Random Facts 35

370 MPG
In 1973 Shell Oil engineers designed a prototype car that got 370 miles per gallon.
Uncle John's Certified Organic Bathroom Reader, 2009, p.200.

Train Speed
Shanghai’s MagLev Train set a speed record in 2004 of 268 mph. Once the train hits 85 mph the wheels retract and magnets built into the sides of the train attract and repel other magnets lining the rails. There is zero pollution and no noise. The 20-mile track from Shanghai to the Pudong Airport cost $1.2 billion to build.
Mental Floss, May/June 2009, v.8, i.3, p.16.

Geothermal Power
The Geysers in California, the world’s largest geothermal power plant, makes enough electricity to power the city the size of San Francisco.
Uncle John’s Certified Organic Bathroom Reader, 2009, p.272-273.

Antiperspirants
Antiperspirants are classified as drugs by the FDA. Technically, they affect and/or alter your body’s natural functions. Aluminum chloride, the ingredient that blocks glandular openings and prevents sweating, is notorious for turning T-shirts yellow.
Mental Floss, May/June 2009, v.8, i.3, p.18.

LED Traffic Lights
New York’s high-efficiency LED traffic lights save the city $6 million a year.
Uncle John’s Certified Organic Bathroom Reader, 2009, p.245.

Broccoli Residue
Up to 93% of pesticide residue remains on broccoli after washing.
Uncle John’s Certified Organic Bathroom Reader, 2009, p.261.

Inkblots
There are 10 official inkblots in the Rorschach test.
Mental Floss, May/June 2009, v.8, i.3, p.72.

Phones in 2005
In 2005 there were more than 1.2 billion land-based telephone lines in use worldwide, but approximately 2.1 billion cellular phones.
Armchair Reader Weird, Scary & Unusual Stories & Facts, p.65.

Cereal Salt
By weight, most packaged cereals have more salt than potato chips.
Uncle John's Certified Organic Bathroom Reader, 2009, p.197.

NY Times vs Trees
A single run of the Sunday New York Times consumes 75,000 trees.
Uncle John's Certified Organic Bathroom Reader, 2009, p.115.

Glass Break Travel
When glass breaks the crack moves faster than 3,000 mph.
Armchair Reader Weird, Scary & Unusual Stories & Facts, p.41.

Tree Stats
One acre of mature trees produces enough oxygen to support 18 people for a year, and absorbs carbon dioxide produced by 26,000 miles of driving..
Uncle John’s Certified Organic Bathroom Reader, 2009, p.213 & 279.

Chopsticks vs Trees
China cuts down 25 million trees each year to make 45 billion pairs of chopsticks.
Uncle John’s Certified Organic Bathroom Reader, 2009, p.214.

Trash Methane
Tash rotting in landfills produces a third of all harmful methane emissions worldwide.
Uncle John’s Certified Organic Bathroom Reader, 2009, p.220.

Toxic Chemical Deaths
Globally, 5 million people die each year from exposure to toxic chemicals.
Uncle John’s Certified Organic Bathroom Reader, 2009, p.274.

Strawberry C
Strawberries have more vitamin C than oranges.
Uncle John's Certified Organic Bathroom Reader, 2009, p.208.

Apples
Apples are a member of the rose family.
Armchair Reader The Book of Incredible Information, 2008, p.232.