Discover fascinating fun facts about crayons, from their humble beginnings to their impact on art and memory. Originally sold for a nickel in 1903, the first Crayola box launched a brand synonymous with childhood creativity. Crayons derive color from pigments, ground powders mixed into wax, and one factory produces an astounding 12 million crayons daily, with nearly 3 billion annually. The world's largest crayon stands at over 15 feet long and it was created using hundreds of thousands of small discarded crayons donated from around the US and melted down into a custom mold to celebrate 100 years of creativity from Crayola. Learn how you can easily melt down your old crayons to make cute, custom creations.

Crayons are not just for kids and coloring books. Renowned artists like Herb Williams and Diem Chau make amazing sculptures using Crayons. Williams loves sculpting with crayons because they provide a sensory element as the smell evokes a warm sense of nostalgia and brings more joy to those who encounter his work. If you want to learn more about Herb Williams and his work, listen to my interview with him on my other podcast, Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages.

Please note that while I mention the brand name Crayola throughout this episode, I am in no way affiliated with the company.

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected]

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Learn some fun facts and the delicious history of the hot dog, one of America's most iconic foods. Discover the origin of the name "frankfurter" and its roots in Frankfurt, Germany. The journey from a simple sausage to a beloved handheld meal is explored, including the popular story of how a clever St. Louis vendor in the 1880s invented the hot dog bun to save on laundry costs from greasy gloves.

Learn astounding facts about hot dog consumption in the United States—Americans eat an estimated 20 billion per year!—and the incredible athletic feat of competitive eater Joey Chestnut, who holds the world record for devouring the most hot dogs in just 10 minutes.

Ever wonder how hot dogs got their name? While the etymology is debated, we explore two of the popular stories explaining how the term "hot dog," likely evolving from the nickname "dachshund sausage." For those heading to the grill, a pro-tip on scoring hot dogs is shared to ensure they cook evenly and achieve the perfect caramelized char. And learn how to make a hot dog octopus, a creative twist on the classic.

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected]

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Dive into some fun facts about The Beach Boys, the iconic American band that defined the "surf rock." Discover the production genius of Brian Wilson, who, despite being deaf in his right ear, meticulously crafted masterpieces in monophonic sound. His preference for mono was central to the creation of the band's groundbreaking 1966 album, Pet Sounds, a lush and sophisticated work directly inspired by his ambition to top The Beatles' Rubber Soul.

Delve into the fascinating stories behind the music, from the band's original name, The Pendletones, to the making of the revolutionary single "Good Vibrations," which utilized a futuristic electro-theremin and cost over $50,000 to produce in 1966. The money was well spent as their innovative vocal harmonies and studio techniques forever changed popular music.

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected]

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Dive deep into the fascinating world of octopuses! Discover why these incredible marine animals, belonging to the class "cephalopod" (meaning "head-footed"), possess three hearts and unique blue blood. Uncover their extraordinary abilities as master camouflagers, capable of changing both color and skin texture to blend seamlessly with their surroundings. Explore their remarkable intelligence, including documented cases of tool use, and learn about the mimic octopus's incredible ability to impersonate other venomous sea creatures. Plus, get practical tips for spotting octopuses in their natural habitat or at your local aquarium. Tune in to explore the amazing adaptations and behaviors that make octopuses one of the ocean's most captivating creatures.

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected]

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Learn some fun facts about Earth's closest neighbor in the cosmos, the Moon. Discover how the Moon's orbit influences phenomena like the supermoon (when the Moon is at perigee, its closest point to Earth) and learn about the opposite, apogee. We delve into surprising details from Apollo missions, including the Fallen Astronaut sculpture that has been on the Moon since 1971 and a personal message left in lunar dust. Ever wonder how those astronauts went to the bathroom in the cramped space capsule?

Explore the unique properties of Moon dust, including its distinct "gunpowder" smell and abrasive nature. Understand the cosmic coincidence that allows for spectacular solar eclipses, and how the Moon's gravity governs Earth's ocean tides. Finally, uncover the mystery of moonquakes and get essential tips for smartphone moon photography, ensuring your next celestial snap is picture-perfect. Tune in for an engaging look at the Moon!

Learn more about Fallen Astronaut on my other podcast, Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the fascinating story behind one of the world's most iconic buildings, the Sydney Opera House. This architectural marvel, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, was a revolutionary concept whose design was famously rescued from a pile of rejected competition entries. The building's magnificent "sails" are covered in over one million custom-made, self-cleaning tiles, ensuring its brilliant white gleam endures. Located on Bennelong Point, a site of deep significance to the Indigenous Gadigal people known as Tubowgule, the Opera House stands as a testament to both modern innovation and ancient history. The journey from concept to completion was an epic feat, taking 14 years and 10,000 workers to realize Utzon's vision.

