Today in 1939, the birthday of Wally Funk. She first passed astronaut training in her 20s and could have been one of the first US astronauts, but after some 60 years of trying, she finally got into space. Plus: today in 2016, ScreenDaily reported on the ten hour movie “Paint Drying," which shows just what the title suggests. 

Who Is Wally Funk? Photo Reveals "Mercury 13" Aviator Is Third Blue Origin Passenger (Inverse) 

'Paint Drying' director in talks to screen protest film (ScreenDaily)

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There's a new way to use the leftover shells from hazelnuts to make wood-like panels and furniture. So you might want to get yourself some Nutella while we explain how it works. Plus: today in 1997, the last message in Morse Code before the world moved to the more high-tech Global Maritime Distress and Safety System for distress calls. And the message was kind of a bummer. 

Hazelnut shells get new life as strong, sustainable panels (Washington State University)

... --- ... .-. .. .--. (SOS, RIP) (The Economist via Archive.org)

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Villas Las Estrellas is a tiny community run by Chile on Antarctica's King George Island. And it's so remote that one of the rules is that everyone who lives or works there has to have their appendix out before they show up. Plus: an art exhibit in DC celebrates TV legend Betty White, as we all should. 

The Antarctica outpost where every resident must remove their appendix (News.com.au)

Māori May Have Reached Antarctica 1,000 Years Before Europeans (Smithsonian)

Betty White’s Life and Work Take Center Stage at This New DC Art Exhibit (Thrillist)

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For many Native people in the U.S. and beyond, this is a time of year to tell stories with string. Here's a little about how they work, and why in many places they're only told in winter. Plus: Forest Grove, Oregon is home to the world’s tallest barber pole.

'String games' arrive with the snow (Indian Country Today)

Forest Grove, Oregon: World's Tallest Barber Shop Pole (Roadside America)

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Today was the birthday in 1925 of actor and entrepreneur Paul Newman, who made some very popular and very acclaimed movies. But there was one movie he made that he loathed so much, he actually took out ads to convince people not to watch it. Plus: meet Hoss, the world’s largest ball of human hair.

THE SILVER CHALICE, Paul Newman and a $1200 ad… (By The Gods)

Meet Hoss, the World’s Largest Human Hair Ball (Oddity Central)

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Today in 1890, Nellie Bly finished her trip around the world. She was trying to do what Jules Verne's character Phineas Fogg had done in 80 days, and she took just 72. Plus: today in 2021, a butcher in Scotland marked Burns Night in a stellar way. 

Nellie Bly: Around the World (Heinz History Center) 

Haggis launched to the edge of space in celebration of Burns Night (Sky News)

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Today in 1975, one of the best selling jazz albums of all time was recorded - a live concert in Cologne, Germany by pianist Keith Jarrett. And it almost didn't happen at all. Plus: the Instagram account Brik Font showcases some of the biggest and best typefaces, all in LEGO form.

Keith Jarrett: The Cologne Concert (BBC For One Night Only)

Typeface Studies by Designer Craig Ward Recreate Fonts and Iconic Logos in LEGO (Colossal)

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Today in 1942 the city of New York decided to take on the scourge of the time, the invention that had been the ruin of so many people… pinball. Here's a look at why what's considered a pretty harmless hobby in our day was such a menace back then. Plus: this weekend in Minneapolis, it’s the Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival.

That Time America Outlawed Pinball (History.com)

The War On Pinball (Slate)

Lake Harriet Kite Festival

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A team at the University of British Columbia has come up with a way to make durable, stretchy and waterproof batteries that could be useful in wearable devices. Plus: three crew members on the International Space Station try out what they call orbital badminton.

Scientists create the first stretchable and washable battery (designboom)

Video: Orbital badminton in 360 degrees (Phys.org)

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Today in 1942 was the birthday of Bob Heft, who designed a 50-star US flag for a high school class project as Alaska and Hawaii were on their way to statehood. Plus: it's the birthday of Edgar Allan Poe, who was almost portrayed on the big screen by a pretty big Hollywood star. 

A Boy Scout designed the 50-star American flag (Scouting Magazine)

Robert G. Heft (Ohio History Central)

Stallone Shows Why He Was Wrong for Edgar Allan Poe, But Vows to Finish Script (Movieweb)

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