HBO was originally codenamed “The Green Channel” and was then pitched as “Sterling Cable Network” before being launched as “Home Box Office.” – 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 – Naughty Bullwinkle Puppet
In the 1960’s, a live-action bumper starring a Bullwinkle puppet was removed from NBC. Parents complained when their kids broke off their television set’s knobs after the suggestion from Bullwinkle to ensure they would tune in next week. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/WesternAnimation/RockyAndBullwinkle
WTF Fun Fact – BackRub
In 1996, the search engine Google was known as “BackRub” alluding to how the program analyzed the internet’s “back links” to understand how popular and important a website was. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/the-true-story-behind-googles-first-name-backrub-2015-10?r=US&IR=T
WTF Fun Fact – Fake Hostage
In 2005, Al-Qaeda posted a picture on one of their websites claiming to have a US military hostage, but it was actually a Special Ops Cody action figure. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4229347.stm
WTF Fun Fact – Monopoly Banned
When Fidel Castro seized power in Cuba, he banned the board game Monopoly and ordered every set to be destroyed. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-10-04-9203300699-story.html
WTF Fun Fact – Less Nuclear Weapons
The number of nuclear weapons in the world is down from ~70,000 in 1986 to ~14,000 in 2020.–WTF Fun Facts
WTF Fun Fact – Jedediah Smith
In the early 1800’s, explorer Jedediah Smith survived a Grizzly bear attack in the Black Hills. The animal tore off his scalp and ripped one of his ears off. He had a friend sew his scalp and severed ear back on. After 10 days, he was leading his expedition again. – WTF Fun Facts
WTF Fun Fact – Physicians Against Homework
Homework was considered hugely controversial in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Physicians crusaded against it because they were convinced it was causing children to become wan, weak and nervous. In 1901, California even banned homework for anyone under the age of 15. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-mar-22-me-homework22-story.html
WTF Fun Fact – Dodgem Not Bumpem Cars
In the 1920’s, when the bumper car theme park attraction was first introduced by a company aptly named Dodgem, the purpose was to avoid colliding with other cars while driving with the erratic steering. The cars would often fall apart from accidental collisions. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: https://pinstackbowl.com/5-surprising-facts-bumper-cars/
WTF Fun Fact – First Online Purchase
In 1984 at age 72, Jane Snowball was the first person to “shop online” from her home when she ordered groceries from Tesco supermarket via Videotex. – WTF Fun Facts
WTF Fun Fact – Space Capsule Parachute Packers
Only three people (Norma Cretal, Buzz Corey and Jimmy Calunga) in the USA were qualified to hand-pack the massive parachutes for the Apollo space capsules. Their expertise was so vital, they were not allowed to ride in the same car together for fear of an accident. –WTF Fun Facts
Source:https://www.history.com/news/moon-landing-technology-inventions-computers-heat-shield-rovers
WTF Fun Fact – She Can Bite Your Nose Off
In 1837, a British man sued a woman who bit off half of his nose after he tried to kiss her without consent. The judge ruled against him, stating “if a man attempts to kiss a woman against her will, he has a ight bite his nose off, if she has a fancy for doing.” – WTF Fun Facts
WTF Fun Fact – Hippopotamus Soup
The earliest archaeological evidence for the consumption of soup dates back to 6000 BC, and it was a hippopotamus soup. The other ingredients in the soup were sparrows, vegetables, lentils, and various spices. – WTF Fun Facts
WTF Fun Fact – Barbie And Bild Lilli
The original Barbie doll was inspired by Bild Lilli, a German doll created in 1952, which was based on a high-end call girl named Lilli featured in the comic-strip, Bild-Zeitung. She was sold as an adult novelty in bars and tobacco shops. – WTF Fun Facts
WTF Fun Fact – Survivors In Too Good Of Shape
In 1989, 4 sailors survived at sea near New Zealand for 118 days after their boat, the Rose-Noelle, was capsized by a rogue wave. They cut holes in the hull, collected rainwater, and caught and cooked fish. Despite losing ~40 lbs., they were in otherwise such good shape upon return that many doubted their story. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-10-22-mn-828-story.html
WTF Fun Fact – Mathematics Of Babylonians
Ancient Babylonians used a sexagesimal (base-60) positional number system instead of base-10. That’s why we have 60 seconds in a minute and 360 degrees in a circle. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonian_cuneiform_numerals
WTF Fun Fact – Starved In A Room Full Of Seeds
During the siege of Leningrad, a group of Russian botanists from the Institute of Plant Industry locked themselves into a secret vault and starved to death rather than consume the large collection of seeds which they were guarding in case of an apocalypse. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: https://www.rbth.com/blogs/2014/05/12/the_men_who_starved_to_death_to_save_the_worlds_seeds_35135
WTF Fun Fact – FDA Official Frances Kelsey Vs Thalidomide
Frances Kelsey, and FDA official, saved the US from a generation of children with birth defects such as flipper-like arms and feet by repeatedly blocking the authorization of a drug, already approved in Europe, known as Thalidomide. – WTF Fun Facts