WHY is there left-hand traffic in England?
Left-hand traffic is thought to have originated in England, and was enshrined in law in 1756.
A special bill ordered carriages, riders and pedestrians to move across the London Bridge only on the left side. The penalty was a pound of silver.
And 20 years later, the British passed the "Road Act", which made left-hand traffic mandatory on all roads in the country.
An ancient English maritime rule played a role in the recognition of the "left" side - ships must enter the harbor on the left side and sail on the right.
Left-hand traffic is thought to have originated in England, and was enshrined in law in 1756.
A special bill ordered carriages, riders and pedestrians to move across the London Bridge only on the left side. The penalty was a pound of silver.
And 20 years later, the British passed the "Road Act", which made left-hand traffic mandatory on all roads in the country.
An ancient English maritime rule played a role in the recognition of the "left" side - ships must enter the harbor on the left side and sail on the right.
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WHY do we have nightmares?
Dreams are a way of processing disturbing impressions and emotions a person has to experience in his or her life.
When a dreamer falls asleep, the psyche layers the bad memories onto a specific context, and thus the fears associated with them are dissipated.
âī¸ Frequently, the sources of nightmares lie in work, worries about financial well-being, and major changes in one's life.
Dreams are a way of processing disturbing impressions and emotions a person has to experience in his or her life.
When a dreamer falls asleep, the psyche layers the bad memories onto a specific context, and thus the fears associated with them are dissipated.
âī¸ Frequently, the sources of nightmares lie in work, worries about financial well-being, and major changes in one's life.
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WHY does the car electrocute?
When driving, you are unconsciously moving on the seat, which is not made of natural materials.
By the end of the ride, static electricity builds up on your body. After touching the car door, you get a "shock".
To avoid the impact, you can close the car by the glass or the plastic door handle, these are so-called "dielectrics".
When driving, you are unconsciously moving on the seat, which is not made of natural materials.
By the end of the ride, static electricity builds up on your body. After touching the car door, you get a "shock".
To avoid the impact, you can close the car by the glass or the plastic door handle, these are so-called "dielectrics".
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WHY are icebergs called freshwater reservoirs?
Today, the earth's population consumes only about 0.01% of the planet's freshwater supply per year. So where is the rest? 70% of the water is preserved in Antarctic glaciers.
Using icebergs for drinking water cannot be called an idea of our time. Back in 1773, the crew of the famous James Cook collected 15 tons of drinking water from Antarctic icebergs for his ship, The Resolution.
Water consumption in the world has increased sevenfold in the 20th century alone, and there is no stopping it. Pretty soon, even developed nations will lack fresh water. It would then turn out to be economically feasible to extract water from icebergs.
Today, the earth's population consumes only about 0.01% of the planet's freshwater supply per year. So where is the rest? 70% of the water is preserved in Antarctic glaciers.
Using icebergs for drinking water cannot be called an idea of our time. Back in 1773, the crew of the famous James Cook collected 15 tons of drinking water from Antarctic icebergs for his ship, The Resolution.
Water consumption in the world has increased sevenfold in the 20th century alone, and there is no stopping it. Pretty soon, even developed nations will lack fresh water. It would then turn out to be economically feasible to extract water from icebergs.
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WHY is 666 the number of the devil?
There is speculation that the number 666 came from the name of Nero. In his era, coins were minted in the eastern part of the Roman Empire with the words in the Hebrew script of the Greek words Neron Kaisar (Emperor Nero) â "× ×¨×× ×§×Ą×¨".
If we consider not the letters themselves, but their numerical values, their sum equals 666. In favor of this, a fragment of a verse found on the Oxyrhynchus site states the devil's number is 616 (in the Greek writing "ĪΚĪ").
If we take the Nero Caesar spelling as the basis, the sum of the numerical values is reduced by 50 and equals 616, that is, Irenaeus took an erroneous spelling.
There is speculation that the number 666 came from the name of Nero. In his era, coins were minted in the eastern part of the Roman Empire with the words in the Hebrew script of the Greek words Neron Kaisar (Emperor Nero) â "× ×¨×× ×§×Ą×¨".
If we consider not the letters themselves, but their numerical values, their sum equals 666. In favor of this, a fragment of a verse found on the Oxyrhynchus site states the devil's number is 616 (in the Greek writing "ĪΚĪ").
