Author Topic: Hilarious, dumb, or very unknown facts! (Read 21852 times)

Rocket T. Coyote · « **Reply #75 on:** August 24, 2016, 10:36:05 pm »

Each of the Gerry Anderson "Supermarionation" programs shown in the US--until Thunderbirds--featured a furry character: Supercar--Mitch The Monkey; Fireball XL5--Zoonie The Lazoon; Stingray--Oing (Seal).

Kayle · « **Reply #76 on:** August 26, 2016, 09:55:56 am »

The ford mustang was named after the P-51 Mustang, not simply the horse. It's originql target demographic was middle aged women.

Rocket T. Coyote · « **Reply #77 on:** August 27, 2016, 11:10:32 am »

During WW2, the Japanese referred to the Americans as "rabbits" or usagi. "U-S-A G-I"

Kayle · « **Reply #78 on:** August 28, 2016, 09:55:38 am »

After several battalions of Stuart light tanks were deployed in Germany during WW2, Allied soldiers began calling the outdated tanks "Zippo tanks" because a direct hit from a Panzer would often ignite the ammo cache onboard. Thus, the tanks "Lit the first time, every time", which was Zippo's slogan at the time.

Rocket T. Coyote · « **Reply #79 on:** August 28, 2016, 07:32:24 pm »

Mr. T of A-Team fame actually had his own Saturday morning animated series on NBC. It ran from 1983 to 1986.

Kayle · « **Reply #80 on:** August 31, 2016, 09:54:36 am »

Japanese tanks and fighter planes in WW2 still used rivets to secure plating and armor to the vehicle, while German and Allied vehicles were welded together. Japanese tank operators were often killed or injured when bullets would strike the outside of the rivets, causing them to be forced through into the cabin,and ricochet through the vehicle.

Rocket T. Coyote · « **Reply #81 on:** August 31, 2016, 06:25:27 pm »

The Russian 7.62 x 25mm Tokarev round is actually a 7.63mm Mauser round, only more potent. Both cartridges are identical dimensions. However--while one may fire a 7.63mm Mauser in a Tokarev pistol, firing a 7.62mm Tokarev in a C96 Mauser pistol will break the gun.

Kayle · « **Reply #82 on:** September 01, 2016, 09:50:27 am »

Japanese Type 14 pistols were notoriously unreliable... and ugly. Due to the use of a "floating" firing pin, the sidearm would often fire accidentally while in the holster, even with the safety engaged. Numerous soldiers and officers sustained foot and leg wounds from these misfires. Now, the Type 14 is considered a collector's item, due to their rarity and lack of visual appeal.

Kobuk · « **Reply #83 on:** September 01, 2016, 10:47:49 am »

Jean-Claude Van Damme was originally cast to portray the Predator alien in the first Predator film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1GfUoB0kog
But Van Damme was upset because he was being used as a "stuntman" in the film and wasn't able to showcase his martial arts skills, so he left. The role of the Predator alien then went to iconic actor Keven Peter Hall.

The original concept for the Predator was to look something like this:

Rocket T. Coyote · « **Reply #84 on:** September 01, 2016, 11:44:57 pm »

Most of the original cast for Saturday Night Live came from either National Lampoon Radio or Second City Television.

Kayle · « **Reply #85 on:** September 02, 2016, 08:46:08 am »

Speaking of National Lampoon, Meatloaf was originally a writer for Lampoon. One of his friends mentioned to him one day that they were trying to get producers on board to do a rock opera loosely based on Peter Pan. When the deal for the opera fell short, Meatloaf and his friend decided to cut an album of the songs for the failed project. That album became Bat Out of Hell, and catapulted Meatloaf into the annals of music history, becoming one of the highest grossing American albums of all time.

Rainy · « **Reply #86 on:** September 02, 2016, 02:58:04 pm »

Sherlock Holmes Never Said "Elementary, My Dear Watson."

Kayle · « **Reply #87 on:** September 02, 2016, 08:13:29 pm »

Some species of aquatic turtles can breath out of their butts for short periods of time. No kidding.

Rocket T. Coyote · « **Reply #88 on:** September 03, 2016, 12:31:26 pm »

Mountain Dew was first introduced to the world through an animated cartoon featuring hillbillies. The advertizing slogan was "Yahoo! Mountain Dew!"

Kayle · « **Reply #89 on:** September 08, 2016, 09:58:30 am »

After the introduction of Dr. Pepper, a small outfit in Dublin, TX began producing "Dublin Dr. Pepper", which became a Texas favorite. However, in 2013, the company was sued by the makers of Dr. Pepper. The conditions of the lawsuit demanded that the Dublin outfit either be shut down or absorbed into the main company. Though the Dublin recipe was actually closer to the original Dr. Pepper introduced in the early 1900's, the Dublin group shut down rather than sell out. A six pqck of authentic Dublin Dr. Pepper now sells for upward of $200 online.

Rocket T. Coyote · « **Reply #90 on:** September 14, 2016, 11:25:05 pm »

The flavor of root beer comes from sassafras.

Rocket T. Coyote · « **Reply #91 on:** October 23, 2016, 10:36:17 am »

A British airborne sergeant is creditted with firing the shot which saved the D-Day invasion, using a PIAT (Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank). Sgt. "Wagger" Thorton fired his next-to-last round at a German Mk IV tank, setting it ablaze and blocking the approach to two vital bridges so tank reinforcements could not pass.

Iara Warriorfeather · « **Reply #92 on:** October 24, 2016, 12:00:30 am »

Only 1% of an entire museum collection is on display to the general public at any given time. Most of the archived materials go unstudied and unnoticed for years.

Rocket T. Coyote · « **Reply #93 on:** November 16, 2016, 11:51:21 pm »

November 11 is also Independence Day in Poland.

Rocket T. Coyote · « **Reply #94 on:** November 24, 2016, 10:58:43 pm »

Professional golfer Arnold Palmer was a major in the Pennylvania Wing Civil Air Patrol.

Rocket T. Coyote · « **Reply #95 on:** December 29, 2016, 09:08:35 pm »

Axl Rose and Marilyn Manson are Polish.

Rocket T. Coyote · « **Reply #96 on:** January 14, 2017, 08:23:57 am »

The Japanese Type 14 Nambu pistol was the inspiration behind the successful Ruger Mark I .22 pistol.

Keayrin · « **Reply #97 on:** February 10, 2017, 06:05:58 pm »

dr. seuss actually pronounced his name 'soice'

Rocket T. Coyote · « **Reply #98 on:** February 11, 2017, 10:55:35 pm »

Dr. Seuss (aka Ted Geisel) wrote a number of training films for the US Army during WW2--"Private Snafu". Check out Fighting Tools on YouTube.

Rocket T. Coyote · « **Reply #99 on:** March 08, 2017, 09:57:11 pm »

The first phrase ever to appear on US coins was "Mind Your Own Business".