Using a treadmill, the constant walking, maybe even up at an angle, can seem like torture. It was designed for use by prisoners, providing useful labor. Originally called a treadwheel, up to 40 prisoners at a time were forced to walk on planks, rotating a giant wheel for up to eight hours a day. The… Continue Reading What was the treadmill originally designed for?
The headquarters of Asahi Breweries in Tokyo is the Asahi Beer Tower. It is a golden office building designed to look like a glass of beer, complete with a foaming head on top. Next to it is the Asahi Beer Hall, a three-story restaurant topped with the Asahi Flame, the official name of which is… Continue Reading When is a building like a beer mug?
The brightest star in the night sky, and in the constellation Canis Major (greater dog), is Sirius. During the summer, it rises in the pre-dawn sky in the same area as the sun. The ancient Greeks believed that Sirius, which translates as “the scorcher,” enhanced the heat of the sun. Sirius is sometimes referred… Continue Reading What are the “dog days” of summer?
Based on his personal experience of racism and discrimination, Sam Cooke wrote this song, whose central message reminds us that we should cling to hope, and “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” A Change Is Gonna Come
A common explanation of pruney digits has the outer layer of skin absorbing water. The outer layer swells, causing wrinkles. Another theory posits that wrinkling is caused by the narrowing of blood vessels: when exposed to water, nerve fibers shrink, and this causes the skin to prune. But to what purpose? One hypothesis suggests these… Continue Reading Why do fingers get pruney when wet?
In 1896, engineer Jesse W. Reno brought his patented “Endless Conveyor Elevator” (he called it the “inclined elevator”) to the Old Iron Pier at Coney Island. Reno’s invention stretched a mere seven feet angled at 25-degrees, and instead of steps, it used a conveyor-like belt. The Coney Island installation is said to have carried more… Continue Reading What amusement park ride can you enjoy any day for free?
UUCDC has a peer support group that provides a safe, welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ adults to find emotional, spiritual, and social support. Meetings are 6:30–7:30 pm on Zoom (1st Wednesdays), and in person (3rd Wednesdays) in the McClennon Room. There will also be a Zoom meeting on July 30. The focus this summer is on… Continue Reading LGBTQIA+ Peer Support Group
Play-Doh and Verizon: one you squeeze into shape and the other squeezes your wallet? Nope. They both have trademarked smells. Chances are you’d immediately recognize the scent of Play-Doh. In 2018, the patent office formalized their ownership of that aroma. But Verizon Wireless? They own Reg. No. 4,618,936 for the “flowery musk scent” that consumers… Continue Reading What do Play-Doh and Verizon Wireless have in common?
On a tour of the Vatican, they said that the Pontifical Swiss Guard, established in 1506 under Pope Julius II, is the oldest military unit in continuous operation. They have great uniforms, but they are not the oldest. The record goes to Infantry Regiment “Inmemorial del Rey” No. 1, which is part of the Spanish… Continue Reading What country has the world’s longest standing army?
