This is the March 2023 edition of the fascinating facts Newsletter, which includes a broad range of interesting topics, socks, fingerprints and Spitfires, to name a few.
March 2023 Fascinating Facts
You can download the full newsletter to read HERE, however some snippets are listed below.
WHAT’S ODD ABOUT ODD SOCKS?
Few realise that Odd Socks Day marks the start of International Anti-Bullying Week in November and was supported by CBeebies, ABA patron, Andy Day and his band ‘Andy and the Odd Socks’. Designed to be fun Odd Socks Day focusses on encouraging people to express themselves and celebrate their individuality and what makes us all unique! Just like odd socks! Read Full Article…
FINGERPRINTS
Identification by fingerprint is not new! They were used on clay tablets, seals, walls of Egyptian tombs, and on Minoan, Greek, and Chinese pottery. In ancient China government documents were authenticated by fingerprints. In 200 BC fingerprints were used to sign Babylon contracts. In 650 the Chinese historian Kia Kung-Yen remarked that fingerprints could be used as a means of authentication. Read Full Article…
THE LADY WHO SAVED THE SPITFIRE
The development of the Spitfire can be traced back to 1931, and the Schneider Trophy and, if it had not been for Lady Houston, may never have been developed. Because of the depression at that time, the future of British sea planes competing in the Schneider Trophy races was in jeopardy. Therefore, the British Government did not see aviation competitions as financial priorities and cut off funding. Lady Houston, however, believed in the seaplane’s potential after seeing models perform well in the years before. She gave over £100,000 (£5,188,925 in 2022) to ensure that her country could still participate. Read Full Article…
HACKNEY CARRIAGES
When most people think about England, images like the Big Ben, red phone booths, double-decker buses, and black cabs spring to mind. The black taxi is a British icon as afternoon tea or Sunday roast. Of various designs over the years, they have been a form of conveyance since 17th century. While there are taxis in most towns, the London back taxis are of a recognised design which millions rely on taxis to get around. Read Full Article…
WATER, THE STUFF OF LIFE OR THE CAUSE OF ILLNESS
The inspiration for this article came out of personal experience. For the past six years, I have had stomach problems like burping, stomach discomfort, constipation, not enjoying my meals, and feeling like food pushing up. To be fair, I have had every test the doctor could think of, but there had never been any long term let up. This never ending discomfort was mentally debilitating. Read Full Article…
CORNISH PASTY A WORLD WIDE PHENOMENON
Like many things, the full truth of the pasty is lost in the mists of time. In Cornwall, it is a virtual national institution. Nevertheless, I will try to untangle some of the myths and facts. But then I leave it to you to decide. There has always been a debate about the Cornish Pasty. A simple meal made by taking a circle of pastry, filling half with meat and vegetable, folding over, and baking. A Cornish pasty is crimped, either righthanded or left-handed, along the edge and the Devon pasty along the top. Both with a clump of pastry at each end. Read Full Article…
THE MYSTERY OF THE ROMAN DODECAHEDRON
There are many secrets from ancient civilisations which are a total mystery to us in our highly technical world. From the way the ancient Egyptians built the pyramids, where a stone blocked had to be placed in position every 5 minutes! How they carved such beautiful objects in granite without metal tools and we would have difficulty of doing so with all our modern equipment. One of the particular mysteries relates to the ancient Roman civilisation that even over 300 years no one has fathomed. All the scrutiny by many learned people and no one has been able to state the use of the Roman dodecahedron. Historians and archaeologists continue their pursuit, to discover the use of an artifact that is both perplexing and revealing. Read Full Article…
HOBART’S FUNNIES
Hobart’s Funnies was the nickname given to a number of specialist armoured fighting vehicles derived from tanks operated during the Second World War by units of the 79th Armoured Division of the British Army, or by specialists from the Royal Engineers. Designed to overcome some of the problems standard tanks experienced during the amphibious Dieppe Raid and the planned invasion of Normandy. Read Full Article…
