Thread: Useless facts/knowledge

Originally Posted by Jimbo

It doesn't have to be buses either, of course. Any old waiting time will do.

James.

What about waiting for Guffman?

Armadillos are not college educated. This is a well known fact.

Mount Fuji is 12,365 feet high. An easy way to always remember this is; there are 12 months in a year and 365 days thus 12,365

In 2009 Racine, Wisconsin, USA won the best tasting municipal water in the USA.

Yep, pumped right out of Lake Michigan.

That is not why we moved here.

Dave

A "fathom" is a unit of measure that is US 6ft or SI Metric 1.8m. The use of a fathom is nearly obsolete as any nautical chart or citation using it as a unit of length will convert it to SI metric prior to release to Navy or civilian sectors. Oddly enough people use "fathometers" as a depth finder gauge but the use of "fathoms" on such tools are usually found on more expensive models... but no one really uses it for "fathom" measurements and only US Hydrographers use it but again, convert it to SI Metric prior to release to Navy or public. Go figure.

Thus, a fathom is rather useless since it will be converted one way or another. I know so, I did nautical charting for a few years and had the honor of converting every piece of someone's hard work done at sea. Click the meter button next time you butt pirate!

Originally Posted by Logistics

A "fathom" is a unit of measure that is US 6ft or SI Metric 1.8m. The use of a fathom is nearly obsolete as any nautical chart or citation using it as a unit of length will convert it to SI metric prior to release to Navy or civilian sectors. Oddly enough people use "fathometers" as a depth finder gauge but the use of "fathoms" on such tools are usually found on more expensive models... but no one really uses it for "fathom" measurements and only US Hydrographers use it but again, convert it to SI Metric prior to release to Navy or public. Go figure.

Thus, a fathom is rather useless since it will be converted one way or another. I know so, I did nautical charting for a few years and had the honor of converting every piece of someone's hard work done at sea. Click the meter button next time you butt pirate!

The commercial fishing sector still uses fathoms all the time. For depths on charts and for the measurement of line as well. It is the standard unit within the industry.

Till 1970..old dictionary.

dis·crim·i·na·tion
1.an act or instance of discriminating, or of making a distinction.
2. the power of making fine distinctions; discriminating judgment: She chose the colors with great discrimination.
3. Archaic. something that serves to differentiate.

Archaic...no longer taught nor suggested:

con·se·quence
ˈkänsikwəns,-ˌkwens/
noun
plural noun: consequences

1.
a result or effect of an action or condition.
"many have been laid off from work as a consequence of the administration's policies"
synonyms: result, upshot, outcome, effect, repercussion, ramification, corollary, concomitant, aftermath, aftereffect;

~Richard

Until the year 1450 or so, glass was only colored. Then some smart dude figured a way to make clear glass to see through.

The battle for the island of Okinawa cost 12000 American lives and 36000 injured and maimed. Thank a Veteran this weekend for his service to our country and also for your freedom.

Originally Posted by mrsell63

Until the year 1450 or so, glass was only colored. Then some smart dude figured a way to make clear glass to see through.

I suppose that depends on how one defines 'clear', but these are from the 2nd century Roman world. Some time around 100CE, some glassmaker in Alexandria figured out to make clear glass but as far as I know you're absolutely right that clear glass was not popular or widespread until quite late.