If we take the Nero Caesar spelling as the basis, the sum of the numerical values is reduced by 50 and equals 616, that is, Irenaeus took an erroneous spelling.
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WHY are whales and dolphins thrown ashore?
Dolphins and whales get sick from time to time, too. Scientists speculate that the throwing out may be caused by parasites that settle in the animals' bodies and damage vital organs. Perhaps the cause is a mental illness in the leader â the leader has "lost his mind", and the whole pack rushed after it.
Young animals, just entering independent life, may make this fatal mistake simply due to their inexperience. Older animals may find themselves on the shore, having died of natural causes.
Unfortunately, human activity does not pass away for marine mammals either, sometimes resulting in the animal's death or being thrown ashore.
Dolphins and whales get sick from time to time, too. Scientists speculate that the throwing out may be caused by parasites that settle in the animals' bodies and damage vital organs. Perhaps the cause is a mental illness in the leader â the leader has "lost his mind", and the whole pack rushed after it.
Young animals, just entering independent life, may make this fatal mistake simply due to their inexperience. Older animals may find themselves on the shore, having died of natural causes.
Unfortunately, human activity does not pass away for marine mammals either, sometimes resulting in the animal's death or being thrown ashore.
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WHY is English an international language?
Throughout the 19th century, the British political system contributed to the spread of English throughout the globe. Colonial Britain formerly possessed India, North America, Australia, and parts of Southeast Asia and Africa.
English was relatively easy to learn, both in pronunciation and grammar. Finally, this recognition has become convenient for most.
These days, in most countries, English is taught in school as the primary foreign language, supplanting other languages.
Throughout the 19th century, the British political system contributed to the spread of English throughout the globe. Colonial Britain formerly possessed India, North America, Australia, and parts of Southeast Asia and Africa.
English was relatively easy to learn, both in pronunciation and grammar. Finally, this recognition has become convenient for most.
These days, in most countries, English is taught in school as the primary foreign language, supplanting other languages.
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WHY are there so many shapes of pasta?
In a 2010 book study, The Geometry of Pasta, Cas Hildebrand and Jacob Kenedy identified more than 1,200 names for pasta shapes.
Some derive from industrial parts: for instance, elice are screws and fusilli are spindles. According to Kenedy and Hildebrand, various shapes are better suited to different recipes.
In a 2010 book study, The Geometry of Pasta, Cas Hildebrand and Jacob Kenedy identified more than 1,200 names for pasta shapes.
Some derive from industrial parts: for instance, elice are screws and fusilli are spindles. According to Kenedy and Hildebrand, various shapes are better suited to different recipes.
WHY do cats enjoy crawling into boxes?
Retreating into hiding is a behavioral strategy of the species and essential for adjusting to changing surroundings and resisting stress.
The reason is also that it makes it easier for them to keep warm that way. According to a 2006 National Research Council study, cats are comfortable in temperatures between 30 and 36 degrees Celsius. Cardboard, among other things, provides insulating properties to keep them warm.
Retreating into hiding is a behavioral strategy of the species and essential for adjusting to changing surroundings and resisting stress.
The reason is also that it makes it easier for them to keep warm that way. According to a 2006 National Research Council study, cats are comfortable in temperatures between 30 and 36 degrees Celsius. Cardboard, among other things, provides insulating properties to keep them warm.
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WHY do sea shells sound like the ocean?
The cavity of a seashell, according to some speculations, reflects the sound of blood flowing in the human body, though this theory falls into the category of widespread myths.
In fact, the shape of the shells allows them to catch and reflect the surrounding noise, amplifying certain frequencies. Bringing one of them to your ear, you just hear echoes of soft sounds surrounding you at the moment.
The cavity of a seashell, according to some speculations, reflects the sound of blood flowing in the human body, though this theory falls into the category of widespread myths.
In fact, the shape of the shells allows them to catch and reflect the surrounding noise, amplifying certain frequencies. Bringing one of them to your ear, you just hear echoes of soft sounds surrounding you at the moment.
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WHY are traffic lights green-yellow-red?
The explanation for red is simple: it has the longest wavelength in the spectrum of visible light, so it's easier to see from a distance.
A red signal is visible from 10 kilometers away. Yellow has a shorter wavelength and may be seen from 5 kilometers away. Green, on the other hand, is only observable from 3 kilometers away.
Far more important to see the red, forbidding signal from afar than the permissive one.
