The Final Frontier

Space begins and the atmosphere ends, experts say, about 50 miles up.

White House Design

The White House, completed Nov. 1, 1800, was modeled after a ducal mansion in Dublin, Ireland, the Leinster House. The architect, James Hoban, was Irish-American.

Star Trek and Civil Rights

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., didn’t just fight for civil rights. He also made a difference in Star Trek. Nichelle Nichols had decided to quit her role as Lt. Uhura in the science fiction drama because she didn’t have a contract, her lines and responsibility were being cut and the studio was withholding her fan mail. But King stepped in and urged Nichols to stay on the primetime show, calling her a role model for African Americans. Nichols followed King’s advice.

It’s a Long Song

The national anthem of Greece has 158 verses: a little bit of something for everyone.

Names for Hungry People

Someone who devours books, literally or figuratively, is a bibliophage while a cultrivore swallows knives. And if your primary food is honey, you’re mellivorous.

In the Eye of the Beholder

Egyptian vultures prove that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Females of the species often choose, as their mate, the male with the brightest yellow face. Unfortunately, this color comes from carotenoid, a yellow pigment found in the vulture’s fecal matter. Males who eat the most poop get the most girls.

Love Birds Pair Up

Love Birds know that two is better than one. These small members of the parrot family got their name because of their preference for sitting in pairs, so they can preen each other’s feathers.

The Deep Sea

Early oceanographers were surprised to discover that the deepest parts of the oceans are not in the center as was expected. Instead, the lowest points on earth are relatively close to the continents, usually forming V-shaped trenches. The deepest of these, the Marianas Trench, is 35,798 feet below sea level.

First Submarine

The world’s first submarine was an 18th century invention. David Bushnell designed the one-man, hand-propelled “American Turtle” because he needed a way to plant an underwater bomb on the hull of England’s “HMS Eagle” during the Revolutionary War. The ensuing attack — under cover of night — was unsuccessful, however, because Ezra Lee, the submarine pilot, struck metal instead of wood and was unable to attach the bomb to the bottom of the British boat.

Costly Hobby

Would you rather be fishing? Consider the cost. The average American angler spends $135 each year for tackle and other equipment.

How Much for a Pound?

How much is a pound worth? Since 1965, a pound of dimes has been equal to $20 in change. The same is true for a pound of quarters.

House Fires

Residential fires most frequently start in the kitchen. The bedroom is the second likeliest place, followed by the living room and the chimney. Laundry areas round out the top-5 list.

They’re Watching You

United States policemen operate more than 125,000 radar guns, and the average motorist can expect to be monitored at least 1,000 times in a lifetime of driving.

Making Honey

Bees will tap nectar from about 1 million flowers to make just one pound of honey.

Smooth Operator

In 1878, Emma Nutt was hired as the first female telephone operator. Telephone companies originally hired teenage boys to fill this position. Boys worked for low wages, and quite a few had experience in telegraph offices, but many boys had little patience for the work. Callers complained of pranks from the adolescent operators, and the boys were known to curse their customers.

14,400 Miles of Wire

Construction of the Brooklyn Bridge in the 19th century required 14,400 miles of wire to suspend the platform from the structure’s main cables.

Hawaii Holds SPAM Record

SPAM was introduced to the world in 1937. By July 2002, Hormel Foods had produced more than 6 billion cans of the processed meat. Residents of Hawaii eat an average four cans per person each year, more than any other place on earth.

Wonder Woman and the Polygraph

Dr. William Moulton Marston, the creator of comic-book superheroine Wonder Woman, also invented the systolic blood-pressure test, which became the basis for the polygraph lie detector.

Hot Dog Holiday

The average American eats 60 hot dogs every year, making the sausage one of the country’s favorite foods. There’s even a holiday season for the frankfurter: July is National Hot Dog Month.

Introverts Prefer Crackers

Neurologist Alan Hirsch discovered that your personality may determine the kind of snacks you like. His study found, for instance, that perfectionists tend to like tortilla chips. Introverts prefer crackers.