This is the June 2024 edition of my fascinating facts newsletter, which includes a range of interesting topics. This includes writeups about the history of Lego, Vernacular architecture and the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Fascinating Facts June 2024 Contents
You can download the full newsletter to read HERE, however some snippets are listed below.
The Lego Story
Founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Christiansene, a carpenter whose primary business was producing household goods. But two major disasters changed the direction of the company which created the world famous Lego bricks. First was the great depression which led to producing wooden toys and later developed a system of interlocking bricks. Second was a fire in the woodworking department in 1947 when Ole’s son, Godtfred, decided to stop the production of wooden toys and solely focus on plastic products and the Lego system. The name “LEGO” is a contraction of the Danish words: “leg godt” (English: “play well”). In Latin the name means either “I collect,” “I compose,” or “I read”. These meanings became relevant when the company started making plastic blocks with knobs to enable them to snap together. Read More…
What Is Vernacular Architecture?
Vernacular architecture is building out-side any academic tradition, and without professional guidance. It is not a particular architectural movement or style, but rather a broad category, encompassing a wide range and variety of building types, with differing methods of construction, from around the world, both historical and extant and classical and modern. As it is claimed to constitute 95% of the world’s built environment, that means only 5% is built by architects to accepted regulation standards!! Read More…
LEST WE FORGET 80th ANIVERSARY OF D-DAY
Soldiers from all over the world fought in Normandy to defeat Nazism and reestablish freedom. The beaches of Normandy still bear the scars of that moment in history. As will be remembered, the carnage of the D-Day landings on a 50 mile stretch of Normandy coast code named Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. The Battle of Normandy eventually led to the liberation of France and Europe. This year June marks the 80th anniversary of this historic event, and an occasion to commemorate peace, liberty and reconciliation with a programme of events to refresh the memory of this tragic period of world history while emphasising the eternal spirit of hope.
Every year we remember and pay tribute to veterans from America, Britain, Canada, Belgium, Denmark, Holland, Norway, Poland, Australia, France and their brothers in arms, to those many heroes who lost their lives there during that summer, and are at rest in the cemeteries to be found throughout the area. Read More…
SUPERSTITIONS AROUND THE WORLD
With an ever increasing technical world and more informed population, most superstitions have been consigned to the dustbin. Today, many seem weird and wacky. While many superstitions deal with the supernatural – witches and spirits, the origin of others can usually be found in religion and others based on coincidence and routine bad luck. In complete contrast, some come with a very rational explanation, which is bad luck and not superstition.
One example of bad luck is lighting three cigarettes with one match. This is based on soldiers in a foxhole in the darkness. Lighting a match and keeping it lit and passing it between three is long enough for a sniper to establish the possible location of the third and be ready to fire and kill. Read More…
WORLD TOILET ORGANIZATION
A global non-profit organisation, the TWA was formed to improve toilet and sanitation conditions worldwide. Founded in 2001, it has grown to 151 member organisations in 53 countries. Founded in 2001 by Jack Sim in Singapore, it is recognised by The United Nations because of the need to raise awareness about the world’s water and sanitation crisis. An average person spends 813 days in the bathroom throughout their life. That’s over 2 years. More than 800 under 5 children die daily from diarrhoeal diseases because of poor sanitation, hygiene, and unsafe drinking water. Read More…
IS THIS THE WORLDS OLDEST BATTERY?
One of the most puzzling ancient artifacts, which has divided scientists and archaeologists, is the Baghdad Battery found in 1936 in an ancient tomb near Baghdad. It is claimed to be a 2000-year-old chemical battery. In all, a set of three were found together. Basically, it is a ceramic pot with a copper tube and an iron rod. While its origin and purpose remain unclear, Wilhelm König, at the time director of the National Museum of Iraq, claimed that it functioned as a galvanic cell, possibly used for electroplating, or some kind of electrotherapy even though there was no electroplated object known from this period. Adding to the problem which prevents further research on the actual objects was held up as it disappeared in 2003 during the US led invasion of Iraq. Read More…
