The Three Gorges Dam in China is so massive it slowed Earth's rotation, making each day about 0.06 microseconds longer — shifting trillions of kilograms of water changed Earth's mass distribution and caused it to spin slightly slower.

People who skip breakfast tend to have reduced attention and memory function, with children performing up to 20% worse on memory-related tasks.

From Roman times to the 15th century, socks were a symbol of wealth, as only the rich could afford finely woven or knitted ones, while the poor made do with cloth wrappings or went barefoot.

55% of people worldwide aged 15 and older can't swim.

The whoopee cushion dates back to ancient times, originally made from a pig’s bladder. Records suggest a Roman emperor was known for tricking guests into sitting on one.

The introduction of air conditioning on the NYSE trading floor in 1903 led to a measurable drop in stock market volatility - hot days had previously correlated with lower market returns.

People spend 8% more at restaurants when menus lack currency signs, as it reduces the 'psychological pain' of spending. McDonald's has recently adopted this in some markets.