WTF Fun Fact 13317 – The History of the Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny is a beloved symbol of Easter. But where did this tradition come from? Well, the history of bunnies (or hares) symbolizing spring religious observances can be traced back to pre-Christian times. Ancient civilizations celebrated the spring equinox and the return of fertility and new life and hares played a central role. Of course, that’s not the same as the history of the Easter Bunny.

The importance of the hare

According to Smithsonian Magazine (cited below), the hare was a symbol of new life in ancient Egypt and was associated with the goddess of fertility and motherhood, Eostre. But it may have dated back even further. As the note:

“In European traditions, the Easter bunny is known as the Easter hare. The symbolism of the hare has had many tantalizing ritual and religious roles down through the years.
Hares were given ritual burials alongside humans during the Neolithic age in Europe. Archaeologists have interpreted this as a religious ritual, with hares representing rebirth.
Over a thousand years later, during the Iron Age, ritual burials for hares were common, and in 51 B.C.E., Julius Caesar mentioned that in Britain, hares were not eaten due to their religious significance.”

The veneration of hares is practically prehistoric!

The history of the Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny as we know it today is thought to have originated in Germany in the 16th century. The first recorded mention of the Easter Bunny was in a book by Georg Franck von Franckenau. He was a physician in Frankfurt who wrote about the Easter Hare bringing eggs for children to find.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, German immigrants brought the Easter Bunny tradition to the United States. The first edible Easter bunnies, made of pastry and sugar, were produced in Germany during the early 19th century. After that, the tradition of giving chocolate bunnies as Easter gifts spread throughout Europe and North America.

Today, the Easter Bunny is a central part of many Easter celebrations. In many countries, people still hold Easter egg hunts where children search for colored eggs that have been hidden around a park or other public space.

The tradition of the Easter Bunny continues to be a fun and beloved part of Easter celebrations around the world.

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Source: “The Ancient Origins of the Easter Bunny” — Smithsonian Magazine

WTF Fun Fact 13316 – Bermuda’s Good Friday Kites

Do you know about Bermuda kites? Well, in Bermuda, Good Friday is celebrated by flying kites. The tradition dates back to the late 19th century. Since then, it has become an important part of Bermudian culture.

The history of Bermuda’s Good Friday kites

There are a few theories about the origins of kite flying on Good Friday in Bermuda, but not much is known for sure. Some have suggested that kite flying was something brought over by British soldiers who were stationed on the island. But it’s unclear what the Good Friday connection would be. Others trace it back to a local teacher who used a kite to explain the ascension of Jesus to their students around Easter.

The kites themselves feature intricate designs and colors, and people spend a lot of time and energy creating them. Bermuda kites are often over 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide, making them much larger than your average kite. They’re typically made from lightweight materials such as tissue paper, bamboo, and string, making them easier to get aloft.

According to Wikipedia:

“The kites are typically hexagonal, though larger examples, particularly, may be octagonal, or have even more sides. They are constructed from flat sticks arrayed like spokes of a wheel, with a nail at the axis. A string passes around the ends of the sticks, marking out the edges, and concentric strings are arranged inside of this, all contributing to the rigidity of the structure. Colored tissue paper is glued into the spaces created between strings and sticks. Using different colors, patterns are created. The kite has a single stick secured at one end to the axis, and rising at a shallow angle from the plane created by the other sticks…A long, cloth strip tail is fitted to the kite, without which it would be unable to fly.”

Flying Bermuda kites

Kite flying on Good Friday in Bermuda is not just about competition and artistry. It is also a way to bring the community together and celebrate Bermudian culture.

In recent years, the tradition of kite flying on Good Friday in Bermuda has faced some challenges. The rise of technology and video games has made it harder to attract younger generations to the tradition. Additionally, changes in weather patterns have made it more difficult to predict the wind conditions necessary for kite flying.

Nevertheless, a die-hard group still heads to the beaches each Good Friday to keep up the tradition, making for a beautiful holiday spectacle.

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Source: “Bermudian Traditions for Easter Weekend” — Bermuda Tourism

WTF Fun Fact 13315 – The First Easter Eggs

The history of decorating eggs for spring festivals thousands of years to the ancient Egyptians, Persians, and Romans. For example, the ancient Egyptians believed that the egg symbolized the sun and its rebirth. And the Persians used eggs to celebrate the spring equinox, which marks the beginning of spring. The Romans also had a tradition of giving decorated eggs as gifts during their spring festival known as Hilaria. But when were the first “Easter eggs” decorated?

