The 1956 movie Forbidden Planet is based upon Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
The term “trap set,” drums common to most jazz combos and rock bands, is a contraction of “The Contraption,” which was used in the early 1900s.
The Egyptians believed the nose to be the path to the soul.
From the late 1910s until about WW II, bathrooms in public schools were built with toilets facing south and stall doors used spring hinges that swung open between uses. The reason: Folks thought streaming sunlight would sanitize the toilet seats.
Depending on room conditions and combination of foods eaten, one could die from an overdose of one’s own gas.
The above is information which Mr. Smarty Pants read in a book, a magazine, or the newspaper;
heard on the radio; saw on television; or overheard at a party. Got any facts?
Leave a message for Mr. Smarty Pants, at 454-5766, ext. 226 for possible inclusion in the column.
E-mail: mrpants@auschron.com
This article appears in May 30 • 1997 and May 30 • 1997 (Cover).