The ancient Romans used sponges instead of toilet paper.

Taxpayers have spent more than $4 billion on capital punishment in California since it was reinstated in 1978 – an average of about $308 million for each of the 13 executions carried out since then.

In Phoenix, there is an average of one drug-related kidnapping every day.

According to writer Andrea Jezovit, the average daily calories per capita available from the U.S. food supply in 1970 was 2,168. In 2008, it was 2,673. If everyone ran an hour a day at 8 miles per hour, that would make up for the increase.

Elvis’ girlfriend Dixie Locke said she once watched him eat eight deluxe cheeseburgers, two BLTs, and three chocolate milkshakes.

This article appears in August 5 • 2011.

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