During WW2, Ernest Hemingway used his 38 ft. fishing boat named Pilar to “hunt” German U-boats in the Caribbean armed only with Thomson machine guns and hand grenades. He was given unlimited gasoline by the US government. – WTF Fun Facts
History
Weird history facts all gathered right here under our history category. Once you have had your fill of history facts head over to our random fact generator to learn more random factoids!
WTF Fun Fact – National Radio Silence Day
In late August, 1924, Mars entered an opposition closer to Earth than at any time in recent history. In the US, a “National Radio Silence Day” was created for a 36-hour period with all radios quiet for 5 minutes every hour in order to listen for radio signals from space. None were heard. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: Search for extraterrestrial intelligence – Wikipedia
WTF Fun Fact – Nixon Kidnapped
Walt Disney accidentally “kidnapped” Richard Nixon by dispatching his monorail train before the Secret Service could get on. The agents ran after the train and attempted to jump onboard but the doors had already closed. – WTF Fun Facts
WTF Fun Fact – Who Can Be First Lady?
The role of U.S. First Lady does not need to go to the President’s wife. Historically, there have been First Ladies who were nieces, sisters, or daughters-in-law of the sitting president. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: List of first ladies of the United States – Wikipedia
WTF Fun Fact – The Tongan Castaways
In 1965, six boys stole a boat and became stranded on a deserted island. The “Tongan Castaways” stayed there for 15 months before rescue. Called a real-life Lord of the Flies, the boys built a “commune” with a garden, permanent fire, gym, and badminton court. – WTF Fun Facts
WTF Fun Fact – Cistercian Monk Numeral System
The Cistercian monks used a numeral system in the 13th to 15th centuries which allowed writing numbers from 1 to 9999 as single compound characters. – WTF Fun Facts
WTF Fun Fact – Illegal To Own Gold
Executive Order 6102, signed by President Franklin Roosevelt, made it illegal for Americans to own gold (except for some jewelry and collectors coins) between 1933 and 1975. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: Gold Reserve Act – Wikipedia
WTF Fun Fact – Vine-glo Grape Juice
During Prohibition, winemakers sold a grape juice concentrate product called Vine-glo which included a “warning” on it: “After dissolving the brick in a gallon of water, do not place the liquid in a jug away in the cupboard for 20 days, because then it would turn into wine.” – WTF Fun Facts
Source: Vine-Glo – Wikipedia
WTF Fun Fact – The Gin Craze
When the British raised taxes on beer in the 17th century, they inadvertently made gin the cheapest alcoholic beverage. The ensuing widespread consumption of gin led to alcoholism problems in Britain, with the death rate overtaking the birth rate during this period. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: Alcohol duties – All you need to know – Politics.co.uk
WTF Fun Fact – 1858 US House Of Representatives Brawl
In 1858 there was a brawl involving 50 congressmen on the US House floor. It ended when someone knocked off a man’s wig, which was then accidentally put on backwards, causing both sides to laugh and stop fighting. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: Laurence M. Keitt – Wikipedia
WTF Fun Fact – WW2 Toilet Paper Rations
During WW2, British soldiers had an allotment of 3 sheets of toilet paper per man per day. The American soldiers had an allotment of 22.5 sheets. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: The American People in World War II: Freedom from Fear, Part Two – David M. Kennedy – Google Books
WTF Fun Fact – Egg White Mortar & Egg Yolk Dessert
Filipino churches built during Spain’s colonial period used millions of egg whites in the mortar to make it more durable. This is also why Filipino desserts often use lots of egg yolks – many were developed to use up all the extra yolks from construction projects. – WTF Fun Facts
WTF Fun Fact – Why “Scotch” Tape?
“Scotch” used to be a synonym for “thrifty” or “frugal.” When cellophane tape was first invented, it was marketed during the Great Depression as “scotch tape” since it could extend the life of objects and save you money. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: How Did Scotch Tape Appear and What Is the Story Behind Its Name? – All Spares (all-spares.com)
WTF Fun Fact – Ye Olde Brothel Candle
They used brothel candles during Victorian times, which burned for precisely 7 minutes. The individual would pay the fee, light the candle, and when the candle burned out, the session was over. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: Nothing Says Romance Like a Box of Brothel Candles – Gleek
WTF Fun Fact – Roller Coaster vs Sin
Roller coasters were invented to distract Americans from sin. In the 1880’s businessman LaMarcus Thompson didn’t like people going to brothels and drinking, so he invented the rollercoaster to try and persuade people to go there for thrills instead. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: The Rollercoaster Was Invented to Save America From Satan | Smithsonian Magazine
WTF Fun Fact – Cheerioats
Cheerios were first called “Cheerioats” when first introduced on May 1, 1941. However, Quaker Oates later objected to the name and General Mills made the change in 1945. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: Cheerios – Wikipedia
WTF Fun Fact – Inuit Ridicule Song Duel
Some Inuit groups used ridicule in the form of song duels as a means of conflict resolution. Two men who had failed to resolve a conflict by other means would compose derisive songs about the other. The whole camp gathered to observe the song duel and pick a winner. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: Settling Our Differences Through Song? | The Toombs Take (psu.edu)
WTF Fun Fact – Eau de Cologne
The original Eau de Cologne is a spirit-citrus perfume launched in Cologne in 1709 by Giovanni Maria Farina and is still produced today in the world’s oldest perfume factory. The formula for it has remained a secret while being passed on through 8 generations. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: Eau de Cologne – Wikipedia