We all have our favorite foods.  Most of the time, we don’t even think about how it even got to the local market, let alone where/when it came to be.  We just know what we like; and, it sure tastes good.  But, just in case you are the curious sort and have ever wondered, here are some fun food facts to tantalize your taste buds.

French Fries

Naturally, when you think of French fries, you assume that this most common of fast food wonders was invented by the French.  But, you might be wrong about that fact.

The debate is still raging about which country can take the claim to fame, when it comes to this French fried potato.  Although the French will adamantly state that the dish is aptly named, the Belgians might take exception.  According to their historical recollections, Belgians claim the French fry fist became popular in the 1700’s, when all of the rivers froze over in the area of Wallonie. Since fried fish was the main source of their nutrition, the people had to come up with something different; so, they turned to the potato.

Naturally, there is no way a potato can even come close to tasting like friend fish.  But, according to the Belgians, their ancestors gave it a good try.  Because they really liked their fried foods, it’s believed the potatoes were originally cut into shapes that loosely resembled little fish, and then deep fried.

Of course, the French still believe they were responsible for this tasty discovery, during the same period of time in history.

The Hamburger

Of course, what is a great French fry without a hamburger to chase it down? But, as you are biting into that meat patty with pickles, ketchup, mustard, onions, cheese, have you ever wonder where this popular fast food got its start?

If you want, you can decide it started with the Mongols.  Always on the move, it’s said these warrior didn’t even stop for a meal.  To avoid slowing down to eat, the warriors had people sharing carts with animals ready for the butcher’s knife.  After the meat was cut into pieces by the mobile servants, it was tenderized by placing it under the saddles of the riders.  When it was time to eat, the rider simply grabbed the softened meat and ate it raw.

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Others believe the first hamburger was invented in New Haven, Connecticut.  Supposedly, a customer needed a lunch to go.  So, the cook made a meat patty and stuck it between two slices of bread. Of course, if you come from Wisconsin, you will want to believe that a kid named Charlie decided to smash a meatball between two slices of bread and called it a hamburger. In 1885, the same year that Wisconsins claim the hamburger was invented, faithful New Yorkers believe that two brothers created this favorite food.

So, depending on where your loyalties lie, you can decide what you believe are the origins of the hamburger; or, you might just be glad someone thought of a great idea.

Pizza

Pizza has got to be one of the most popular foods. In one pie, diners can potentially eat something from all of the major food groups, depending on the toppings. Of course, that is one of the reasons why pizza is so yummy. You can top it with whatever you desire, in order to make it extra tasty.  But, have you ever considered who might have had the very first pizza pie?

If you really want to get technical, the first pizza pie is probably as old as man himself. In the beginning, cooks would make a batch of unleavened bread.  Then, they would flatten it out and add toppings, before baking it.  Like the pizza of today, the ingredients depended on personal tastes.

Okay.  If you are not one to let go of lifelong notions easily, the first pizzas, as we know them today, probably originated in Italy. In the first century B.C., someone named Virgil wrote down his pizza recipe before he died.  Calzones and other wonderful pizza creations have a strong history in Italy.

Regardless of where we live, or the origins, everyone has a favorite food.  But, there are some foods that are more common favorites than others.  Today, convenience seems to be the biggest deciding factor.  Fast foods or delivery items are really popular. But, long before there were drive-thru restaurants or home delivery, those favorite foods started in someone’s home.  Somebody had a great idea that eventually became such a tasty treat that it was passed down from one generation to another.  The history may even have been lost over time; but, the legacy lives on, and it sure tastes good!

In school, you may not have been a history buff.  After all, it meant memorizing a lot of names and dates you would not likely remember after school was out.  Unless you became a history teacher yourself, you might not see in real purpose in knowing all of these historical facts.  However, you might change your mind about history, just a bit, after you learn a few fun facts that are simply amusing and interesting.  For example:

Did you know . . .

