Fun Fact: The Olympic Diploma

More Than Just One Winner

Since the Olympics are currently going on in Sochi, Russia, I figured I'd give you all a little known fact about the awards. There is actually an award given to the participants that place 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th. Obviously 1st, 2nd, and 3rd receive medals but the remaining competitors receive an "Olympic Diploma." I think of it as like a consolation prize. So you're probably thinking, "You missed getting a medal and you get a piece of paper instead? So what?" Well you may be right, but you have to remember what that paper represents. There may be 10,000 other athletes you beat to place 5th. This may have been your first Olympic contest and you placed high enough to receive recognition. All sorts of factors come in to play when you think about what that paper represents.

The idea of a diploma or certificate dates back as far as the beginning of modern Olympic games in 1896. An artist was commissioned to design the certificates that were awarded to the first and second place finishers. This being the original award given to the competitors. From 1948-1980 the diploma was given to athletes who placed between first and sixth. After 1980, the diploma was extended to those who placed in seventh and eighth.

This is a pretty cool fun fact to bring up while you're watching the Olympic games.

That's your daily brain gain!

Fun Fact: Poison Ivy is Nothing Compared to This Plant

Warning: Not Friendly Plant

The Dendrocnide Moroides, or gimpi gimpi, is a large bush plant native to the rainforest areas in northeastern Australia and other oceanic areas. Possibly best known for the stinging hairs that cover the plant and release a neurotoxin when touched. Contact with these stinging hairs has been described as being electrocuted and sprayed with hot acid at the same time. The hairs covering the plant are hollow and pierce the skin causing a stinging sensation that can last for days or even months. This sting is so potent it can kill dogs, horses, and even humans. Clearly this plant is not to be fooled around with. Best form of treatment is using a form of wax hair removal strips to pull out the hollow hairs.

Australian Geographic has an awesome article describing more about this terrifying plant, Click Here

Now you wont complain so much when you get a little poison ivy. That is your daily brain gain!

Fun Fact: Who Invented the Seatbelt?

Thank You Volvo

Most, if not all of us, drive cars every day. We almost have a routine every time we get into a car. Open the door, sit in the seat, click the belt, and you're off to your destination. The seatbelt is possibly the most overlooked safety invention in the automobile's history. The modern version of the seatbelt was invented by Nils Bohlin, an engineer for Volvo, in 1959. Mr. Bohlin could've easily kept the patent with Volvo and probably made a decent amount of money selling it off, but Volvo's guidelines and beliefs stood taller than that. They made the patent open for public use, thus saving over a million lives world wide.

Check out this wikipedia page to learn more about the Seatbelt

Don't forget to thank Nils Bohlin and Volvo next time you buckle up.

That's your daily brain gain!