In Greek mythology, the rainbow was considered to be a path made by a messenger (Iris) between Earth and Heaven. In Chinese mythology, the rainbow was a slit in the sky sealed by Goddess Nuwa using stones of five different colours. In Hindu mythology, the rainbow is called Indradhanush, meaning the bow of Indra, the God of lightning and thunder....Read more

The Agulhas current in the western Indian Ocean is the fastest ocean current in the world. Even so, its speed is only 6 miles per hour.

In Switzerland during the Reformation, al instrumental and choral music was banned from churches. In Germany, disapproval of carols resulted in some being converted into hymns.

An observation by author Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852): "When a man is young, he is so wild he is insufferable. When he is old, he plays the saint and becomes insufferable again."

An insect exerts so much energy in one hour of flying that it may lose as much as a third of its total body weight.

The spaceship in the sci-fi classic The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) was 25 feet high and was built on a studio backlot. It had to show no visible openings or hatches, yet had to open at certain times. The film's art directors incorporated an invisible split in its sides that was sealed over with soft plastic and coated with silver paint. ...Read more

The Humane Society estimates that there are 800,000 dog bites that require medical attention every year. Dog bites rank second behind sexually transmitted diseases as the most costly health problem in the United States. Over 60 percent of those bitten are children, and 80 percent of the

The first coin-operated machine ever designed was a holy-water dispenser that required a five-drachma piece to operate. It was the brainchild of the Greek scientist Hero in the first century A.D.

In the classic French kitchen using the brigade system, this is the person responsible for the preparation of all cold foods. This can include appetizers, desserts, pates, cold sauces, salads, dressing and sandwiches. Also known as pantry chef.

Tuberculosis is one of the world's oldest diseases. Some ancient mummies found in Egypt and Peru had tuberculosis.