Strange But True: The Lollipop
By Lucie Winborne
When African American soldiers began enlisting in the Civil War, they were paid $10, while white troops earned $13, and were also charged a monthly fee for their uniforms. In protest, they refused to accept their pay at all for 18 months, though they continued to fight.
Throughout the average sofa's life, it will hold roughly 782 visitors.
While it was believed for a long time that ancient Greek sculptures made of white marble were originally colorless, scientific studies confirmed the theory that they were actually painted in a wide range of shades that eventually wore away under the long-term effects of light and air.
The lollipop, invented in 1908 by George Smith, was named after a racehorse known as Lolly Pop.
Researchers have found that octopuses occasionally punch fish, sometimes for obvious reasons, such as directing them away from intended prey, and other times for no apparent reason at all -- unless, perhaps, they're merely having a bad day.
A flight data recorder, aka black box, isn't black at all, but bright orange. The heat-resistant paint hue makes it easier to spot in the event of an accident.
The most expensive guitar ever sold, a Martin 1959 D-18 acoustic, changed hands at auction for a staggering $6 million. Formerly owned by Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, it was used by the singer-musician during the band's 1993 MTV Unplugged performance.
Including television, theater, film and radio, Charles Dickens is the most adapted author of all time.
Oh, my aching feet! In an average day of walking, those appendages at the ends of our legs experience forces totaling hundreds of tons -- the equivalent of a fully loaded cement truck!
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Thought for the Day: "The question isn't who's going to let me, it's who's going to stop me." -- Ayn Rand
(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.