The first Easter eggs

As Christianity began to spread throughout Europe, the practice of decorating eggs was incorporated into the celebration of Easter. Christians viewed eggs as a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus. The hard shell of the egg represents the sealed tomb. The new life that emerges from it represents the resurrection.

The custom of decorating eggs for Easter may have originated in medieval Europe. During Lent, the 40-day period of fasting and prayer leading up to Easter, Christians were not allowed to eat eggs or any other animal products. However, chickens would continue to lay them during this time, so the extras would be boiled to preserve them for later consumption.

On Easter Sunday, the eggs would be painted and decorated in bright colors to celebrate the end of the fast and the arrival of spring.

In Greece, Russia, and other Orthodox countries, eggs are dyed red to symbolize the blood of Christ and the resurrection. Then they’re exchanged as gifts and used in traditional Easter games and activities.

Eggs as art and for fun

In some cultures, eggs are more than just a symbol of spring and rebirth. They are also a form of art. The tradition of decorating eggs with intricate designs and patterns has been passed down through generations of families. As a result, it has become a beloved folk art in many parts of the world.

From the elaborate pysanky eggs of Ukraine to the delicate filigree eggs of Poland, this art is a beautiful and fascinating tradition that continues to thrive today.

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Source: “Here’s Why Easter Eggs Are a Thing” — Time Magazine

WTF Fun Fact 13314 – The First Stoplight

No one really enjoys sititng at stoplights, but we know they’re valuable. But do you know the history of the first stoplight?

The first stoplight

Stoplights, or traffic lights, date back to the mid-19th century. In 1868, the first traffic signal was installed outside the British Houses of Parliament in London. This signal featured a revolving gas lamp with red and green lenses and was manually operated by a police officer. The officer would signal to drivers using an arm.

However, the signals were not very effective, and it was eventually removed after only a month. It wasn’t until the 20th century that traffic signals looked like the modern traffic lights we know today.

The first electric traffic signal was installed in 1912 by a Salt Lake City police officer named Lester Wire. The signal used red and green lights and a buzzer to signal changes in traffic patterns. This device was effective in reducing the number of accidents in Salt Lake City.

The modern traffic light, with its familiar red, yellow, and green lights, was invented in 1920 by a Detroit police officer named William Potts. Potts was inspired to create the new signal after witnessing a terrible accident at an intersection.

He designed the modern three-color light operated by an automatic timer. This allowed for a smoother traffic flow and reduced accidents. Potts’ design quickly became popular, and the lights were soon adopted throughout the United States.

Today, millions of stoplights are installed around the world. Some now use sensors to detect the presence of vehicles and adjust their timing accordingly.

Another fun fact

One interesting feature of traffic lights is their use of the color yellow. While red and green have obvious meanings (stop and go, respectively), the use of yellow is less clear. In the early days of traffic lights, yellow was used to indicate that the signal was about to change.

However, over time, yellow has come to represent caution, with drivers expected to slow down and prepare to stop. Despite their importance, traffic lights can also be a source of frustration for drivers. In fact, traffic lights are one of the most common causes of traffic congestion in urban areas.

Today, new systems are being developed to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.

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Source: “A Brief History of the Stoplight” — Smithsonian Magazine

WTF Fun Fact 13313 – Driving Phobia

For many people, driving is a mundane and necessary part of daily life. But driving phobia affects a small percentage of people, causingf intense anxiety and fear. This condition is known as vehophobia, which is defined as a persistent and irrational fear of driving.

According to Trauma Research UK, vehophobia can have a variety of causes, including a traumatic driving experience, a previous accident, or a fear of losing control. Other common triggers include driving on highways, bridges, or in heavy traffic, and driving at night or in bad weather conditions.

How does driving phobia manifest?

Vehophobia can manifest in a number of ways, including physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, and heart palpitations, as well as psychological symptoms such as panic attacks, avoidance behavior, and hypervigilance.

For those who suffer from vehophobia, the impact can be significant. It can limit one’s mobility, interfere with daily activities, and even cause relationship and employment issues.

