The average new car weighed 3,221 pounds in 1987 but 4,009 pounds in 2010.

R.L. Stine, author of the megaselling children’s series Goosebumps and others, was also the creator of Scholastic Inc. humor magazine Bananas (1975-1984).

Charlie Brown once had an imaginary dance partner named Emily.

In the 1940s, Superman defeated the Ku Klux Klan in a 16-episode series called “Clan of the Fiery Cross,” which led to a drop in KKK recruitment.

Frank Sinatra preferred whiskey over marijuana.

This article appears in July 15 • 2011.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US