Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in FYI.

Did You know? - Vicious Venoms
Some animals run fast to catch their prey or escape predators. Some have wings, while others use their sharp claws and teeth to defend or catch their prey. Toxins are no different: they can be used both to subdue prey and to defend themselves.
By Daniel Toth5 years ago in FYI
Hatshepsut, the mysterious Queen of the Nile
When people discover I'm a native Egyptian, they usually bring up the pyramids and pharoahs, especially strong women like Cleopatra. I try not to wince, knowing good old Cleopatra was actually Greek. I know they don't mean any harm by that mistake and probably thought it was a nice icebreaker. I refrain from telling them they're probably just thinking of that iconic scene in the movie "Cleopatra", with Elizabeth Taylor lasciviously posing for Richard Burton.
By Asiya5 years ago in FYI
What's that Australian saying?
We're known for our outdoor lifestyle, beaches, barbeques and the tv show Neighbours.....oh and the Hemsworth brothers. But have you ever wondered what some of those colloquial terms that Australians utter really mean?
By Melanie Charles5 years ago in FYI
Accidental Origins of Four Classic Toys
Wallpaper cleaner or spray-on instant casts for injuries don't sound like loads of fun at a party or in a playroom, but what inventors created with these particular goals turned out to be some of our most classic toys.
By Susan Joy Clark5 years ago in FYI
Show Me the Money
As a child, I remember an older gentleman, a friend of the family, giving me old coins for my birthday. Prior to retiring, he and his wife owned a grocery store. Patrons paid with currency and coins and occasionally an old silver dime or quarter exchanged hands. When he noticed this transaction, he swapped out modern change for the coins with greater value because of their silver content. Over the years, he accumulated quite a collection. Occasionally, I became a beneficiary, as he loved giving the silver away on special days...like celebrating the day of my birth.
By Bryan R..5 years ago in FYI
The First Female Film Director: Alice Guy-Blache
In honor of Women's History Month, I decided to tell the story of an unknown figure in history. That figure is Alice Guy-Blache, the first female film director. The French darling became a pioneer in the film industry. And yet, she's not one of the first names that come to mind when we think of famous directors. More people need to know about Alice so her accomplishments can be remembered.
By Sarah Loyd5 years ago in FYI
The Doorknob
The contributor to a well-known writing hub was outraged. Outraged! He had scored a quickie interview with one of the world’s leading scientists, but he was [darned] if he could come up with the writing hub’s required 600 word-minimum.
By Hamish Alexander5 years ago in FYI
Blame Canada For Ruining Pizza
There are two types of people: those who love pineapples on pizza and those who believe it’s an abomination and representation of all things dark in this world. It‘s an age-old question that has divided the internet and turned friends into enemies, brothers against sisters and has been the subject of numerous virtual battles: does pineapple belong on pizza? On one side, there’s the argument that the sweet, tangy taste of the juicy pineapple balances out the savoury, punchy flavour of the cheese and ham. On the other end, many hold that the addition of the tropical fruit makes a mockery of an already-perfect Italian masterpiece. It's pizza, not a fruit salad!
By Laquesha Bailey5 years ago in FYI
The Mad Science of Aseptic Technique
Imagine yourself in the year 1855, you have fallen from a horse drawn buggy and your arm has suffered a gruesome compound fracture. A piece of broken bone is protruding through your skin and fiery red blood is everywhere. You are rushed to the nearest doctor who will attempt to set the bone properly before bandaging the wound. Before they begin however, the room's bad air or miasma must be removed from the room due to the doctor's recent previous patient. At this point in time miasma was thought to be the cause of infection, so the doctor opens up a window, lets some fresh air in, and then straps you down to the operating table and picks up the still blood covered tools from their previous patient and begins their work on you.
By JLB5 years ago in FYI
History of the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
A curious occurrence happened in the early 4th century Roman Empire. The early church historian Bishop Eusebius tells the story of the Roman Emperor Constantine, who, before a battle against his rival Emperor Maxentius in 312 AD at the Milvian Bridge outside of Rome, had either a dream or vision that he was to conquer in the sign of Christ.
By Bill Petro5 years ago in FYI
Let's Focus on Failure
I remember taking a state practice test when I was in high school. The portion I recall was a critical thinking section and judged your analytical skills in reference to reading. I can’t tell you how well I did or what questions were asked afterward, but I can tell you what information and story I absorbed in that process. It is a seemingly insignificant story or factoid that has influenced me even today.
By E.L. Martin5 years ago in FYI
Creepy West African Urban Legends, Myths & Secrets
All over the world urban legends, myths, and conspiracies play a big part in any society's culture. In the western world, urban legends like Bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster, and myths about haunted locations play an interesting role in our social lives. In the motherland of civilization, this is no different. Just like in the west, on the continent of Africa myths, urban legends, and societal secrets have been passed down through oral traditions, literature, and entertainment.
By C.R. Hughes5 years ago in FYI