Fortunately, there are a number of treatments available for vehophobia. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common approach that can help individuals identify and challenge negative thoughts and beliefs about driving. Exposure therapy, which involves gradually exposing the person to driving-related situations in a safe and controlled environment, can also be effective.

In addition to therapy, there are several self-help strategies that can help alleviate symptoms of vehophobia. These include deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization techniques. Joining a support group or online community of individuals who share similar fears and experiences can also be helpful.

It is important to note that vehophobia is a real and serious condition that can greatly impact one’s quality of life. If you or someone you know is struggling with vehophobia, seek help from a qualified mental health professional. With the right treatment and support, it is possible to overcome this fear and regain confidence behind the wheel.

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Source: “Vehophobia (Fear of driving)” — Trauma Research UK

WTF Fun Fact 13312 – Hairbrush History

Who knew hairbrush history was so fascinating (and painful-sounding?). It turns out that the first mass-produced hairbrush was created in England during the 1770s. They were made of pig bristle, which was a big improvement of their predecessors. Some of those were made of porcupine quills!

Hair-raising hairbrush history

The earliest hairbrushes date back to antiquity. They were constructed out of many different materials, such as animal bones, shells, and bird feathers.

Hairbrushes were employed to style hair as well as clean up dirt and tangles. It wasn’t until the 18th century (specifically the 1770s) that the modern hair brush as we know it today appeared.

In the 1770s, pig bristles were used to make the first hairbrush that was mass-produced. It was not only more resilient, but it also made detangling hair easier.

The evolution of hairbrushes

Hair brushes became better and more advanced over time. A new kind of hairbrush with a concave form and gentle bristles was developed during the early 1800s, making it simpler to style hair. The creation of elaborate hairstyles like bouffants and beehives became popular using this design.

By the 20th century. there were many different kinds of hair brushes available, each with a distinct function. While some are used to detangle hair, others are intended to increase volume or produce a certain hairstyle. A lot of contemporary hair brushes also have features like ion-infused technology or heat-resistant bristles.

Lyda Newman was an African American inventor who was awarded a patent in 1898 for her design of an improved hairbrush. Her hairbrush was unique in that it had evenly spaced synthetic bristles that could be removed for cleaning or replacement. This design addressed the common issue of hairbrushes collecting dirt and oils, which made them difficult to clean and often resulted in hair loss. Newman’s invention revolutionized the hairbrush industry and her design is still used today.

The benefits of brushing

A hair brush can be used for more than just detangling hair. It can be used to distribute natural oils from the scalp more evenly to the ends. Brushing your hair can also help to maintain healthy, lustrous hair. It even aids in exfoliating the scalp, removing dead skin cells, and encouraging strong hair growth.

Frequent hair brushing can aid in preventing split ends and breakage by gently and evenly detangling hair. The blood flow to the scalp can be stimulated by brushing your hair. This encourages hair development and maintains healthy hair.

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Source: “Antique Hair Brush History, Brands & Sophisticated Styles” — Love to Know

WTF Fun Fact 13311 – Lungs As Big As Tennis Court

It sounds pretty impressive to have lungs as big as a tennis court. But it’s true for all of us.

How are lungs as big as a tennis court?

The surface area of the lungs is about 70 to 100 square meters. That’s roughly the size of a tennis court. This is due to the intricate network of tiny air sacs called alveoli found within the lungs. The average adult has a total lung capacity of around 4-6 liters.

The alveoli are incredibly small. In fact, each one measures only about 0.3 millimeters in diameter. However, they are numerous. An estimated 480 million alveoli exist in the lungs of an average adult. These tiny air sacs are the places where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place. This is what allows us to breathe and provides our bodies with the oxygen needed to function.

Our amazing lungs

To help with the process of breathing, the lungs are surrounded by a thin layer of muscle called the diaphragm. When the diaphragm contracts, it pulls downward and creates a vacuum that allows air to flow into the lungs. When the diaphragm relaxes, it pushes upward and forces air out of the lungs.

Did you know that lungs are not identical in size or shape? The right lung is larger. It has three lobes, while the left lung is smaller and has only two lobes. This asymmetry allows for space to be made for the heart, which is located on the left side of the body.

The lungs are also the only organ that can float on water. That’s because they’re composed mostly of air, which is less dense.

Lungs even have the ability to regenerate and repair themselves. That’s due to the stem cells in the respiratory system. This regenerative capacity is especially important in combating respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.

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Source: “How Your Lungs Get the Job Done” — American Lung Association

WTF Fun Fact 13308 – Smart Slime

Have you ever heard of “smart slime”?

Physarum polycephalum is a type of slime mold. Fun, right? Well, it’s actually found in many natural areas around the world. If you run across it, throw it a puzzle!

This mold is capable of solving complex mazes and other spatial problems without a brain or nervous system. Ok, not a boxed puzzle.

Despite lacking a brain, this organism has navigated mazes and established efficient routes between food sources. Scientists still don’t know what to think.

How does “smart slime” work?

So how does Physarum polycephalum do it? According to some researchers, the key lies in the way that this slime mold processes and responds to information.

Humans and other animals rely on centralized nervous systems to process and interpret information from the environment. But slime molds are decentralized and they exhibit a more distributed form of intelligence.

One striking example of this distributed intelligence can be seen in the way that slime molds navigate mazes. When placed in a maze with multiple food sources, slime molds are able to explore and test different paths! They gradually identify the most efficient routes between the food sources. This ability has been attributed to the slime mold’s ability to sense and respond to different environmental cues. In other words, they can sense the presence of food, humidity, and light. But it’s a whole extra step to use that information to solve problems!

Some researchers have suggested that the slime mold’s ability to solve spatial problems may be related to its ability to process information in a way that is fundamentally different from known forms of intelligence. For example, one study found that Physarum polycephalum is capable of solving the “shortest path problem.” This involves finding the shortest route between two points in a network.

Humans typically solve this problem by analyzing and comparing different routes. But slime mold is able to accomplish the same task by physically growing and adapting to the network itself. Say what?!

Nature loves a puzzle

Despite its remarkable abilities, Physarum polycephalum is still a subject of ongoing research and debate among scientists. Some researchers believe that the slime mold’s distributed intelligence may hold the key to developing new forms of artificial intelligence. Other people are understandably freaked out by that.

Many scientists are focused on understanding the fundamental biological mechanisms underlying its behavior before they go trying to turn it into a monster.

One thing is clear: the slime mold’s abilities are truly remarkable. As we continue to study and learn from this fascinating organism, we may even discover new insights into the nature of intelligence, adaptation, and evolution itself.

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Source: “This Weirdly Smart, Creeping Slime Is Redefining How We Understand Intelligence” — ScienceAlert

WTF Fun Fact 13307 – Project Pigeon

During World War II, the United States government developed a program to train pigeons to guide missiles to their targets. This program was known as Project Pigeon or Project Orcon. It was developed by psychologist B.F. Skinner and was intended to provide an alternative to radio-controlled guidance systems, which were vulnerable to jamming and interference.

Using animals in technology

The idea behind Project Pigeon was simple: Skinner would train pigeons to peck at a target on a screen, and their pecking guided a missile to its target. To prove this, Skinner trained the pigeons to associate the target with food and were able to peck accurately and consistently, even under stressful conditions.

The military ultimately discontinued the program in favor of other guidance systems. But the concept of using animals to guide technology has continued to be a topic of interest and research in modern times. Today, researchers are exploring the use of trained animals such as dogs, rats, and even bees to detect and respond to various stimuli, including explosives, drugs, and diseases.

What was Project Pigeon?

During World War II, the United States government needed to develop an effective guidance system for missiles and other weapons. Radio-controlled systems had proved vulnerable to jamming and interference, and researchers were eager to explore alternative approaches.

Psychologist BF Skinner believed that he could train animals to guide missiles to their targets. His idea was based on the principle of operant conditioning, which he had developed through his work with laboratory animals.

The basic idea behind Skinner’s approach was to train pigeons to associate a target on a screen with the release of food. He then placed the pigeons in the nose of a missile, where they would peck at the target on the screen. This would send signals to the missile’s guidance system and steer it toward its target.

Skinner’s idea eventually received support from the military. The military developed it into a program known as Project Pigeon or Project Orcon. They trained of hundreds of pigeons, housing them in special compartments in the nose of the missile.

While the program never saw actual use in combat, it did succeed in demonstrating the potential of animal-guided technology.

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Source: “B.F. Skinner’s Pigeon-Guided Rocket” — Smithsonian Magazine