Random Facts 34

Space Shuttle RAM
NASA’s Space Shuttles use an IBM 5150 for the ships General Purpose Computer (GPC), which controls things like the entire launch sequence, runs on one megabyte of RAM. This is an upgrade of the 500-kilobyte computer the shuttles flew with until 1991.
Popular Science, February 2009, p. 75.

Newborns Swim
Tests have shown that when a baby is lowered face down into warm water with a parental hand under their stomach, they show no signs of panic and automatically hold their breath happily with eyes open. If the supporting hand is gently removed the baby starts making swimming movements.
Science News Magazine, 12.6.08, p.4.

Dolphin Tool
Dolphins off of Australia's coast dive to the bottom of channels with sponges on their snouts, pokingand brushing the sandy ocean floor to flush out small fish. They drop their spunges, gobble up the fish, and retreive the sponges to repeat the process again.
Science News Magazine, 1.3.09, p.13.

Birds
Passenger Pigeons once represented 25-40 percent of all North American birds – the last known one died in a zoo in 1914.
In the US alone, it is estimated that more than 100 million birds die each year after hitting windows.
About 3,000 birds collide with US Air Force planes every year causing an estimated $60 million in damages.
Armchair Reader The Big Book of Incredible Information, 2008, pg. 36-37.

Fresh Water Location
70% of our planet’s total supply of fresh water is locked up as ice in Antarctica.
Knowledge BBC Magazine, April 2009, v.1, i.4, p.38.

1943 Penny
There are about 40 1943 copper pennies in existence. One sold in 1999 for $112,500.
Armchair Reader The Big Book of Incredible Information, 2008, pg. 96.

Oldest Tree
California boasts the oldest known living tree, a Bristlecone Pine named “”Methuselah,” which is estimated to be 4,767 years old.
Armchair Reader The Big Book of Incredible Information, 2008, pg. 175.

Memory
The average person forgets 80 percent of what he or she learns in a day.
Armchair Reader The Big Book of Incredible Information, 2008, pg. 45.

Statue of Liberty’s Face
The Statue of Liberty’s face was modeled after designer Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi’s mother.
Armchair Reader The Big Book of Incredible Information, 2008, pg. 45.

President
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was related to 11 other presidents either directly or through marriage.
George W. Bush’s brother Neil was scheduled to dine with John Hinckley’s brother Scott, the day after Hinckley tried to kill President Ronald Reagan.
Armchair Reader The Big Book of Incredible Information, 2008, pg. 131.