Hav
e you ever found yourself scrolling through social media, stumbling upon some random facts that leave you scratching your head in disbelief? Well, we've compiled a list of some cool, bizarre and often-unknown facts to spark your curiosity and make you go "huh, I never knew that!"
1. Did you know that the shortest war ever recorded lasted just 38 minutes? In 1896, the Sultan of Zanzibar declared war on the British Empire by raising his flag over the palace. However, the British had already sent a ship in anticipation and within 38 minutes, the war was over and the Sultan had surrendered.
2. Speaking of wars, did you know that during World War II, the Allies planned to drop thousands of live bats with incendiary bombs on Japan? The idea was that bats would roost in the wooden structures of Japanese cities and then the bombs would detonate, causing widespread fires.
3. If you're fascinated by animals, you might be surprised to learn that the tongue of a blue whale is so large that 50 people could stand on it. Also, a group of flamingos is called a flamboyance and baby sloths learn to swim by holding onto their mom's fur.
4. In the world of aviation, did you know that the world's smallest airport is located in an Alpine village in the Swiss Alps? The runway is only 171 feet long, making it the shortest commercial runway in the world.
5. Have you ever heard of the uncanny valley? It's a term used to describe the feeling of discomfort or unease when humans encounter robots or other artificial entities that appear almost, but not quite, human. This is because our brains identify them as human, but something is just slightly off, causing a creepy feeling.
6. In the world of food, did you know that the world's largest pizza was made in 2012 in Rome and measured 131 feet in diameter? Also, Nutella was invented during World War II when an Italian pastry maker mixed hazelnuts into chocolate to stretch his limited cocoa supply.
7. Did you know that there is a rare condition called exploding head syndrome that causes a person to hear loud noises as they are falling asleep or waking up? The sounds are likened to explosions, gunshots or screams, but are all in the person's head. So there you have it, some chilly and odd facts to keep you entertained and informed. Have you discovered any interesting facts yourself lately? Share them in the comments below!