Burl Ives once played football for Eastern Illinois University.

The biggest moonshine bust in the United States actually occurred in 2001.

Bob Snodgrass is credited by some as the first person to blow handmade glass pipes using the “inside out” technique to add color.

Cats tailor the pitch of their purr to trigger a nurturing response (“Refill my bowl!”) in their owners, according to researchers at the University of Sussex, who call it a “solicitation purr.” They may also use an urgent cry or meowing sound embedded with an otherwise pleasing purr.

At one point, Frank Zappa designed greeting cards.

This article appears in September 25 • 2009.

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