Really TRUE odd factoids

[Blue Hills]

The Hansom cab, pulled by a horse of course, came after the steam driven railway (previously railways had been pulled by horses)

 

[Dave7]

They could probably sell the meat in China as well.

That is silly.
How could they get an elephant in one of those polystyrene trays ??
I suppose if there was no rice or noodles.........but even then it would be tight.

 

[Dave7]

10 Most Powerful Animal Bites on the Planet

• Saltwater Crocodile. Saltwater crocs have the highest bite force ever recorded. ...
• Great White Shark.
• Hippopotamus. Hippos are capable of biting crocodiles in half. ...
• Gorilla. ...
• Polar Bear. ...
• Spotted Hyena. ...
• Bengal Tiger. ...
• Grizzly Bear.

 

[Chris S]

The Messerschmitt 109s used in the Battle of Britain film were actually Spanish built copies (Hispano Aviación HA1112 Buchóns) powered by Rolls Royce Merlin engines. They were clearly distinguishable from the original by an air intake under the propeller.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

The Messerschmitt 109s used in the Battle of Britain film were actually Spanish built copies (Hispano Aviación HA1112 Buchóns) powered by Rolls Royce Merlin engines. They were clearly distinguishable from the original by an air intake under the propeller.

And in the famous "Repeat please" scene, the last three "Hurricanes" in the flight are actually Messerschmitts.

View: https://youtu.be/yXf1bhEEXd0

 

[Eziemnaik]

B52 first flight took place in 1952. It still is a workhorse of USAF. To put it in perspective Spitfire's first flight took place in 1936. If it had the same longevity as B52 it would still be used by RAF in 2004

 

[Eziemnaik]

B52 is not however the oldest plane in continuous use.
AN2 - hardly groundbreaking design even in 1947 is still in use in various air forces around the world
https://simpleflying.com/antonov-an-2/

 

[Eziemnaik]

Instead of "Once upon a time..." Korean tales start with "When tigers used to smoke"

 

[Andy_R]

Water is seriously weird

 

[Beebo]

Jasper Carrot owned shares in the company that made Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
He sold them for a reputed £10million.
Making him far more successful than any of the contestants.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

You could fit all of the other planets in the Solar System between the Earth and the Moon.

 

[Dave7]

Dead Rubber.
Liverpool played in the knockout stages of the champions league having already qualified.......so it was a dead rubber.
But.... where did the phrase originate ???
Apparently from a team card game, Rubber Bridge**. If one team has an unassailable lead it becomes a "dead rubber".
**there are similar named card games.

 

[classic33]

The song "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" was originally a threat. This ever-popular song was originally sung, loudly and repeatedly, by crowds of rowdy, lower-class servants demanding booze from their masters... or else. (I.e. "We won't go until we get some!")

 

[Eziemnaik]

20% of all US dollars were created since March this year

 

[Darius_Jedburgh]

Only 20% of Americans have a passport.
(But what is lacking in numbers is made up for by size!)