The explanation for red is simple: it has the longest wavelength in the spectrum of visible light, so it's easier to see from a distance.
A red signal is visible from 10 kilometers away. Yellow has a shorter wavelength and may be seen from 5 kilometers away. Green, on the other hand, is only observable from 3 kilometers away.
Far more important to see the red, forbidding signal from afar than the permissive one.
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WHY is denim blue?
While most color formulations penetrate the fibers at high temperatures and dye the entire material through, making it coarse, the natural indigo dye used in denim only adhered to the outside of the threads.
The more often the indigo-dyed denim was washed, the more the color dulled and the looser the threads got, turning nicer to the body. People enjoyed the softness of worn jeans so they quickly gained popularity.
While most color formulations penetrate the fibers at high temperatures and dye the entire material through, making it coarse, the natural indigo dye used in denim only adhered to the outside of the threads.
The more often the indigo-dyed denim was washed, the more the color dulled and the looser the threads got, turning nicer to the body. People enjoyed the softness of worn jeans so they quickly gained popularity.
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WHY do passports only come in four colors?
The most common color. Passports with red covers are chosen by countries with a communist past or present. Members of the European Union, except Croatia, also adopt passports in burgundy and other shades of red.
The next most widespread color. The blue cover symbolizes the "new world." The 15 Caribbean countries own blue passports. The bloc of South American countries also have blue passports to symbolize their connection to Mercosur, the trade union.
The passports of most Muslim countries are green. Like Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. Green is considered the favorite color of the Prophet Muhammad and a symbol of nature and life.
The rarest passports are those with a black cover. Citizens of some African countries such as Botswana, Zambia, Burundi, Gabon, Angola, Chad, Congo, Malawi and others hold such passports. Also New Zealanders have black passports, since black is the national color of New Zealand.
The most common color. Passports with red covers are chosen by countries with a communist past or present. Members of the European Union, except Croatia, also adopt passports in burgundy and other shades of red.
The next most widespread color. The blue cover symbolizes the "new world." The 15 Caribbean countries own blue passports. The bloc of South American countries also have blue passports to symbolize their connection to Mercosur, the trade union.
The passports of most Muslim countries are green. Like Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. Green is considered the favorite color of the Prophet Muhammad and a symbol of nature and life.
The rarest passports are those with a black cover. Citizens of some African countries such as Botswana, Zambia, Burundi, Gabon, Angola, Chad, Congo, Malawi and others hold such passports. Also New Zealanders have black passports, since black is the national color of New Zealand.
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WHY do old books smell like that?
The specific aroma of time-worn books comes from the decomposition of chemical compounds. It is primarily cellulose fibers and lignin, which binds them and fills the voids.
Lignin is a natural polymeric compound found in the vascular cells of some plants. It is a highly labile substance, easily interacting with chemical reagents or the environment.
Under the influence of oxygen, lignin decomposes into acids, which break down cellulose fibers.
The specific aroma of time-worn books comes from the decomposition of chemical compounds. It is primarily cellulose fibers and lignin, which binds them and fills the voids.
Lignin is a natural polymeric compound found in the vascular cells of some plants. It is a highly labile substance, easily interacting with chemical reagents or the environment.
Under the influence of oxygen, lignin decomposes into acids, which break down cellulose fibers.
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WHY do we cry when chopping onions?
Onions are full of volatile oils giving the plant its characteristic aroma. These oils contain organic substances called amino acid sulfoxides.
When onions are cut, the structure of their tissues gets disrupted. Cells are torn, causing the release of sulfonic acid, which turns into thiopropionaldehyde-S-oxide â namely it causes tears.
In addition, these acids condense into a form of thiosulfite, which gives onions their characteristic smell.
Onions are full of volatile oils giving the plant its characteristic aroma. These oils contain organic substances called amino acid sulfoxides.
When onions are cut, the structure of their tissues gets disrupted. Cells are torn, causing the release of sulfonic acid, which turns into thiopropionaldehyde-S-oxide â namely it causes tears.
In addition, these acids condense into a form of thiosulfite, which gives onions their characteristic smell.
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WHY does a jellyfish sting and using what?
On the edges of the jellyfish's body lie tentacles with cells containing capsules of venom that cause burns.
The tiny stingers paralyze small prey. Jellyfish stalk fish and other sea creatures, and humans frequently fall prey to the toxin as well.
