This is Fascinating Facts – September 2026 (Issue 44): an eclectic edition covering NASA technology, eye-watering global debt, one of Germany’s most famous castles, strange inventions that made millions, political red boxes, deadly Japanese cuisine and some very important cats.
Fascinating Facts September 2026 Contents
Fascinating Facts is a free monthly e-magazine focusing on personal, historical and military interests. Contributions are welcomed, with appropriate credit given. You can download the full newsletter to read HERE; however, some snippets are listed below.
NASA SPIN-OFF TECHNOLOGIES
A look at everyday technology that has benefited from NASA research and development. Examples include memory foam, scratch-resistant lenses, infrared ear thermometers, cochlear implants, improved radial tyres and CMOS image sensors used in modern cameras and mobile phones. The article also explores NASA-derived developments in medicine, GPS, road safety and even landmine removal. Read More…
INTERNATIONAL DEBT STATISTICS TO BLOW YOUR MIND
A number-heavy look at the staggering scale of government, business and household debt around the world. The article compares national debts, interest payments and debt per person, before putting the value of £1 billion into perspective with examples of just how much money that really represents. Read More…
KING LUDWIG’S NEUSCHWANSTEIN – THE WORLD’S TALLEST CASTLE
The story of Bavaria’s spectacular Neuschwanstein Castle and the eccentric king behind it. King Ludwig II commissioned the vast medieval-inspired retreat high in the German Alps, partly in honour of composer Richard Wagner. The article also looks at Ludwig’s troubled reign, his deposition and the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death in Lake Starnberg. Read More…
STUPID IDEAS THAT MADE A MILLION – BUT WERE THEY?
A collection of inventions and novelty products that sounded ridiculous but proved surprisingly profitable. Among them are the self-switching “useless box”, Doggles for dogs, plastic false teeth, artificial wishbones, Pet Rocks and antenna balls. It also recalls the Million Dollar Homepage, which sold individual pixels online and earned its creator more than $1 million. Read More…
THE CHANCELLOR’S FAMOUS RED BOX
A history of the distinctive despatch boxes used by British ministers and monarchs to carry official documents. The article explains why they are traditionally red, how they are made and secured, and why the handle sits on the same side as the hinges. It also follows the famous Budget box used by generations of Chancellors and looks at red boxes once owned by figures including Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. Read More…
FUGU – A DEADLY FISH AND GASTRONOMISTS’ DELIGHT
An introduction to fugu, the Japanese pufferfish delicacy containing potentially lethal tetrodotoxin. Preparing it is tightly controlled and chefs can spend years training before becoming licensed. With no known antidote to the poison, mistakes can be fatal, yet fugu remains a prized and sometimes very expensive dish in Japanese cuisine. Read More…
JAPAN’S CAT ISLANDS
A visit to the Japanese islands where cats can outnumber the human population. Originally introduced for pest control, large feral cat colonies have become tourist attractions on islands such as Tashirojima and Aoshima. The article looks at cat shrines, designated feeding areas and attempts to control populations through trap-neuter-return programmes. Read More…
CHIEF MOUSERS TO THE CABINET OFFICE
The unlikely history of the cats employed to keep rodents under control at the heart of British government. Cats have been associated with government offices for centuries, while official records of paying for a mouser date back to 1929. The article introduces several Downing Street cats, including Peter III, Peta, Freya and current Chief Mouser Larry, who arrived from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in 2011. Read More…
