Mira Okonkwo
Mira has spent a decade tracking down the most improbable footnotes in science journals. She still keeps a spreadsheet of facts her friends refuse to believe.
Articles by Mira (25)
Cows Have Best Friends
If you separate cattle pairs, their stress hormones spike. Discover the surprising story behind cows have best friends in this in-depth Weird Facts read on du
The Longest Solo Flight Was Nine Days Without Refueling
Steve Fossett circled the globe in 2005. Discover the surprising story behind the longest solo flight was nine days without refueling in this in-depth Bizarre
Nearly Half the World's Population Has Watched a Cricket World Cup Match
Football may dominate headlines, but cricket has the deepest audience. Discover the surprising story behind nearly half the world's population has watched a c
A Group of Flamingos Is Called a Flamboyance
Whoever named animal groups was clearly having a good day. Discover the surprising story behind a group of flamingos is called a flamboyance in this in-depth
The National Animal of Scotland Is the Unicorn
It was chosen for being pure, fierce, and impossible to capture. Discover the surprising story behind the national animal of scotland is the unicorn in this i
The Aztecs Played a Game Where the Losers Were Sacrificed
Ullamaliztli combined sport, religion, and very high stakes. Discover the surprising story behind the aztecs played a game where the losers were sacrificed in
Tea Bags Were Invented by Accident
A tea merchant sent samples in silk pouches. His customers brewed the pouches. Discover the surprising story behind tea bags were invented by accident in this
There Is a Fungus That Turns Ants into Zombies
Ophiocordyceps unilateralis hijacks brains. Discover the surprising story behind there is a fungus that turns ants into zombies in this in-depth Unusual Scien
Hot Water Can Freeze Faster Than Cold Water
The Mpemba effect is a kitchen mystery scientists still argue about. Discover the surprising story behind hot water can freeze faster than cold water in this
The 'Forbidden City' Has Almost Exactly 9,999 Rooms
Because only heaven was allowed to have 10,000. Discover the surprising story behind the 'forbidden city' has almost exactly 9,999 rooms in this in-depth Unco
The Dancing Plague of 1518
Hundreds of people danced for weeks in Strasbourg. Some died. Discover the surprising story behind the dancing plague of 1518 in this in-depth Strange History
Ancient Egyptians Used Honey as a Wound Dressing
Modern hospitals are catching up to a 4,000-year-old idea. Discover the surprising story behind ancient egyptians used honey as a wound dressing in this in-de
There's a Lake in Australia That's Naturally Bright Pink
Lake Hillier looks like spilled bubblegum from above. Discover the surprising story behind there's a lake in australia that's naturally bright pink in this in
The Library of Alexandria Burned Multiple Times
There was no single dramatic fire. There was a slow, repeated loss. Discover the surprising story behind the library of alexandria burned multiple times in th
Nobody Knows Why Humans Yawn
Theories abound. Evidence is thin. Discover the surprising story behind nobody knows why humans yawn in this in-depth Fascinating Mysteries read on dumb.today
A Group of Crows Is Called a Murder. Nobody Knows Exactly Why
Etymology offers a few theories, all of them grim. Discover the surprising story behind a group of crows is called a murder. nobody knows exactly why in this
The Largest Cup of Coffee Ever Brewed Held 22,739 Liters
Made in Colombia in 2019. Discover the surprising story behind the largest cup of coffee ever brewed held 22,739 liters in this in-depth Bizarre Records read
Albert Einstein Was Offered the Presidency of Israel
In 1952, after Chaim Weizmann's death. He politely declined. Discover the surprising story behind albert einstein was offered the presidency of israel in this
The First Vending Machine Sold Holy Water
Hero of Alexandria invented it in the 1st century CE. Discover the surprising story behind the first vending machine sold holy water in this in-depth Odd Inve
There's a Patent for a 'Force Sensitive Touch Screen' Cat
Inventors have filed some bizarre concepts to give animals user interfaces. Discover the surprising story behind there's a patent for a 'force sensitive touch
Honey Never Spoils
Archaeologists have eaten 3,000-year-old honey and lived to write about it. Discover the surprising story behind honey never spoils in this in-depth Weird Fac
Romans Used Crushed Mouse Brains as Toothpaste
Their oral hygiene was unfortunately innovative. Discover the surprising story behind romans used crushed mouse brains as toothpaste in this in-depth Strange
The Tallest Sandcastle Ever Was Over 70 Feet High
Built in Denmark in 2021. Discover the surprising story behind the tallest sandcastle ever was over 70 feet high in this in-depth Bizarre Records read on dumb
Sloths Can Hold Their Breath Longer Than Dolphins
The slowest mammals also moonlight as freedivers. Discover the surprising story behind sloths can hold their breath longer than dolphins in this in-depth Weir
The World's Longest Fingernails Were Over 30 Feet Combined
Shridhar Chillal grew his for 66 years. Discover the surprising story behind the world's longest fingernails were over 30 feet combined in this in-depth Bizar