Delve into the immense scale and complexity of this legendary performing arts venue. Far more than just a single stage, the Sydney Opera House contains nearly 1,000 rooms and multiple distinct performance spaces, including the 2,679-seat Concert Hall and the 1,507-seat Joan Sutherland Theatre. Each year, it hosts over 1,800 performances for more than 1.4 million attendees, showcasing a wide array of arts from opera and ballet to symphony concerts and contemporary music. The Concert Hall also features one of the largest mechanical tracker action pipe organs on the planet, with over 10,000 pipes. From its bespoke, custom-crafted elements to its staggering size, the Sydney Opera House is a masterpiece of design and engineering.

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The first Friday of every month, I am inviting my kids on to share fun facts about a subject they enjoy and hopefully you and your family will enjoy it as well. This month, we're talking about one of the world's most popular board games, Monopoly. Learn surprising facts, from the game's secret role in helping WWII prisoners of war escape to the record-breaking 70-day-long game. Find out the real-life inspiration behind the iconic properties like Boardwalk and Park Place, which are actual streets in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Unlock the best strategies to dominate your next game night. This deep dive into Monopoly gameplay reveals which properties are statistically landed on most often, giving you a competitive edge. Learn the "three-house rule" for maximizing your return on investment and discover why owning all four railroads can create a powerful income stream. Find out why staying in Jail might be the smartest move you can make, turning a moment of bad luck into a game-winning strategy. These tips and tricks will change the way you play.

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have a perfectly cromulent episode filled with fun facts about The Simpsons. Discover the fascinating origins of the Simpson family, hastily sketched by Matt Groening just moments before a crucial pitch meeting as a way to safeguard his Life in Hell comic strip. Learn how Homer Simpson's iconic "D'oh!" earned its place in the Oxford English Dictionary, and explore the surprising initial concept for Krusty the Clown as Homer's secret alter ego—a plan later cleverly referenced in the series. Find out about Paul McCartney's unique condition for guest starring that led to a permanent character trait for Lisa. The episode also delves into the show's remarkable legacy as America's longest-running primetime animated series and sitcom.

In this episode, I suggested turning watching The Simpsons into a trivia game. For anyone interested, my favorite buzzer system to level up a game night would be the Eggspert buttons by Educational Insights. This is not a paid promotion. I have no affiliation with the brand and make no money if you purchase. I just thought I would share that tip because I have bought a number of buzzer systems that were disappointing and I want you all to have better experiences.

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coral reefs are remarkable living structures, sometimes visible from space, and are considered the largest of their kind on Earth. They support around 25% of all marine life despite covering less than 1% of the ocean floor, acting as vital ecosystems often referred to as "rainforests of the sea." These reefs are constructed by tiny coral polyps that build limestone skeletons, leading to massive formations over long periods. Certain coral species boast impressive longevity, living for thousands of years, and some even exhibit fluorescent colors that scientists are actively studying.

Protecting coral reefs is crucial, and visitors are encouraged to observe without touching to prevent damage to their fragile tissues and avoid disturbing the environment. Corals build their homes out of limestone and their vibrant colors are thanks to zooxanthellae, tiny algae living in their tissues. These algae provide corals with nutrients, while the corals provide a protected environment. This relationship helps the corals grow and develop their characteristic hues.

Want to learn more about Jason deCaires Taylor and his underwater museums? Listen to my interview with him on Who ARTed:

Who ARTed | Interview with Jason deCaires Taylor

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ketchup's story begins in 17th-century China as a fermented fish sauce, quite different from the tomato-based condiment enjoyed today. McDonald's is a massive consumer of ketchup, highlighting its role in fast food. The challenge of ketchup's slow flow led to packaging innovations like the squeezable bottle. There are even official standards for how fast ketchup should pour! Early ketchup recipes weren't always safe, with some containing questionable ingredients. Because ketchup is a non-Newtonian fluid, there's a trick to getting it to flow more easily from a glass bottle: give it a tap near the neck of the bottle. The slight pressure will alter the viscosity just enough to get things moving. If you want to do some kitchen science playing with another non-Newtonian fluid, try mixing up some oobleck with cornstarch and water. For health-conscious consumers, checking sugar content or making homemade ketchup are good options.

Here is the basic ketchup recipe shared in the episode:

To start, you'll need a large can (about 28 ounces) of good quality crushed tomatoes or about 12 ounces of tomato paste if you prefer a richer, more concentrated base. In a medium saucepan, you can begin by sautéing a small, finely chopped onion (about 1/4 cup) in a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. This step is optional but adds a nice depth of flavor. Then, add the crushed tomatoes or tomato paste to the saucepan.

Next, stir in about 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of your preferred sweetener – maple syrup, honey, or a sugar substitute work well. Start with less sweetener; you can always add more later. For spices, a classic combination includes 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon of allspice (or a tiny pinch of cloves), and salt and pepper to taste – start with about 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and let it cook for about 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken. If it gets too thick, you can add a tablespoon or two of water. Once it's reached your desired consistency, remove it from the heat. For an extra smooth ketchup, carefully transfer the mixture to a blender (let it cool slightly first if your blender isn't designed for hot liquids) and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed – perhaps more sweetener, vinegar, or salt.

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices