ADVERTISEMENT

Information online doesn’t always have to be valuable to gain attention. Trivia also draws a lot of curiosity, and a good example is the How Everything Works Instagram page. 

The account has nearly four and a half million followers. It features images containing random facts about different facets of life, from 400-year-old ocean predators to rare, expensive fruits. The posts are entertaining and informative; you will likely learn something new. 

For some experts, there is power in knowing what is deemed useless, trivial information. According to product design veteran Stephen Marshall-Rees, staying curious can enhance our problem-solving skills. 

"What may seem trivial or irrelevant today could be the key to unlocking tomorrow's breakthroughs," he wrote.

RELATED:
    #2

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "A butterfly wing transplant is a delicate procedure carried out to repair a butterfly’s damaged wing, enabling it to fly again. This involves carefully removing the damaged part of the wing and replacing it with a similar piece from a donor butterfly of the same species, typically one that has died naturally. The donor wing is usually attached with a light adhesive, like a non-toxic glue.
    This kind of procedure is most likely to be successful on larger butterfly species, such as Monarchs, where the size of the wings makes the process easier.
    However, it requires an understanding of the butterfly’s anatomy, extreme precision, and a gentle hand, due to the delicate nature of the wings and the scales that cover them."

    howeverythingworks Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #3

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Sleestak
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have copies of the patent drawings framed on my bathroom wall.

    Arlene Harris
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    it looks like it's made of solid pine. The splinters would be horrific.

    John Mosley
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I learned here that toilet paper wasn't splinter-free until late 1920's. I cancelled my time machine build.

    Load More Replies...
    Nikole
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No cat I’ve had has ever messed with the toilet paper. I feel like I’m an outlier though.

    Load More Replies...
    Bexxxx
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Life is way too short to freak out over what direction the toilet paper is facing 😅 I wish my problems were that easy haha

    Cat Chat
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, but if it's in my home, I'm correcting the situation every freaking time, no matter what.

    Load More Replies...
    MalibuClassicMan
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I knew it had to be so, one more of lifes problems solved,I can die peacefully now!!

    Jane Hower
    Community Member
    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But I DO understand if cat owners prefer it hung the other way!!! hehe

    howdylee
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm slightly amazed that 133 years later, we still just call it the "toilet paper roll"

    Adrian
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Perhaps the doubters will comply now but I'm not hopeful...

    Justin Tyme
    Community Member
    6 months ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    Mary Peace
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thanks but it's OK. I never doubted. I didn't even know anyone put it the other way until I saw it mentioned online.

    Sarah Nunns
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Whew! I knew it was right. The 'other way ' just doesn't make sense to me. 😄

    Mike Henry
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Has no-one else been amused that the name of the patent holder is “S.WHEELER” or is it just my dirty mind?

    Lise Brouillette
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Whoever thinks this is the correct way doesn't have a cat or a toddler. Come and dictate to me how to live, why don't you. 👎

    Panda'sMom
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw this somewhere else. Printed it out and hung it above the toilet paper roll holder.

    Gordon Hall
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes! Please tell every woman I know, because they simply cannot see the logic.

    Andrea Scarafoni
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    no, if you have a little boy playing around the house, better turn the roll :)

    Guess Undheit
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've never understood those who put it on backwards. If you pull quickly to rip it off, the roll will spin and you get paper on the floor. Plus if it's forwards, you can hold the roll AND rip with one hand.

    BitchinintheBurgh'
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you forget just think, mullets are lame (paper rolls off back) but Beards are cool (paper rolls off front)

    Stacy Jones
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I genuinely don't care which way the roll goes, but everyone else I know is VERY dedicated to following the patent. So since I always forget which way to put it, my cousin shared a cool meme to help me remember: Beards are cool, mullets are lame (where the hanging sheets of toilet paper on the end of the roll represent extra hair). Hopefully that will help someone else!

    justme
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Unless you have cats. Then it is necessary to hang it the other way around :)

    Iva Kazalova
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah well, that’s before the application of physics upon it became apparent, if you pull from up top, it’s more likely to get stuck or break. There. Fixed it.

    Riley Quinn
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, this is absolutely the correct rolling position unless, dun, dun, dun... you have a mischievous cat.

    Hey!
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This was one of the only things my husband and I could comprise for the other so we made do with every house we've had. The-Great-...e87ab6.jpg The-Great-Debate-66591e8e87ab6.jpg

    Jas Warner
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is why the toilet paper is not on the roll. People are always welcomed to not come to my house.

    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not really. This is just an illustration to show the dimensions and details of the invention. If it were facing the other direction we wouldn't be able to see that it's all in one roll. Plus the issue is not the roll of paper, rather the person who installs it. My wife just sets it on the counter on its side. Drive me nuts but if you turn the listen drawing sideways then she is vindicated as well.

    Cat Chat
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In defense of your wife, I like it that way, too. I prefer to wind the tp around my hand first (then obviously remove that roll before wiping). It's easier to do that by winding directly off the roll rather than tear off a long string and wind that.

    Load More Replies...
    James James
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There is no wall or even a holder. This image was only meant to display the perforations.

    Beth Wheeler
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't care, to me this is backwards. Putting it the other way makes it early to grab and tear off what you need.

    George Costanza
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not if you have toddlers or a cat in your house. Then this is a no-go!

    keyboardtek
    Community Member
    6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But now that most rolls are super sized they will not fit onto my 1951 made TP dispenser.

    Jaya
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Y'all have fun being stuck in the 19th century, I'm just gonna do it the right way. What's the right way: any way I f*cking like, because it's my house and it makes zero sense to follow other people's preferences instead of my own.

    MarieTDr
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I will judge people on whether or not it makes a difference which way their paper hangs. If they can't access it if it's hanging their perceived 'wrong way', then they're not flexible enough to be a friend of mine. Life's too short, etc.

    Kris
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I put it the other way because I can and it annoys people

    megasmacky
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just get a bidet or bidet attachment and then you don't have to worry about this uncivilized method for cleaning yourself.

    BURKE CLARK
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I visit someone's house I turn the TP so it comes off the bottom. They will sit and spin it but cannot understand why they cannot find the end

    Maisey Myles
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes, just for fun, I’ll turn the roll backwards when I use the bathroom at friends’ houses.

    Nosirrow
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The guy who invented gif said it was pronounced jif. He's wrong and this instruction is wrong. Do you want the paper to brush against your legs? I don't.

    misfittrixx
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NOPE,NOPE ,NOPE!!!!!!. I don't give a c**p goes the other way it's actually easier to take off what you want ,the other way when you go to rip it off it spins a bunch more off,when it's the other way it actually takes off what you want..

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    Humans seem naturally drawn to facts that won’t necessarily add value to our lives. Some are even willing to endure slight pain to know useless information. 

    University of Melbourne psychologist Stefan Bode conducted a study in 2021 in which he showed participants a series of coin flips. Each side of the coin had a small monetary reward, but the participants were unaware of which ones came with the prize.

    #5

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "Researchers have observed a male Sumatran orangutan, Rakus, using medicinal herbs to treat a facial wound, suggesting orangutans possess advanced cognitive abilities.
    Rakus chewed leaves from the Fibraurea tinctoria plant, known for its medicinal properties, and applied the juice directly to the wound, which subsequently healed.
    This marks the first documented instance of a wild animal using a plant with known medicinal properties to treat an open wound.
    The findings offer insights into the origins of human wound care, possibly dating back to a common ancestor shared with these primates."

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jonathan
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wasn't there also an orangutan using a spear for fishing? I recall something along those lines too

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "Beavers are known for their ability to transform ecosystems by building dams and creating wetlands. In Nevada, beavers have been instrumental in restoring the desert river ecosystem by creating a series of dams that slow the flow of water and allow it to spread out, which helps to replenish groundwater and create areas of wetland habitat. These wetlands can support a variety of wildlife, even during times of drought, and play a crucial role in maintaining the overall health of the ecosystem. The work of beavers in creating these wetlands can have far-reaching positive impacts on the local environment, including providing habitat for various species and improving water quality."