Duct tape was first invented for the Army during World War II.  It was created to solve the problem of protecting ammunition from getting wet, and subsequently not being of any use when needed.  The taped worked.  It kept the ammunition free of moisture.

Although it only came in kelly green at the time, the tape was actually called duck tape, in the beginning, because moisture rolled off of the surface, much like water rolls off the back of a duck.  However, the army soon found some more great uses for this awesomely versatile and strong tape.

It wasn’t long before they discovered that this very strong substance was also great for temporarily fixing mechanical problems with jeeps, until they could get back to base.  Probably the most amazing fact about duct tape is the fact that it might be responsible for saving lives out in the field.  After being wounded, soldiers sometimes used duct tape to bind the injured, until they could get them to proper medical care.

Now you know that duct tape is even more versatile than even you imagined.  So, next time you use it to fix something around the house, you will remember that it got its beginning during a very unsettling time in world history.

Did you know . . .

Eight of the forty-four United States presidents have been left-handed. If you do the math, that is eighteen percent.  While that doesn’t seem like any big deal, maybe it would be a little bit more interesting; if you knew that the national average says that only about ten percent of the population is lefties.

Even if you aren’t an avid reader, when someone brings up the topic of famous writers, who comes to mind?  Most people think of a popular author discussed in school or maybe the person who wrote a book that was eventually turned into an epic movie that they really enjoyed.  If given the title of a book, it might be easy to come up with the name of the author; likewise, if you are told the name of a writer, you might know what he/she wrote, even if you have never read the book, simply because the individual is so well known.  But, do you know anything about the person that was the inspiration behind your favorite movie, or wrote the book that you just can’t put down and have read more than once.  Well, here are a couple that might be just a little bit interesting.

Charles Dickens

Even if you don’t like to read classical fiction, you have probably heard of one of his most famous works, A Christmas Carol. The book has been made into several different adaptations of the same theme, from the time of silent films until the most recent animated movie starring Jim Carey.  But, did you know that he also wrote four other Christmas stories, each darker than the previous one?

If you have ever taken a writing class, one of the first things you will be taught is to write about things you know.  It will give your piece credibility.  If you try to write about things you don’t really understand, it will show in your finished work.

Most people know that Charles Dickens wrote about the society of his day.  The rich were very rich, and the poor were very poor.  But, what you might find interesting is the fact that he and his family were actually put into debtors’ prison, just like the characters in David Copperfield or Great Expectations.  Although the stories are definitely a work of fiction, the foundation is based in  part on some of the facts of his own life.

Dickens actually got his start as an editor for a paper.  Many of his works were published in the paper in serial form.  Readers would have to wait for the next installment.  He suffers a stroke and dies, before the last installment of his final book is written.

William Shakespeare

Everyone who has gone to school has heard of William Shakespeare.  For those that are fans of poetry, they have probably read more than one of his most famous works. Some would say that he is the most famous poet of his time and still today. But, for those that have really studied his writing, it soon becomes obvious that Shakespeare probably didn’t enjoy the acclaim to fame he has received posthumously.

Shakespeare is a radical of his time.  His writings and his plays were often far from what we would call socially acceptable.  He pushed the limits in both his personal and professional life.

Many of Shakespeare’s plays were acted out in the Globe theatre.  Shakespeare himself was listed as an actor in some of the plays.  Usually, he played bit parts, so he could concentrate on writing.  Unfortunately, the Globe burned down in 1613, after a cannon shot, during the play, started a fire.

For all of his fame today, Shakespeare had a troubled life. His marriage to his wife was a little rushed, as she was already pregnant.  They also had twins a couple of years later.  But, there is some question as to where his true allegiances lay.  Based on some of his sonnets, many scholars believe that Shakespeare was bisexual, and the young gentleman in his love sonnets was a young man of the time that was obviously homosexual.

Shortly before his death, Shakespeare had his will rewritten.  In the will, he left not his best bed but the second and the coverings to his lovely wife.  Shakespeare left majority of his estate his eldest daughter Susanna, and no further mention of his wife was made.  No one knows exactly why precipitated this change.  But, his troubled existence may explain why much of his work was filled with some of the darkest aspects of society. Much of his work may have reflected some of his own internal turmoil.

