As you’re reading this, the first notes in the longest and slowest piece of music in history are being played. Called “As Slow as Possible,” it was penned by the late avant-garde composer John Cage. The song will last 639 years and is being played on a church organ in the German town of Halberstadt.

Walter Matthau was a radioman-gunner on bombers during World War II and served under Lt. Jimmy Stewart.

More than 30 people in the United States die each year in elevators.

Some mint julep aficionados would never make the drink with Jack Daniel’s because they wouldn’t use the Tennessee sour mash beverage in place of “true” Kentucky bourbon.

Octopods and squids are, like clams and such, mollusks.

This article appears in October 3 • 2003.

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