### School buses and their yellow paint
When you think of a school bus, that distinct shade of yellow probably comes to mind almost immediately. But did you know that this unique color, officially known as National School Bus Glossy Yellow, was chosen for safety reasons? Developed in 1939, the color is easy to see in the early morning and late afternoon light, when school buses typically operate. Studies have shown that people see yellow objects in their peripheral vision 1.24 times faster than red, making it the most effective color to grab attention and ensure children's safety on the road.
### Bubble wrap: accidental cushioning genius
Bubble wrap was invented in 1957, but not as a packing material. Engineers Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes were actually trying to create textured wallpaper. Although the wallpaper idea didn’t take off, they discovered its potential as a packing material. Now, bubble wrap is synonymous with shipping protection and even stress relief, thanks to the satisfying pop each bubble provides. It just goes to show that sometimes the best inventions come from the most unexpected places.
### Cleopatra lived closer to the moon landing than the Great Pyramid’s construction
When you think of ancient Egypt, you might imagine Cleopatra ruling amidst newly-built pyramids. However, Cleopatra lived around 2,500 years after the Great Pyramid of Giza was completed and about 2,000 years before the first lunar landing in 1969. This puts into perspective just how ancient the pyramids are and how relatively recent events in modern history can seem when compared.
### Bananas are berries, but strawberries aren’t
Here's a juicy tidbit: botanically speaking, bananas are berries. On the other hand, strawberries don’t fit the botanical criteria for berries as their seeds are on the outside. This quirky fact turns our everyday understanding of fruit on its head. According to botanical classification, berries must develop from a single ovary and contain seeds within the flesh. You’ll never look at your fruit salad the same way again.
### Octopuses have three hearts and blue blood
Octopus anatomy is filled with oddities, such as their three hearts. Two hearts pump blood to the gills, while the third pumps it to the rest of the body. Additionally, octopus blood is blue due to a copper-based molecule called hemocyanin, which is more efficient at transporting oxygen in cold, low-oxygen environments, such as the depths of the ocean. These fascinating cephalopods truly appear alien in many aspects of their biology.
### Honey never spoils
Honey has been found in ancient Egyptian tombs, still preserved and considered edible after thousands of years. This sweet phenomenon occurs because of honey’s unique properties. It’s naturally low in water content and high in acidity, creating an environment hostile to bacteria and microorganisms. This longevity has made honey not just a sweet treat but also a symbol of eternal life in various cultures.
### There’s a planet where it rains glass
Situated 64 light-years from Earth, the exoplanet HD 189733 b experiences sideways rain made of molten glass. Winds on this planet blow at speeds up to 5,400 mph, flinging glass particles through the air. This hostile environment offers a glimpse into the extreme and bizarre conditions that exist beyond our solar system, challenging our perceptions of what is possible in the universe.
### A day on Venus is longer than its year
On Venus, it takes roughly 243 Earth days for the planet to complete one full rotation on its axis, but only about 225 Earth days to orbit the sun. This means that a single day on Venus—defined by one complete rotation—is longer than its entire year. In addition to its slow rotation, Venus also spins in the opposite direction of Earth, leading to another surprising fact: the sun rises in the west and sets in the east on Venus.
### Pineapples can take up to two years to grow
The next time you enjoy a juicy bite of pineapple, consider the patience required to grow one. Pineapple plants take about 18-24 months to produce their first fruit. Once harvested, the plant can produce additional fruit, but the wait for the initial yield is a testament to nature’s slow and steady pace. Despite the long growing period, their sweet and tangy flavor certainly makes the wait worthwhile.
### Koalas’ fingerprints are indistinguishable from humans’
Koalas have fingerprints so similar to humans’ that they can be mistaken for each other at crime scenes. Each koala fingerprint is unique and shares several similar characteristics, such as loops and arches. This extraordinary similarity is a result of convergent evolution, where unrelated species evolve similar traits. The need for a good grip on tree branches likely led to the development of these precise patterns.
Fun and quirky facts you won't believe are true