After only looking at two very well known men that have written some of the most memorable works in history, it seems to support the theory that authors do their best work, when they write about what they know firsthand.  Both of this notable classic writers experienced both successes and failures in their personal and professional lives.  If you take the time to study the correlations, the ups and downs are sure to be reflected in each masterpiece that readers still appreciate today.

How many times has a friend told a story that was so outlandish that it was impossible to believe?  Most, if not all, of the time they were kidding, just to see how gullible you could be.  But, there are some totally strange but true stories that have been documented.

Werewolf Boy

A young boy in India is desperate for a cure to a strange disease.  He has hypertrichosis.  It is more commonly known as werewolf syndrome.  The only parts of his body that do not grow hair are the palms of his hands and the soles of his feet.

This young man has thick hair all over his body.  It gets matted.  He cannot leave his house very often, because he is accosted by the public.  The condition has gotten so bad; his parents even tried laser surgery to get rid of the unwanted hair.  While that procedure prevents the growth of hair on many people, this boy’s hair simply grows right back.

Other therapies have also been attempted.  But, nothing has worked.  The doctors do not know how to treat this rare disorder.

Bees, Bees, and more Bees

Almost everyone that drives a car has been stuck in traffic at one time or another.  Oftentimes, it’s an accident that needs to be cleared off the road, before motorists can proceed.  But, what would you do, if that accident involved thousands of honey bees?

In California, a truck transporting approximately 30,000 bees was involved in an accident and overturned.  Naturally, the poor, clueless insects were scared and not a little angry. Police officers, firemen and even tow truck drivers were trying to get the bees to calm down and return to their disturbed hives. As expected, it was a sting-fest for the bees.

It took over 7 hours to corral all of the bees and reopen the highway to traffic.

Shipped Home

When we think of most people being shipped home, we naturally think of a passenger on an ocean liner. Although the journey may take days or weeks, there is food, water, a nice place to sleep, and even entertainment.

But, there was once a young man that took the term “shipped home” to a whole new meaning. Like many young people separated from their parents by time and distance, this fellow really wanted to see his parents.  Unfortunately, he didn’t have the money to travel home.

So, he got this not-so-bright idea to have himself nailed into a crate, so he could be loaded as cargo onto an airplane. Fortunately, he was not loaded in the unpressurized and unheated belly section of the plane. He made it home, but only because it was loaded in a section reserved for pets and other items that would be damaged by the extreme temperatures.

Unfortunately, law enforcement was not so impressed by this man’s ingenuity.  He was checked out and promptly arrested on other unrelated charges.

For the Birds

Many citizens have difficulty trusting their governments.  Are they really there to look out for everyone’s best interests, or are they simply going to “feather their own nests”?

Well, for the residents of one Ecuadorian city, their mayor really is for the birds. After answer what he thought were nonsensical questions for the umpteenth time, he got a brilliant idea.  He appointed a parrot as his chief spokesman, in order to answer all of those useless questions in a useless manner, so he had more time to get his job done.

Beating a Rap

What would you be willing to do, if a cop stopped you for driving under the influence of alcohol, and you wanted to trick the breathalyzer into registering under the legal limit?

Would you be willing to eat your underwear?

In court, a group of high school students that were observing had to be removed from the room, when the defendant testified he tried to eat his underwear, in the hopes that the cotton would absorb some of the alcohol in his system.

He was subsequently acquitted of the charges, but not before the judge had to restore order in the court.  How much do you want to make a bet that the judge had a good giggle back in his chambers after that case?  Let’s call a recess.

Bizarre things happen every day. But, some stories are so strange and true that they actually make the news. Many are simply due to the illogical actions of an individual under pressure; others are caused by some billionth of a chance occurrence, in which no one has control, and the answer is often illusive. But, they are definitely worth telling.