Even a jellyfish newly washed ashore is hazardous as long as its tentacles are wet.
There are several species of jellyfish capable of killing humans with their venom, such as the sea wasp, found in the coastal waters of Australia. The same one depicted here.
On the edges of the jellyfish's body lie tentacles with cells containing capsules of venom that cause burns.
The tiny stingers paralyze small prey. Jellyfish stalk fish and other sea creatures, and humans frequently fall prey to the toxin as well.
Even a jellyfish newly washed ashore is hazardous as long as its tentacles are wet.
There are several species of jellyfish capable of killing humans with their venom, such as the sea wasp, found in the coastal waters of Australia. The same one depicted here.
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WHY do apples turn darker when cut?
Apples contain antioxidants, which are thought to make these fruits healthy.
Antioxidants include a whole group of substances called polyphenols. Along with them, apples feature a polyphenol oxidase enzyme responsible for the oxidation of polyphenols.
Oxygen is required for these two substances to start interacting, thus the undamaged apple does not darken. So, it's the oxidation process, not of iron, but of the polyphenols, actually causes the apples to darken.
The film formed at the site of damage protects the apple from parasites and microorganisms. The substances it contains make the bitten pulp unpalatable not only for humans, but also for caterpillars.
Apples contain antioxidants, which are thought to make these fruits healthy.
Antioxidants include a whole group of substances called polyphenols. Along with them, apples feature a polyphenol oxidase enzyme responsible for the oxidation of polyphenols.
Oxygen is required for these two substances to start interacting, thus the undamaged apple does not darken. So, it's the oxidation process, not of iron, but of the polyphenols, actually causes the apples to darken.
The film formed at the site of damage protects the apple from parasites and microorganisms. The substances it contains make the bitten pulp unpalatable not only for humans, but also for caterpillars.
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WHY are matches called Swedish?
Since the 1830s, matches were produced in France and Germany with heads containing white phosphorus. The substance is extremely poisonous and chemically highly reactive, so that matches could be ignited by friction right in the box.
Professor Gustaf Erik Pasch of Karolinska Institute in Sweden suggested in 1844 to take the phosphorus out of the heads and to put it on a special grater on the box.
And besides, he replaced white phosphorus with red, less harmful one.
Since the 1830s, matches were produced in France and Germany with heads containing white phosphorus. The substance is extremely poisonous and chemically highly reactive, so that matches could be ignited by friction right in the box.
Professor Gustaf Erik Pasch of Karolinska Institute in Sweden suggested in 1844 to take the phosphorus out of the heads and to put it on a special grater on the box.
And besides, he replaced white phosphorus with red, less harmful one.
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WHY do elk drop their antlers?
Elk and other deer antlers serve only to attract females and as a tournament weapon. Outside the breeding season, antlers are of no use.
Meanwhile, wearing such a heavy and cumbersome "crown" makes it hard to move in the woods and requires extra effort. Which is especially troublesome in winter, when the amount of forage is limited, and wolves are almost completely switched to eating ungulates.
Elk and other deer antlers serve only to attract females and as a tournament weapon. Outside the breeding season, antlers are of no use.
Meanwhile, wearing such a heavy and cumbersome "crown" makes it hard to move in the woods and requires extra effort. Which is especially troublesome in winter, when the amount of forage is limited, and wolves are almost completely switched to eating ungulates.
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WHY do ibexes stay on steep cliffs?
On a perfectly smooth wall, ibexes won't hold up.
Though, they can stand on tiny rock ledges and even run on them. Hooves of goats are narrow, hard, able to move apart widely. They have soft sensitive pads partially covering the stone the animal has stepped on and creating additional traction.
Equally vital are the animal's exceptional sense of balance, precise coordination of movements, and sharp eyesight, which allows it to see the unevenness of the wall. If the stone the goat has stepped on is too narrow, the animal immediately pushes off and jumps further.
On a perfectly smooth wall, ibexes won't hold up.
Though, they can stand on tiny rock ledges and even run on them. Hooves of goats are narrow, hard, able to move apart widely. They have soft sensitive pads partially covering the stone the animal has stepped on and creating additional traction.
Equally vital are the animal's exceptional sense of balance, precise coordination of movements, and sharp eyesight, which allows it to see the unevenness of the wall. If the stone the goat has stepped on is too narrow, the animal immediately pushes off and jumps further.
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