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Vvee Work
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sad that animals take better care of earth than humans do,animals care.....the vast majority of people don't care

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    Bode then made an offer: participants would know the payouts of each coin flip. But in exchange, they would have to endure a brief but harmless flash of heat to the forearm. 

    Knowing how much they were getting did not affect the outcome of the coin flip, and they would earn the same amount regardless of whether they knew the values.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #8

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "A knife makes a straight cut, but paper acts like a saw blade and does more damage to nerve endings. Paper also leaves behind tiny fibres, irritating the wound even more"

    howeverythingworks Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Nonplussed Puss
    Community Member
    6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And reduces vehicle damage due to impacts. But we can't be having nice things, now!

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    The results were telling. In 75% of the experiments, participants were willing to handle the flash of heat to the forearm if it meant knowing how much the payouts were. And when the amounts increased, so did their willingness to endure more pain. 

    #10

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise, is estimated to have hatched around 1832, making him the oldest known living land animal at about 191 years old.
    Residing on Saint Helena, he was brought there in 1882 and named in the 1930s. Jonathan continues to live at Plantation House, cared for by the government.
    Despite his age, he remains active and spends his days with his mate Frederik. Jonathan’s remarkable longevity has garnered media attention and even royal visits, including from Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, in January 2024."

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Reminds me of the Galapagos Tortoise named Harriet who was owned by both Charles Darwin and Steve Irwin.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #12

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "Farmers put earmuffs on calves during the winter to protect them from the harsh cold and prevent frostbite.
    These young animals are particularly vulnerable to the cold due to their age and size, requiring additional measures to ensure they remain warm during the winter months."

    howeverythingworks Report

    University College London neuroscientist Tali Sharot was amazed at the lengths certain people would go to for the sake of knowing something trivial. According to her, the value of information increases with higher uncertainty. 

    “Humans value information even when they cannot use it to change outcomes,” she pointed out.

    #13

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    PattyK
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A lightbulb wears out from repeatedly turning it off and on. This one has never been turned off.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #16

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jrog
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Digital Sundial on Thingiverse. Common 3D printed toy. Having printed a few, "works" is quite an overstatement. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1068443

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    Author Scott H. Young encourages continuous learning because it shapes one's view. 

    “Even if ideas can’t make you money, friends, or a six-pack, it can still make your model of reality a little more accurate. And an accurate model of reality is useful to have, even if any particular idea that helps you form it is not,” he wrote in an article

    #17

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Red_panda
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Whenever I see the pictures of them doing this to owls, they always look so offended.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #18

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "Scientists have discovered reindeer use a special form of night vision to help them find food in the colder months.

    The surface of their eye changes from golden-orange in summer to a rich blue colour in the winter.

    Experts think their vision might have evolved to help them see in snowy conditions and explains why they are able to see food so well in the dark."

    howeverythingworks Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #19

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "After the Hiroshima, Fukushima, and Chernobyl nuclear disasters, fields of sunflowers were planted across the affected landscapes to help absorb toxic metals and radiation from the soil. New research now suggests that sunflowers (Helianthus) might be as good for the environment as they are pretty to look at."

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Hippopotamuses
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A question. After they've absorbed the radiation, what happens to it when they die?

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #20

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "That nodosaurid, described in 2017, is a mummy: the Tutankhamen of the dinosaurs. Its exceptional state of preservation after 112 million years makes it one of the most fascinating jewels of paleontology, one that allows researchers to study one of the most intriguing processes of fossilization: natural mummification."

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    RagDollLali
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm so tired I accidentally read that as noodlesaurus and for a split second I thought to myself "What a delightful name!"

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #22

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally.
    Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs daily functioning, and can be disabling."

    howeverythingworks Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #24

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "In case you need more explanation, a cape is a point of land projecting into a body of water while a bay is and area of water surrounded by land on three sides."