No matter where you live, you will experience weather of one kind or another every day.  If you live in the Antarctic, you will probably have snow.  If you live in the tropics, you will have hot days.  While the weather behaves exactly as expected on the majority of days, there are times when the weather is so freaky that it behaves in a total unexpected manner, often with drastic results.  On these days, you are probably pretty confident that there has never been a day like this one before; but would you be right?

The Biggest Snowstorm in History

In reality, it is difficult, if not impossible to definitively recount the biggest snowstorm in history.  For one thing, recording the weather is something fairly new in history.  Although the actual totals were never recorded, some believe the worst snowstorm was in 1772, during the time of George Washington, when a blizzard covered the entire mid-Atlantic.  Barack Obama declared the blizzard of 2010 the worst that area has ever seen.

But, we will never really know.  However, a best guess involves much more than the amount of snow that piled up.  People who record the worst storms also factor in the winds and, sadly, the human toll.

In recorded history, the biggest blizzard may have been the one that hit the mid-west in 1967.  Chicago and the surrounding area got over 2 feet of snow.  In addition to the snowfall, the wind blew at over 50 mph.  Almost a foot fell in less than 24 hours. Unfortunately, in order to earn the title, it also meant that over 70 people lost their lives during the blizzard.

The Biggest Hail

Look out Nebraskans.  Your state is becoming famous for producing the biggest chunks of hail in history. Until June of 2003, Kansas held the record for a hailstone that measured 5.7 inches in diameter. However, it is believed that the town of Potter, Nebraska had a hailstone that measure 7 inches in diameter, way back in 1928. But, it didn’t count because it wasn’t officially recorded.

So, in 2003, Nebraska decided to make it official for the record books. A hailstone measuring 7 inches in diameter and 17.8 inches in circumference was recovered from Aurora, because some residents decide to preserve the evidence.  Almost as big as a soccer ball, the hailstone now has permanent residence at the National Atmospheric Research Center in Boulder Colorado.  Way to go Nebraska!

The Longest Lasting Tornado

Even if you are a daredevil storm chaser, there are times when the weather is just so totally out of control, you would be insane not to be scared out of your wits.  Everyone understands that if it weren’t for brave people like you, who follow close to the storms, the United States would not have some of the best weather alerts systems on the planet.  But, even you must have to run from the longest lasting tornado.

The most prolific tornado in recorded history lasted for 3.5 hours.  It travels a distance of 219 miles, between Ellington, Indiana and Princeton, Missouri.

Unfortunately, the tornado occurred March 3, 1925, long before they had any type of severe weather warning alert systems.  The tornado traveled through 3 states and killed 695 people, including 17 children that were just attending a school that collapsed under the onslaught.

The most Rain to Fall in a Single Year

If you don’t like the rain, then may I suggest you don’t move to India?  They hold 2 Guinness book world records for the most rainfall ever recorded in a single year. Cherrapunji, a town in Megahalaya, India had over 904 inches of rain between August of 1860 and July, 1861,

The Hottest Day of the Year

In 1922, the thermometer reached 136 degrees Fahrenheit in Libya.  Prior to breaking their record, Death Valley, California recorded the hottest temperature in 1913.  The mercury spiked at a whopping 134 degrees Fahrenheit.

Next time you want to complain about the weather, thinking it has to be the worst day ever, you might want to reconsider.  Normally, the weather is pretty predictable.  If you live in the north, you are bound to have snow and cold.  If you live in the south, you can count on needing an air conditioner, especially during the summer months.  If you live in the mid-west, you will always have an eye for any strange clouds in the sky that might suddenly sprout an ominous looking tail; and, if you live in places like India, you can expect plenty of rain during the monsoon season.

Every once in a while the weather really gets out of control.  No modern technology, no matter how sophisticated, can predict what is going to happen next.  The best you can hope for is to simply not be in the wrong place at the wrong time, while at the same time being amazed with the weather phenomenon when it strikes.