10 unexpected facts that can make your brain work hard (11 photos)
The world is full of mysteries and subtle but fascinating details that we don't even know about.
Did you know that pandas can eat up to 40 kilograms of bamboo per day? And that the ancient Rajputs disguised their horses as elephants to deceive their enemies? In this collection you will find the most unusual facts from the world of food, animals, history and mysticism - they will definitely make you look at familiar things in a new way
1. Royal meal
After a hearty long meal, lions can sleep for up to 24 hours.
2. Toothpaste for connoisseurs
In 1954, American Don Poynter introduced the world to an unusual invention - whiskey-flavored toothpaste. The main feature of the product was its composition, containing 3% alcohol, which made the paste especially attractive to lovers of strong drinks. The product was available in two versions: with the aroma of American or Scotch whiskey, and each tube guaranteed a slight "heady" effect.
The unusual toothpaste quickly gained popularity, becoming a real trend among those who wanted to combine oral care with the pleasure of a soft alcoholic aftertaste. This non-standard product brought Don Poynter wide fame, but the success was short-lived. Over time, the idea was copied by other manufacturers, which led to fierce competition. As a result, Poynter decided to stop producing his famous toothpaste. Nevertheless, this original product will forever remain in history as an example of an unusual approach to everyday goods.
3. Symbolic tradition
In Japan, there is a tradition of hanami - a holiday of admiring the blooming sakura. People gather in parks to have a picnic under the trees, enjoying the beauty of flowers and their short-lived bloom. It is a reminder that all the beautiful things in life are fleeting.
4. Unconventional Art Direction
In 1917, artist Marcel Duchamp signed an ordinary factory urinal with the pseudonym R. Mutt and called it "Fountain", declaring it a work of art. This scandalous move became a key moment in the history of modern art, laying the foundations for conceptualism. Today, "Fountain" is considered one of the most influential works of the 20th century, although the original object was lost shortly after its creation.
5. Gluttonous Bears
Pandas can spend up to 16 hours a day eating. Despite the fact that their diet is 99% bamboo, they get almost no energy from it, so they are forced to eat huge quantities - up to 40 kilograms of bamboo per day. The rest of the time they sleep, saving energy
6. Multifaceted talent
Rowan Atkinson graduated from Queen's College, Oxford University, with a Master's degree in electrical engineering. It was during his studies that he met Richard Curtis, an active participant in the student theater movement. It was Curtis who suggested Atkinson try his hand at comic pantomime, which became the starting point for his acting career.
Rowan soon joined the Experimental Theater Club and the University Dramatic Society. There, he began creating humorous sketches that quickly gained popularity among students and teachers. Participation in these productions helped him to make a name for himself and even win several comedy festivals, laying the foundation for future success.
7. Military trick
In the Middle Ages, the Rajputs who lived in the Indian region of Marwar used an unusual and witty military trick. They created special masks for their horses with false trunks so that war elephants, seeing them, would mistake the horses for small elephants. This made the huge animals hesitate and refuse to attack, since they did not seek to harm their "babies".
At this critical moment, a specially trained horse would place its front hooves on the elephant's forehead, and the rider, taking advantage of the convenient position, would strike the animal's driver with a well-aimed spear blow. This tactic allowed the Rajputs to effectively confront the formidable war elephants on the battlefield.
8. Golden Dessert
The $1,000 Golden Phoenix Tiramisu from the Bloomsbury Club in Doha, Qatar, is the most expensive dessert in the world. Its key ingredients include rare cocoa beans, Ugandan vanilla, and edible gold. And to add to the exclusivity, the dessert is served in a solid gold bowl that you can take home.
9. A Treat for Special Creatures
In Scotland, there is an ancient tradition of leaving bowls of milk on the doorstep of the house for brownies - small household spirits who, according to legend, help around the house at night. If the brownies are offended or not left a treat, they can become angry and begin to bring bad luck and anxiety to the house.
10. A Promise Kept
As a child, Muhammad Ali suffered the insult of his idol, the legendary boxer Sugar Ray Robinson, refusing to give him an autograph. This event left a deep mark on his heart and influenced his future attitude towards fans. As a professional boxer, Ali promised himself never to refuse anyone who asked for his autograph. Throughout his career, he remained true to his promise, generously sharing his time and attention with fans.