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Serial pacifist
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey bay, what a nice cape. Let me get strait to the point, isthmus tell you that I love your lagoon.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #25

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "A village in the Italian Alps is finally basking in winter sunlight thanks to a giant mirror installed on a mountain top to reflect the sun’s rays into the main square.
    Viganella, with a population of less than 200, lies in a valley so steep that each year from November 11 to February 2 it hardly receives any sunshine.
    That was until Mayor Pierfranco Midali decided to do something about it.
    Now a 5-metre (16-foot) high, 8-metre (26-foot) wide mirror tracks the sun’s movement and reflects its rays into Viganella’s historic piazza.
    The mirror, which cost around 100,000 euros (67,000 pounds), was unveiled on Sunday to the delight of the inhabitants."

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jrog
    Community Member
    6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Installed in 2006 for 100k €. It was the first of its kind, followed a few years later by another town in Norway who did the same after the success demonstrated. Despite being under a 30-years warranty, the mirror electronic motion control broke in 2023, after a lighting strike. They are currently repairing it, a feat that is not so straightforward due to some quirks in the design and construction of the control unit for the device. Hopefully it will return in operation before the next scheduled operation period (November-February)

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Not everything we learn in school has a practical application. But all those tedious activities are also a form of practice when entering the real world. Cognitive psychological scientist Dr. Cindy Nebel explains how.   

    “It’s also possible that one day in the future, that student may need to sit through a truly pointless meeting, one that does not affect them in any way,” Dr. Nebel wrote. “Wouldn’t it be great for them to have some practice appreciating the information set before them, trying to make it relevant to their own lives, or simply appearing engaged?”

    #26

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "To Mountain Gorillas, anyone who keeps direct eye contact is a challenger and an enemy who has come to disrupt the family. Direct eye contact will, therefore, trigger the silverback to charge and fight you in defense of his family. If you want peace with Gorillas, avoid direct eye contact."

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Willem Andries Oosterhof
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These glasses were given to visitors of the Rotterdam Zoo Blijdorp. One of the Gorillas was Bokito. A woman thought she bonded with the beast but in fact he was quite annoyed by her. He escaped from his enclosure and roamed the zo until he was sedated. The woman was gravely hurt with bitemarks everywhere. Since then people were given these glasses in order to not make direct eye contact. Sadly Bokito died last year.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #27

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Lewis KR
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The Skeleton Coast. Worst place to be shipwrecked ever. "Ah dry land! I'm saved" 200 mile walk to the nearest puddle

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #28

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Mia Black
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But as far as I heard the black/dark colours protect our skin better. Because of this some beduines, desert people wear layered clothes in the heat - black on skin for protection and white above against the heat...

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    Since this list is all about “useless” but interesting facts, here’s one about sharks. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), these ocean predators occasionally enter a daze. 

    “When you flip a shark upside down, they go into a trance-like state called tonic immobility. This is the reason why you often see sawfish flipped over when our scientists are working on them in the water.”

    #30

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ross Shaw
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There is also a four digit code that tells when the tire was made, by week and year. For example, this tire was made in the 16th week of 2015, April 13th-19th. tire-date-...ba1ee0.jpg tire-date-code-6658727ba1ee0.jpg

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #31

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ॐBoyGanesh
    Community Member
    6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They forgot Gatorade & other “hydration” drinks. I suppose the display sacks weren’t big enough. Also, I’m pretty sure most of us know know vodka is sugar-free, so there was no need to include it.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #32

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "Baby owls sleep face down because their heads are too heavy. Snopes spoke with Denver Holt, researcher and founder of the Montana-based nonprofit Owl Research Institute, who said that while this behavior has been observed in owl chicks living in captivity, it is not common."

