Here is 25 Kickass Random Facts List #162.
1-5 Kickass Random Facts
1. The first stealth technology test failed. They couldn’t understand why until they noticed a bird sitting on the test object. They blew a loud horn, the bird flew off, and the test object disappeared from the radar screen showing stealth technology was a success. – Source
2. In 1858, a massive brawl between more than 50 US Representatives ended when a missed punch between two Reps knocked the wig off of Representative Barksdale’s head. The embarrassed Barksdale accidentally replaced the wig backwards, causing both sides to erupt in spontaneous laughter. – Source
3. Nigerian scammers once sold a fake airport to a major international bank for $242 million, and the scam wasn’t discovered till 3 years later. – Source
4. Henry Allingham, the oldest Briton in history, credited his longevity to “cigarettes, whisky and wild, wild women – and a good sense of humor.” He fought in WWI, worked as an engineer in WWII, and died at the age of 113. – Source
5. Margaret Thatcher was reportedly more proud of becoming the first Prime Minister with a science degree than the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. – Source
6-10 Kickass Random Facts
6. There was a little ice age between 1600 and 1814. The river Thames in London used to completely freeze over for 2 months per year allowing “Frost Fairs” to take place with football pitches, bowling matches, fruit-sellers, shoemakers, barbers and even a pub or two. – Source
7. In China, 97% of all counterfeit bills in circulation originate from the templates hand-drawn by 73-year-old painter Peng Daxiang. Peng profited by selling templates between $8000 and $12,000 each to counterfeiting gangs. Peng was arrested in 2013 and is currently serving a life sentence in prison. – Source
8. In 1517, a nobleman offered to pay a corrupt Catholic monk for an indulgence in order to forgive him of a future sin. The monk quickly agreed and granted it, but as he rode out of town the nobleman attacked and beat him. He then told the monk that was the future sin he had in mind. – Source
9. The company behind ITT Tech was once one of the biggest conglomerates on Earth. They grossed $8 Billion in 1970, were heavily involved in the Brazilian and Chilean coupes, and were recently fined $100 Million for violations of the Arms Export Control Act. – Source
10. China is the birthplace of the seismograph. Built in 132 A.D., it consisted of 8 metal dragons holding 8 carved balls over 8 frogs. If an earthquake made the ground vibrate, the dragon facing the quake’s source would drop a ball into the mouth of its corresponding frog. – Source
11-15 Kickass Random Facts
11. U.S. Marine Smedley Butler, one of the most decorated servicemen in American history, was a staunch critic of U.S. military endeavors, including his own participation, saying “In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism.” – Source
12. There was a second Fukushima nuclear power plant, 10 km to the south that suffered the same crippling tsunami damage, but was saved from meltdown by a capable leader and a heroic staff. – Source
13. The SpongeBob pitch to Nickelodeon was so good that the executives had to step outside from laughter. – Source
14. 1st generation immigrants’ children are less likely to commit crime than natives and 2nd generation children. – Source
15. There is a superstition in knitting called The Sweater Curse, which implies that knitting one’s significant other a sweater will result in a breakup. – Source
16-20 Kickass Random Facts
16. A growing number of wealthy women are getting cosmetic surgery known as Blowtox. In this procedure, Botox is injected into the scalp. This stops nerves from activating sweat glands so that they can emerge from the gym with their hair still looking blow-dried. – Source
17. There are over 5.5 million vending machines in Japan that turn over almost 7 trillion yen annually. – Source
18. Elvis’ manager sold “I Hate Elvis” badges to make money from those who otherwise wouldn’t have parted with their cash for Elvis merchandise. – Source
19. Cordoba Fighting dog is a breed so aggressive that it is preferred for fighting rather than breeding because a male and a female would usually engage in bloody combat rather than mate, leading to its extinction. – Source
20. The Powerpuff Girls were originally called the Whoopass Girls. Instead of accidentally adding Chemical X to his mixture of sugar, spice, and everything nice, the Professor accidentally added “a can of whoopass.” – Source
21-25 Kickass Random Facts
21. U2 pilots were given cyanide suicide pills. After a pilot almost accidentally ingested a suicide pill instead of candy during a flight, the suicide pills were then put into boxes to avoid confusion. – Source
22. The ZIP in ZIP Code stands for: Zone Improvement Plan. – Source
23. There is a spider that builds larger fake spiders and hangs them in its web – Source
24. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was supported by 80% of the Republican House members, and 82% of the Republican Senate members. – Source
25. In 1931, Olympic medalist Betty Robinson was mistakenly identified as dead, was placed in the trunk of a car, and driven to the morgue. She recovered and won gold again in 1936. – Source
