The first commercially successful jigsaw puzzle was created in 1760s England, based on a map of the world, making it a surprisingly old form of entertainment.
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The Roman army used a sophisticated system of signals using flags and torches to communicate over long distances, sometimes covering up to 100 miles in a single day.
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One of the stated goals of the Children's Crusade (1212) was to convert the Muslims through the innocence and purity of children, believing their piety would be irresistible.
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Hedy Lamarr, famous for her Hollywood beauty, co-invented a frequency-hopping spread spectrum communication system during World War II, a technology foundational to modern Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
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Archaeologists have found evidence of chewing gum dating back to the Neolithic period, often containing plant material, hair, and even teeth.
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The QWERTY keyboard layout, despite being demonstrably inefficient, persists due to path dependence: early adoption created a lock-in effect, making it too costly to switch to more efficient alternatives.
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Postcolonial literature often utilizes magical realism to represent the lingering effects of colonialism and the disruption of traditional narratives.
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Some historical reenactors meticulously recreate even the smells of a historical period, using period-appropriate ingredients and techniques for cooking and cleaning.
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The Christmas Truce of 1914 saw soldiers from opposing sides spontaneously ceasing hostilities to celebrate Christmas together, sharing food, and even playing games.
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The Industrial Revolution saw a dramatic increase in the use of child labor, with children as young as five working long hours in dangerous factories and mines.
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