Journal of Useful Information: Fun Facts and Factoids

There are many useful things in this world worth knowing, and I have compiled only a small piece of them here.

According to Wikipedia a factoid is defined as a spurious (unverified, incorrect, or invented) "fact" intended to create or prolong public exposure or to manipulate public opinion.

I believe that factoid has come to mean something much different today than when the word was first coined by Norman Mailer in 1973. Today the term is often used to describe an interesting fact with limited usefulness, but which is intriguing to the general population. That is the way the term is intended here.

Fun Facts and Factoids:

Martin Luther King Jr paid for the birth of actress Julia Roberts.

Fun Fact:

Tree rings are always farther apart on the south side of the tree. This allows woodsman to gain their bearings when deep in the wilderness.

Factoid:

You can magnetize a needle by rubbing it on a piece of silk.

Fun Fact:

Adding a bit of oil to boiling water before cooking spaghetti helps to keep the spaghetti from sticking together. Unfortunately, this may also inhibit the ability of the sauce to stick to the noodle.

Factoid:

Hot water freezes more quickly than cold water. Be careful though, according to the straight dopein order for the hot water to freeze more quickly it must be very near the boiling point. Hot water from the tap won't freeze any faster.

Fun Fact:

The first U.S. patent was issued July 13,1790 to Samuel Hopkins, a Pott Ash Maker from Philadelphia. Samuel Hopkins was also awarded the first Canadian patent in 1791.

Factoid:

Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world, after petroleum. A coffee cherry with three beans is said to bring good luck.

Fun Fact:

A rat can last longer without water than a camel.

Factoid:

A group of Tigers is called a streak. Groups of other cats are sometimes called a clouder or a pounce. Kittens are referred to as a kindle.

Fun Fact:

John Jay was the first U.S. Supreme Court chief justice. I wrote a research paper on John Jay in high school. Man oh man, was that a long read.

Factoid: