Strange But True: Purple Carrots
By Lucie Winborne
The first documented carrots were purple, yellow and white. Orange carrots became popular in Europe in the 1500s, and many food historians believe Dutch growers promoted them to honor the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange, during a politically charged period in the Netherlands.
When resources were scarce during World War II, some German and Austrian banks printed emergency banknotes on wood, leather and playing cards.
Electric eels and electric rays possess enough electricity to kill a horse.
Swimmers, surfers and fishermen sometimes wear pantyhose under or instead of swimwear because their nylon mesh prevents many types of jellyfish stingers from touching the skin.
The $2 bill was once considered unlucky due to its ties to gambling.
The Latin phrase "Pecunia non olet" ("Money does not stink") derives from a urine tax levied by Roman emperors Nero and Vespasian in the first century A.D.
Studies show women are 18% more likely to be attracted to the color blue.
Before founding Wendy's, Dave Thomas helped struggling KFC franchises in Columbus, Ohio, turn themselves around in 1962. He was paid with 45% ownership. When he sold his share back, he used the money to open his first Wendy's.
In early Rome, Aulus Cornelius Celsus documented his attempts at straightening teeth by applying pressure with his hands at regular intervals.
Sean Connery was once stopped for speeding by a policeman named James Bond.
According to NASA, autumn is "aurora season" because geomagnetic storms are about twice as frequent as the annual average during the fall.
(c) 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.