’t Know This Until Now: Embarrassing Things People Learned Way Too Late In Life
I recently scrolled the internet’s front page when I saw this question, “What’s something you learned “embarrassingly late” in life?” Here are the top-voted responses.
14 All-Time Favorite Celebrities Exposed as Secret Jerks-Prepare to Be Surprised
I recently discovered an online discussion listing beloved celebrities who were revealed to have undesirable behind-the-scenes personas. As I read about the hidden sides of these public figures, my perceptions of them were flipped completely.
I Tried Living the European Way: 10 Luxuries That Left Me Wondering, ‘Why Don’t Americans Have This?’
The internet sure is a pool of information. I was scrolling the front page of the internet when I saw this question, “Americans, what do Europeans have every day that you see as a luxury?” the top-voted responses are quite interesting, so I had to share these with you.
Because what do they have every day that Americans don’t?
Did You Fall for These 10 Commonly Believed Myths? Science Sets the Record Straight
I recently saw this question online, “What is a popular belief that is scientifically proven wrong?”
Are you thinking of something you know now? Here are the responses that received the most upvotes.
Parenting Confessions: 10 Parents Admit What They Hate Most About Having a Child
I recently scrolled the internet’s front page when I saw this question, “What do you think is the worst part of having a child?” Here are the top-voted responses.
Legal Today, Banned Tomorrow: The Shocking Future of These 11 Items
Are you prepared for a future where something that is currently legal becomes illegal? This intriguing question has been making rounds on the internet, and the top-voted responses are bound to leave you curious.
Check out the detailed answers to the question, “What currently legal thing do you expect to be illegal in the next 20 years?”
The 10 Biggest Lies Society Has Been Telling You For Years – Stop Believing It Now
Curious to know the common lies that people believe? I came across an interesting question on the internet: “What lie do people need to stop believing?” the responses were eye-opening.
Here are some of the top-voted ones that might surprise you.
11 Quirky Items That Confuse Non-Americans About American Homes
Behold the internet’s treasure trove of knowledge! Amidst my casual scrolling, I stumbled upon an interesting question: “non-Americans, what do you reckon resides within the four walls of every American’s home?”
As I looked into the answers, I found many interesting comments that made me even more curious. And now, I’m excited to share them with you.
14 Innocent Jokes That Somehow Became The Center Of Intense Controversy
The internet is a vast source of information. While scrolling, I came across a question about something that began as a joke but is now taken too seriously.
The top answers to this question are fascinating.
The IQ Test That Should Be Required: 15 Silent Signs of Diminished Intelligence
Have you ever wondered if there are subtle signs of low intelligence? A recent online discussion posed this question, and the responses may surprise you.
Get ready to dive into this thought-provoking topic and challenge your perceptions.
From Boomers to Gen Z: The Childhood Trends That Faded Away
I recently saw this question online, “What was common when you were young but is rare now that you’re older?”
Let’s delve into the top-voted responses, which shed light on these nostalgic elements of the past that hold significance to many.
Source: Reddit