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jennifer Checki
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is false. Their neck muscles have sufficient strength. Scientists don’t really know why they sometimes position themselves like this.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #33

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "They’re called crinkle crankles. A single leaf wall over that distance would need brick piers approx every 1.5-2m if it was a retaining wall it would need to be at least 9” wide (2 bricks). The crinkle crankle has more strength due to it’s curved nature so can be 4” wide or a single leaf of bricks. For the maths if we can assume they’re true semi-circles then each semi circle would be 1/2piD or 1.57D whereas a double leaf wall would be 2D for the same length D Therefore using 21.5% less bricks than a double leaf wall hope that clears things up"

    howeverythingworks Report

    #34

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "Puffer fish range in size from the 1-inch-long dwarf or pygmy puffer to the freshwater giant puffer, which can grow to more than 2 feet in length. They are scaleless fish and usually have rough to spiky skin. All have four teeth that are fused together into a beak-like form"

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Papa
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have one of the dwarf puffers in my 40 gallon tank (they're commonly referred to as pea puffers). When not puffed up they look like little spotted American footballs with eyes and a small tail. They just love to eat snails.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #37

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "The life cycle of a strawberry plant typically begins with the germination of seeds or the planting of runners. From there, the plant grows into a mature plant with leaves, flowers, and fruits. After pollination, the flowers develop into strawberries. Once the fruits are harvested, the plant continues to grow, producing new runners and potentially new plants, completing the cycle."

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Blue Bunny of Happiness
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And when it gets to that final, perfectly ripe stage, the local birds or slugs get to it before you do.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    Comets apparently smell like rotten eggs, burning matches, urine, and almonds. While it can be challenging to prove, the chemical components may give an idea. 

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Here’s an explanation from BBC’s Science Focus Magazine: “Traces of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and hydrogen cyanide were all found in the makeup of the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.”

    #40

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "Dr. Gary Greenberg’s photographs magnify grains of sand 100 to 300 times, exposing swirling microscopic shells, eroded crystals and colorful coral fragments."

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Chicken Nugget
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is fake sadly, these sand grains are actually known as coral sand which look cool, but most types of sand from pretty much every beach dont look like this

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #41

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "Candelabra cactus sounds like a cactus and looks like one, but is actually a euphorbia. Its botanical name is euphorbia ingens. Ingens in Latin means “massive” or “extraordinary,” and indeed, Euphorbia ingens can eventually become a massive 30 foot plus tree spreading equally as wide. However, it can take 20 years for the plant to reach that point under ideal conditions, making it accessible for many people to enjoy in smaller spaces for a long period of time."

    howeverythingworks Report

    #42

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    MalibuClassicMan
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    it looks like a tug boat by comparison, amazing it used to be the largest of its kind back then!!

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #43

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "Bagworm caterpillars are known for their unique behavior of carrying logs to construct their protective cases. They use silk produced by specialized glands to attach these materials together, forming a sturdy and camouflaged shelter.

    The process typically involves the caterpillar cutting small pieces of vegetation, such as twigs, leaves, and bits of bark, and then attaching them to its body with silk. As the caterpillar grows, it continues to add more material to its case, which can become quite large in size relative to the caterpillar itself."

    howeverythingworks Report

    #45

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "An ancient Maya ceramic figurine with a removable helmet, dating back approximately 1,500 years, discovered in El Perú-Waka’, Petén, Guatemala. The figurine is a testament to the advanced craftsmanship and the cultural significance of attire and equipment in Maya civilization. The removable helmet indicates a possible ritualistic or societal status usage, reflecting the complexity of Maya social structures and their ritualistic practices. Such artifacts are invaluable for archaeologists to decipher the societal norms, roles, and beliefs of ancient civilizations."

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Lewis KR
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Action figures with removable helmets always had a special appeal to me. So cool

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #46

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "Meteors appear in different colors, depending on the chemical composition of the space rock and the air it is passing through. A meteor with high iron content, for instance, will appear yellow. A meteor with high calcium content may appear as a purple streak of light."

    howeverythingworks Report

    #47

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "His shoulder touched a live wire and the current passed through his entire body, including the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. The effect was two bizarre star-shaped electrical burns in his eyes, according to The New England Journal of Medicine."

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Laura
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He didn't lose his sight! It is damaged, and he might lose it eventually, but for now he's good! https://www.unilad.com/news/health/electrician-electrocuted-starry-eyes-545363-20231211

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #48

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Papa
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A few years ago I took a screenshot of the 7-day forecast from my local television station. It showed 80F for the high on Saturday, with a low of 29F that night.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #49

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "The Tsar Bomba mushroom cloud was approximately 25 miles wide at its base and over 40 miles high!!"

