Strange But True: Japan vending machines
By Lucie Winborne
A California man who made a personalized license plate that said "No Plate" received more than 2,500 parking tickets.
Omphalophobia is the fear of belly buttons.
Avid readers won't be intimidated by a hefty novel, but they'll still surely be impressed by what's been deemed the largest book ever. Weighing more than 3,000 pounds and measuring 16.40 feet by 26.44 feet with 429 pages inside, the book, which is titled "This is Muhammad," was created in 2012 by 50 people working together in the United Arab Emirates.
Prior to 1949, tennis court grass was kept at 2 inches long -- that is, until a player was bitten by a snake. It's now typically maintained at a length of 8 mm.
Scientists have found evidence of take-out restaurants in the remains of Pompeii.
Japan has the highest density of vending machines worldwide, with approximately 5 million machines, or one machine for every 23 people. You can buy everything from live lobsters and bread in a can, to underwear and Buddhist amulets from a vending machine.
The first European who learned to smoke from the natives was arrested back home because people thought he was possessed by the devil.
Dolly Parton's parents paid the doctor who delivered her with a bag of cornmeal.
The most expensive domain name ever sold was Voice.com, which was acquired for $30 million in 2019.
Caribbean sperm whales have their own accents.
After an 8.0 magnitude earthquake hit Mexico City in 1985, nearly all newborn babies survived a collapsed hospital for seven days without nourishment, water, warmth or human contact.
A flea can accelerate faster than a space shuttle.
Thought for the Day: "Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can." -- Danny Kaye
(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.