The word “purse” comes from the Greek “byrsa,” which described the thin leather used in the first drawstring bags.
Nelson Mandela was originally named Rolihlahla Mandela. One of his teachers renamed him in honor of Horatio Nelson. Several of my teachers called me by special names, but none of those were “Nelson.”
Edward Jenner is known as the “inventor of vaccinations” because of his success in developing a much needed inoculation that effectively prevented a disease that scarred, blinded and/or killed its victims. The idea for the world’s first vaccine came from a former milkmaid who informed Jenner that she once had cowpox and ergo could not catch smallpox. Actually, she likely did not say “ergo.”
Sometimes the experts are so wrong. In 1945 President Truman asked Admiral Leathy to advise him on the development of an atomic bomb. Leathy informed the chief executive “The bomb will never explode. I am saying this as an expert on the subject.”
During the War of 1812, the British captured Detroit without discharging even one cannon, musket or pistol.
The first three members of the Country Music Hall of Fame: Jimmy Rodgers, Hank Williams and Fred Rose.
U.S. patents are valid for seventeen years.
For you Peanut (Charlie Brown) fans, Woodstock was listed by Charles Schulz as “Snoopy’s bird secretary.”
The reason that foghorns bellow with very low pitches is that bass-level sounds carry the warnings significantly farther than high-pitched tones.
The force of gravity affects many aspects of our everyday lives. However, the electromagnetic force on earth is approximately 1 X 1020 times as strong as the force of gravity. That is why a small magnet can easily overcome gravitational pull and pick up a paperclip.
Most humans cannot hear the echolocation sounds emitted by bats. Many moths can detect the squeaks and will take panicky evasive action, if given escape opportunities.
You might want to go check the diamond settings in your rings. The British claim to have the world’s largest cut diamond with the “Great Star of Africa” at 530.2 carats. Estimates range as high as $500 million when placing a value on the unique gem. If by chance you possess a larger such stone (any color), requesting proper recognition would seem reasonable. Well, I hope your predictions are more accurate than those of Admiral Leathy – and that you have a great week. (jkwhite46@gmail.com)