Tower of Terror
The most forceful rollercoaster in the world is “Tower of Terror” at Gold Reef City in Johannesburg, South Africa. At the bottom of the ride’s huge drop, people experience a G-force of 6.3g, twice the G-force of a space shuttle launch.
Legend says the Chesterfield was designed to keep coats crisp and catch cigar ash in its folds.
A Congolese tradition forbids couples from smiling on their wedding day to show commitment and respect
Superstition leads many skyscrapers to skip labeling the 13th floor—though it still exists physically.
A theory suggests a second moon once orbited Earth—until it crashed into the Moon we know today.
In 1873, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis patented riveted jeans to reinforce stress points for hard-working miners.
Innovative Pugedon machines in Istanbul let people recycle bottles and cans to dispense food and water for stray dogs and cats.
A Nigerian fisherman unknowingly caught a rare blue marlin—worth millions—but shared it with his village instead.
Geta sandals elevate feet from mud and once let geishas announce their presence through distinct, echoing clicks
Inspired by trampolines, Moon Shoes let kids bounce—but led to twisted ankles and safety recalls.
Tom Hanks is Abraham Lincoln’s third cousin, four generations removed.
Dr. Dre disliked his voice and was hesitant to rap until N.W.A pushed him into it.
Daisugi is a 14th-century Japanese pruning method that produces straight lumber while keeping the parent tree alive and intact.
The packaging problems of round fruit can be solved by making them square. In Korea, some apples are grown in plastic moulds so they take on a square shape.
Avocados contain persin, which is toxic to many animals.
A massive flamingo sculpture at Tampa Airport creates a surreal underwater illusion.
Messi sent a signed jersey to a boy who wore one made from a plastic bag.
Jupiter’s moon Ganymede may have more water than Earth—beneath its frozen surface.
Snow gum trees reveal colorful bark streaks as outer layers peel and oxidize at different stages.
Ostriches have the largest eyes of any land animal—great for spotting danger on the savanna.
Doha, Qatar is the first city to use blue roads to lower asphalt temperatures by up to 20°C.
These common veggies don’t grow in the wild—they were bred from wild cabbage.
During WWII, British women carried gas mask handbags—blending fashion with survival; today, they’re rare, clever collectibles.