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And the Tsar Bomba could have been twice as large if they had changed the tamper out. The actual yield was 57MT but the estimated yield with a uranium tamper was 110MT. The Teller Ullman model is theoretically infinitely scalable so sleep well folks.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #50

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Chris Pool
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Unbelievable that the cloud formation in the background at the time of photographing in 1886 was exactly the same as in 2018!

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    #51

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "Arctic hares live in Canada’s icy tundra regions, where their biggest defense against the extremely cold environment is their furry coat. In winter, their coat is a brilliant white colour. Not only does it keep them warm, but it also acts as camouflage, making it harder for predators like wolves, foxes, polar bears and snowy owls to see them in the snow. When the snow melts a little in summer, the hare’s coat becomes an ashy grey-brown colour to blend in better with the surrounding grassy, rocky tundra. Despite these seasonal changes, Arctic hares always have a fluffy white tail."

    howeverythingworks Report

    #52

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "The shell featured in the images belongs to Lioconcha hieroglyphica, a species of saltwater clam known for its distinctive pattern that strikingly resembles ancient hieroglyphic writing. These unique markings are natural pigmentation patterns and not actual writing. This clam is one of many mollusk species that display intricate and varied shell designs, which are the result of a combination of genetic factors and environmental influences. The pigmentation patterns are typically produced by specialized cells called mantle cells, which deposit proteins and pigments as the shell grows. These patterns can serve several biological functions, including camouflage, species identification, and sexual selection. The resemblance to hieroglyphics is purely coincidental, but it provides a fascinating example of pareidolia, where humans perceive meaningful patterns, such as letters or faces, in random or ambiguous visual configurations."

    howeverythingworks Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #53

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    keyboardtek
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And all those food corporations are responsible for deliberately engineering their foods to be addictive and the major cause of heart disease and obesity in the world.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #54

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "Members of Indonesia’s Buton tribe have piercing blue eyes due to the fact that they all suffer from a genetic condition known as Waardenburg syndrome. Bright sapphire eyes are one symptom of the disorder."

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Moosy Girl
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Are we sure they haven’t found the spice and are keeping it for themselves? :p

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #56

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "Golden langurs have evolved to be very wary of humans. These animals are naturally shy and secretive, and they have learned to avoid people whenever possible.
    This is likely because humans have been known to hunt and kill golden langurs for their meat and fur.
    In addition, humans have been responsible for destroying the forests where golden langurs live, which has put these animals at even greater risk.
    As a result, the golden langur is one of the most elusive primates in the world, and it’s very rare to see one in the wild."

    howeverythingworks Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #57

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "An “Aircraft Listener” photographed in around the 1920s using scoop-shaped reflectors that direct the sound into large-diameter tubes in order to try and locate aircraft at a distance due to their loud engines."

    howeverythingworks Report

    #58

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "Tokyo, Japan, is the largest city on Earth, with a population of 37.4 million people."

    howeverythingworks Report

    #60

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    MalibuClassicMan
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So now I am 67 YO and have the sight of a 3 month old! great, guess pooping in my pants comes next??, LOL

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #61

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "Grey eyes are rare because they result from a combination of genetic factors. The color of our eyes is determined by the amount of melanin pigment in the iris, with less melanin resulting in lighter colors like blue, green, or grey. Grey eyes occur when there is a low level of melanin present in the iris, along with scattering of light. This combination creates the appearance of grey. The genetic inheritance of these traits is complex, which contributes to their rarity"

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Papa
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Decades ago I found my paternal grandfather's WWII draft card registration, and it listed his eyes as being gray. I never noticed that (I was about 20 when he died), and no one else in our family has gray eyes.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #63

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ace
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mont st Michel, Normandy. The highest tidal range in Europe, with up to 15m (yes, nearly 50ft) height difference between high and low tides.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #68

