The world is full of truths that sound so bizarre, you might think they were ripped from a sci-fi movie. Sometimes, reality is far stranger than fiction, and these odd facts might make you second-guess everything you thought you knew.
Bananas Are Berries, But Strawberries Aren’t
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Botanically, bananas are considered berries, but strawberries are not. Sounds confusing, right? Bananas develop from a single ovary, which makes them a true berry. Strawberries, on the other hand, develop from multiple ovaries, which classifies them as "aggregate fruits." So the next time you're eating a banana, you can tell people you're snacking on a berry.
The Eiffel Tower Can Grow Taller in Summer
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When the weather gets hot, the Eiffel Tower can actually grow by up to 6 inches. Iron expands when heated, causing the steel structure to stretch slightly. It's like the tower is reaching for the sky during the summer months.
Sharks Were Around Before Trees
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Sharks have been swimming in the oceans for over 400 million years, long before trees made their way onto land. Trees only appeared around 350 million years ago.
You Can Start a Fire with Ice
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Who needs matches when you have ice? A clear piece of ice shaped like a lens can be used to focus sunlight and start a fire. It’s one of those survival tricks that seems too wild to be true, but it’s entirely possible when you’re in a pinch.
Cleopatra Lived Closer to the Moon Landing Than to the Pyramids
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Cleopatra, who ruled from 69 to 30 B.C., lived closer in time to the moon landing (1969) than to the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza (around 2560 B.C.). She was more "modern" than we think.
The Chainsaw Was Invented to Deliver Babies
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This might be one of the most disturbing facts ever, but it’s true. The chainsaw was originally created in the 18th century for a medical procedure used to assist with childbirth. Thankfully, it’s no longer used for that purpose, but it’s a grisly piece of history.
A Day on Venus Is Longer Than a Year on Venus
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Venus spins so slowly that it needs about 243 Earth days to turn once on its axis. Its trip around the sun is faster, taking about 225 Earth days. That timing means one full Venus day lasts longer than one full Venus year.
Woolly Mammoths Survived Well After the Pyramids Were Built
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Most people associate woolly mammoths with the Ice Age, but they were still around when the Great Pyramid was being built. These massive creatures managed to survive until around 4,000 years ago.
Pokémon Made More Money Than Harry Potter and Marvel Combined
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Pokémon has earned a staggering $103.6 billion since its launch in 1997, the highest-grossing intellectual property in the world. That’s more than Harry Potter, Marvel, and even the Beatles and Taylor Swift combined.
The U.S. Appalachian Mountains and the Scottish Highlands Were Once the Same Range
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The Appalachian Mountains in the U.S. and the Scottish Highlands were once part of the same mountain range. Over a billion years ago, when the supercontinent Pangaea split, these two ranges separated, but their ancient roots still connect them. If you visit both today, you’re basically walking through history.