Interesting Facts

Hereby some unusual facts. From history etc.

Cars

. To accomodate the torsion bar suspension the Renault 16 has a shorter wheelbase on the right side.

. The oldest car model still in production is the Chevrolet Suburban, debuting in 1935.




Aircraft

. "The Spruce Goose," Howard Hughes's giant aircraft, was mainly made out of laminated wood, mostly birch (not spruce).

. The right wing of Macchi C.202 Folgore is shorter than the left wing. The left wing has a larger surface, having more lift, in order to counteract the torque of the engine.




Geography

. In Colombia there’s a town called Turbo.




History

. The 1933 Reichskonkordat between Germany and The Holy See is still valid.

. In 1762 French philosopher Rousseau said of Corsica: “I have a premonition that some day this little island will astonish Europe.” Seven years later Napoleon was born there.

. Richard Lionheart is known as an English king. But he only spoke French.

. When king Alfred of Wessex visited Rome he was given the title of “Roman Consul,” 400 years after the fall of the Roman Empire. -- Speaking of the longevity of Roman titles: whether he’s historical or not, Rome’s founder Romulus adopted the title of Pontifex Maximus, "great builder of bridges". Today, almost 3000 years later, the Pope of Rome carries the same title.

. “What price, Churchill?” – In 1939, after Churchill once again had failed in his efforts to enter the government, posters with this text was seen in central London. It’s still not known who was responsible for the posters.

. The medals for the Victoria Cross is still made by bronze from cannons, taken at Sevastopol during the Crimean War.

. When the Duke of Wellington (the victor of Waterloo) was buried, it took over an hour to read out all his titles.

. WWII, unusual enemies: in 1940, the Brits sinking French ships at Mers-el-Kebir. And Brits fighting the French in the Syria-Lebanon campaign of 1941.

. WWII, unusual allies: after the Japanese surrender in 1945, the Brits were using surrendered Japanese as auxiliary units in fighting Indonesian guerilla.

. The German WWII general Hasso von Manteuffel was only 142 cm tall.




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