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "The image comes to us from Metrocosm, the website of data visualization expert Max Galka.
    Bangladesh and three provinces in India, which are highlighted in red, take up just 160,000 sq. mi (415,000 sq. km) - that’s smaller than California. Together they hold more population than all of the blue territories on the map.
    That’s right, the blue area contains the entirety of many significant countries, such as Canada, Australia, Norway, Sweden, and Saudi Arabia. The blue even includes parts of China, the United States, and most of Russia."

    howeverythingworks Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #69

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Spidercat
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Convergence... As with biological evolution, so with human creativity. Also a useful example of the phrase: There's no such thing as an original idea.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #70

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "A Chimpanzee who suffers from alopecia shows how muscular these primates actually are underneath their usual coat of hair.
    Chimpanzees are considered to be humans’ closest living relative, according to evidence from fossils and DNA sequencing and share between 95 - 98% of the same DNA. However, in relation to muscular strength, the two species cannot be compared. As per wildlife experts, chimps are incredibly strong and fast, so humans are easily overpowered.
    According to biologist Alan Walker, the chimps are in fact at least four times as strong as humans and based on scientific research, the difference in strength between the two is relative to how well the muscles perform. In chimps, the muscle fibres closest to the bones - deemed to be the source of strength - are much longer and more dense. In other words, a chimp is able to generate more power despite using the exact same range of motion. Though, unlike humans, they don’t possess much control over how they use their muscles and end up using more strength than necessary."

    howeverythingworks Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #71

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jrog
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OMG, not again. It was a short span of road where they tested this paint. Turns out the paint wears off quickly, does not retain luminosity enough to be helpful and is very expensive. Test failed and they went back to reflectors and cat-eyes.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #74

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "These are four different pencil grip techniques, each with a specific name based on the positioning of the fingers and thumb. The Dynamic Tripod and Dynamic Quadrupod grips involve three and four fingers, respectively, working together to control the pencil’s movement. In contrast, the Lateral Tripod and Lateral Quadrupod grips rely on the thumb and index finger to grip the pencil from the side, with the other fingers providing support. Understanding these grip classifications can help educators and occupational therapists assess and improve children’s handwriting skills, as an efficient and comfortable pencil grip is essential for developing proper writing techniques."

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Zara VP
    Community Member
    6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In elementary school, my English teacher would punish and yell at me for holding my pencil the 'lateral quadrupod' way. She claimed there was only one/right way to hold a pencil- the 'dynamic quadrupod' way and that I was an idiot for holding it the way I did 😭

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #75

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Justin Rogers
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can't stand anything above 3500. The blue is just glaringly obnoxious and depressing. So glad most new light bulbs and fixtures are changeable/ dimmable

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #77

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    “Indulge in nature’s rare jewel: the mesmerizing allure and delectable taste of black diamond apples. A feast for the eyes and a treat for the taste buds."

    howeverythingworks Report

    #79

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    "When you need to check the size of something, you don’t always have the best measuring tools on hand. Here are some tips on doing the job with and without rulers:
    Use your own body for fast, approximate measuring.
    The first joint of an index finger is about 1 inch long.
    When a hand is spread wide, the span from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the pinkie is about 9 inches; from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the index finger, around 6 inches. It’s about 18 inches from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. Of course, check these dimensions by measuring yourself first"

    howeverythingworks Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #84

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    jasper
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Graphic design major here, can verify. However, I think this graph is incorrect. A lot of the people in these majors are employed, just not in their chosen field.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #85

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jrog
    Community Member
    6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wrong title, these are not "AAA". They are LR61s, similar to "AAAA" (quadruple, not triple A) just a couple mm shorter and functionally interchangeable. They are smaller and lower capacity but same voltage. LR61s are specifically designed as modules for alkaline battery packs, more standardized and easier to assemble than the older LP3146 stackable modules.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #86

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Seoyeon
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not just in China. More uncommon now but when I went to school some Korean schools that counted money. My American friend said her daughter counts money for math.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #87

    How-Everything-Works-Curiosities-Pics

    howeverythingworks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Lewis KR
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    1.4 billion of the $2 bills are hidden in the back of people's wallets for luck or stashed in grandma's cupboard

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT