THAT the very interesting museum( staffed by volunteers), on the corner of Oxford St, and the Square, is open each Sat/Sunday/Public Holidays, 2-4 p.m. The regular variety of overseas visitors, as well as Kiwis, visiting would surprise you.
THAT the US Congress Library has 115 million books.
THAT Noah kept his bees in the ark hives.
THAT last year the Australian government subsidized the country’s four car producers to the tune of $2.5 billion by way of direct assistance and tariff relief. This equates to $30,000 per year for the countries 50,000 car assembly workers. (and $20,000 per car) – Figures: former cabinet minister Peter Reith.
THAT ‘if you believe everything you read – better not read’- Japanese proverb.
THAT Nelson Mandela was freed after 26 Years in jail on February 11TH 1990.
THAT the first lawn mower was patented by Edward Beard Budding in 1830. He also patented the first adjustable spanner. I’m sure that you are pleased to know this.
THAT the Kiwi arrived in New Zealand 18,000,000 years ago. The then fully flying birds being blown across from Australia. (Don’t tell the Aussies) The Kiwi shares DNA with the Emu.
THAT two billion light bulbs are purchased in the USA each year.
THAT 3,000 years of monarchy in China, and the 267 year rule of the Qing Dynasty came to the end with the abdication of the 5 year old boy king Pu Yi on February 12th 1912.
THAT the crime rate dropped dramatically in the USA on the evening of February 9th 1964 when 73 million American switched on their TVs to watch the Beatles being interviewed for the first time in the USA on the Ed Sullivan Show.
THAT 41% of the world’s electricity is produced by using coal. And that every year seven billion tons of coal is mined.
THAT the Ford Model T’s record of having the most cars of one model produced was overhauled by Volkswagen on 17th February 1962 as production exceeded 15 million cars.
THAT the Japanese air force began bombing Darwin on 19th January 1942
THAT world wide fifteen billion batteries are used and discarded each year
THAT President Nixon’s motto was: ‘If two wrongs don’t make a right try three’.
THAT even if you are on the right track you’ll get run over if you just sit there.
THAT the antibiotic streptomycin was announced by scientist Dr Selman Abrahams on February 22nd 1946
THAT American TV evangelist Jimmy Swaggart, whose show attracted 20 million followers each week was banned
from preaching by his Assemblies of God Elders on 25th February 1988 for what was described as ‘severe morel failure’.
THAT in 1791 Englishman John Barber patented an engine based on the combustion of oil vapour.
THAT Charles Francis Brush built the first wind turbine in 1888. It had 144 cedar rotor blades spanning five metres. It produced 12kw which he connected to his house.
