Eugene Schieffelin was an American amateur ornithologist who wanted to bring all of the birds in Shakespeare’s plays to North America. He released a total of 100 European starlings in 1890 and 1891, which have grown into a population of ~200 million. – WTF Fun Facts
WTF Fun Fact – Victory Gardens Produced
The US Department of Agriculture estimated that more than 20 million “victory gardens” were planted during World War 2. The produce harvested in these gardens was estimated to be 9-10 million tons, an amount equal to all commercial production of fresh produce. – WTF Fun Facts
WTF Fun Fact – Hijacker Glenn Tripp
Glenn K. Tripp, a D.B. Cooper copycat, hijacked Northwest Flight 608 in 1980. His drink was spiked with Valium by a flight attendant, and after a 10 hour standoff, he lowered his ransom to 3 cheeseburgers and a getaway car. He was captured and arrested on the way to his car. He tried to hijack the same flight while on probation three years later. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: http://www.check-six.com/Crash_Sites/NWA305-DBCooper.htm
WTF Fun Fact – Lazy Worker Ants
A recent study of worker ants found that up to 40% of them are lazy and don’t actually do much work. After further research, scientists found that they may act as a replacement workforce if the active workers were unable to carry out their tasks for some reason. – WTF Fun Facts
WTF Fun Fact – Little Apple Of Death Tree
The manchineel tree is one of the most toxic trees in the world. The sap which is present in every part of the tree causes blisters, eating its apples can be potentially fatal, and the smoke from a burning manchineel tree can cause blindness if it gets in your eyes. – WTF Fun Facts
WTF Fun Fact – John Thompson Lost Both Arms
In 1992, North Dakota teenager John Thompson lost both of his arms in a freak farming accident. He managed to get up and dial for help using a pencil in his mouth. He survived and doctors were able to reattach both arms. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-09-26-mn-39382-story.html
WTF Fun Fact – Blood Sucking Pea Aphid
If there is a food shortage, pea aphids will climb on to their mothers’ backs and suck her blood in order to survive.–WTF Fun Facts
Source:https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn24513-zoologger-baby-vampire-aphids-drink-parents-blood/
WTF Fun Fact – Ambulance With A Doctor
The French philosophy on emergency medical care is to provide a higher level of care at the scene of the incident, and so every SMUR ambulance is staffed with a doctor. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_medical_services_in_France
WTF Fun Fact – Fairey Rotodyne
In the early 1950’s, British company Fairey started to develop a helicopter-type aircraft for commercial passenger use. They eventually built the Rotodyne, which took off vertically using helicopter rotors with jets at their tips but was powered forward by turboprops on the wing. The aircraft never made it into commercial use. – WTF Fun Facts