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The Origin of Valentine’s Day

Matt Blitz February 5, 2015 5

While not thought to be directly related to modern Valentine’s Day traditions, the beginnings of celebrating love (of a sort) in February date back to the Romans. The feast of Lupercalia was a pagan

A Space Race for the Dogs… and Monkeys and Fruit Flies

Matt Blitz February 4, 2015 2

The first Earthlings sent into space were brave, calm under pressure, and heroic. They were also not human and many of them were furry. Yes, before Apollo 13, Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Yuri

In this episode, you’re going to learn about who invented jeans, what inspired their creation, and how they became so popular. In the Bonus article, you’re also going to learn why women’s bikes traditionally

The Bizarre Mating Practices of the Arabian Camel

Melissa February 2, 2015 1

Some people are into feet, others like dressing up in furry costumes, and a rare few will even get scatological (See: Mozart’s Much Less Family Friendly Works). But when it comes to weird sexual

Weekly Wrap Volume 73

Daven Hiskey January 31, 2015 0

This is a weekly wrap of our popular Daily Knowledge Newsletter. You can get that newsletter for free here. The Invention of the Piano The names that come to mind at the mention of

26 Fascinating Football Facts

Daven Hiskey January 30, 2015 3

With the Super Bowl this weekend, we thought we’d do a “Football facts” roundup to help you impress your buddies with amazingly interesting Football knowledge. 891) Buffalo wings were invented sometime around the 1960s

Podcast Epiosde #329: The Man in the Iron Mask

Simon Whistler January 29, 2015 0

In this episode, we’re plunging down the rabbit-hole trying to separate myth from fact to discern who was France’s most famous prisoner, the Man in the Iron Mask. In the Bonus Fact, you’re also

Why Do Radio Signals Travel Farther at Night than in the Day?

Dan Eder January 27, 2015 3

Matt T. asks: I was in southern California a while back and managed to pick up an AM radio station from Washington, but only at night. I’ve experienced the same thing at night in

This Day in History: January 27th- Banishing Dante

Kathy Padden January 27, 2015 0

This Day In History: January 27, 1302 Dante Alighieri, who was known simply as Dante long before Cher or Madonna made single-name fame a thing, is considered by many the greatest poet of the

The Truth About Christopher Columbus

Matt Blitz January 26, 2015 8

“In fourteen hundred and ninety two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue…. Today, Christopher Columbus is celebrated as a mythical hero by some – complete with songs, poems, and fictional tales about his great adventure

Weekly Wrap Volume 72

Daven Hiskey January 24, 2015 1

This is a weekly wrap of our popular Daily Knowledge Newsletter. You can get that newsletter for free here. 20 Interesting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Facts 1) His name was originally Michael, not

The Cheese in Cheez Whiz

Matt Blitz January 23, 2015 6

Jesus M. asks: Is there any real cheese in cheese whiz? As America gets ready for their upcoming Super Bowl parties (or Royal Rumble party, if that’s your thing), Cheez Whiz – the yellowish-orange,

Why is Snow White Given That Snowflakes are Clear?

Sarah Stone January 22, 2015 8

Scott S. asks: When you look at pictures of individual snowflakes, the snowflakes are clear. I was just wondering why is snow white and not clear then? First, it’s important to understand what’s going

The Luckless Rubber Maven: Charles Goodyear

Matt Blitz January 21, 2015 1

Nineteenth century America was a good time to be inventor. With the right timing, invention, marketing, and patent, one could become rapidly rich. Elias Howe (the sewing machine), Samuel Morse (Morse code), and Cyrus

The Origin and Trademarking of “Couch Potato”

Karl Smallwood January 20, 2015 1

Gracen R. asks: Why is someone who is lazy called a couch potato? If you want to call someone lazy, a time-honoured way to do so would be to call them a “couch potato”.

Podcast Episode #321: Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Martin Luther King Jr.

Simon Whistler January 19, 2015 4

In this episode, you’re going to learn a whole lot of interesting things you probably didn’t know about Martin Luther King Jr. [TRANSCRIPT] Don’t miss future episodes of this podcast, subscribe here: iTunes |

What are Smelling Salts?

Matt Blitz January 16, 2015 0

David A. asks: What exactly are smelling salts? Do they really work to wake up unconscious people? Smelling salts have been used for everything, from reviving those who have fainted to athletes needing a

The Richest Family in the World

Matt Blitz January 15, 2015 0

Who was the wealthiest person in every century? That was a question we tried to answer in a previous TIFO article. While it was an incredibly difficult question to get definitive answers to, it