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How the Eiffel Tower Was Built: The Marvel of 1889

In the winter of 1887, Parisian journalists gathered at a curious construction site on the Champ de Mars. There, amid wooden scaffolding and the rhythmic clang of hammers, they witnessed what one reporter would describe as men "reaping lightning bolts in the clouds."

Alan Smithee: The Worst Director in Hollywood

For over 30 years, one name appeared again and again as the director of some of the worst movies ever made - Alan Smithee. But Alan Smithee wasn't a real person. He was a pseudonym used by Hollywood directors who wanted to disavow their finished films.

Emmanuel Nwude: The Man Behind the $242 Million Nigerian Airport Scam

In the late 1990s, a brazen fraudster named Emmanuel Nwude pulled off one of history's most outrageous cons - selling a fictional airport to a gullible Brazilian bank director for a whopping $242 million.

The Oldest Customer Complaint: A 4,000-Year-Old Complaint to Ea-Nasir

The next time you find yourself composing an angry email to customer service, take comfort in knowing you're participating in a tradition nearly four millennia old. Long before Yelp reviews and Twitter rants, an irate customer named Nanni etched his frustrations into clay, creating what would become the world's oldest documented customer complaint. His target? A copper merchant named Ea-Nasir...

The Burning of the Library of Alexandria: Myths and History

For centuries, the phrase "burning of the Library of Alexandria" has conjured an image of mankind's greatest collection of knowledge going up in flames. It's become a metaphor for the triumph of ignorance over learning, a cautionary tale passed down through generations.
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This is the Deepest Hole on Earth

In Jules Verne's "Journey to the center of the Earth" was a book that fascinated me as a child. It made me wonder about what lies deep underneath our surface. Then I learned about Superdeep Borehole. This man-made hole secluded within the untamed expanse of Russia's Kola Peninsula is an exceptional relic of engineering prowess. The Kola Superdeep Borehole remains the deepest man-made point on our planet. This extraordinary project seized global intrigue, igniting a burning desire to uncover the secrets beneath our feet.

Black holes are the Darkest and Brightest objects in the Universe

In the vast expanse of our cosmic playground, Black Holes reign supreme as enigmatic wonders that simultaneously perplex and captivate astronomers and space lovers alike. As the darkest and brightest objects in the universe, they present an enthralling paradox that invites us to explore their mysteries further.

Yasuke: the first Black Samurai

In the closing years of the 16th century, Japan, a remarkable figure rose through the ranks of society to become the first black samurai in history. Yasuke, a man of African origin, embarked on an extraordinary journey that saw him forge a lasting place in Japanese lore. His remarkable odyssey, which started in Africa and culminated in Japan, defied racial and societal norms, etching his name on the annals of Japan's feudal past.

Origin of “In A Jiffy”

Say you face a tight deadline when suddenly your watch stops working. No problem - you assure your impatient client that the requested analysis will arrive in a jiffy. But how long exactly is the nebulous unit we call a "jiffy"? While often used loosely when referring to time, this versatile term carries surprisingly precise meanings across scientific fields. Yet no single definition prevails - instead, a jiffy's duration shifts dramatically based on context.

Maryland’s state sport: Jousting

The clamor of hooves pounding dirt fills the summer air as two riders in glinting armor charge forward, wooden lances tilted. At the moment of impact, cheers erupt from the crowd as splinters explode in a thrilling burst. While this scene may seem fit for a Renaissance fair, it plays out every year at Maryland jousting tournaments that uphold a centuries-old tradition.

The Millions in Lost Pocket Change on Planes

You reach for your phone and keys as you grab your bag and jacket to dash off a flight. In the shuffle, a few errant coins slip out from your pocket, rolling under the seat as you rush away. Multiply those forgotten pennies and quarters by millions of airline passengers each year, and you have a financial phenomenon - the millions of dollars in loose change left annually on commercial flights.
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