When it comes to attractive (or annoying) climbing vines, you’ve probably been itching to learn about ivy, a popular choice for adding greenery to walls, fences, and other structures (whether you want it to or not). But there’s actually a lot more to ivy than meets the eye. For example, did you know that all … Read more
Cacti are a type of succulent plant, meaning they store water in their leaves or stems. They’re best known for being prickly, fast, and having a 1,000 needles attack if they get mad at you. But more importantly, they make for some great, sun-loving (usually) houseplants and are incredibly easy to care for. Not to … Read more
Forklifts are one of those vehicles every kid seems to love. From the old days of Tonka to modern LEGO City sets, forklifts are everywhere. But what you see is just the tip of the iceberg. There are more than 100 types of forklift out there, some of which look nothing like the iconic images … Read more
When people first began riding horses, they quickly discovered that having a spine between your legs isn’t very comfortable. Blankets seemed to help a little, but these still posed a problem when it came to centering the rider’s weight. Then, around 200 BC, some horse enthusiasts in Asia developed the first saddle tree. The Samaritans … Read more
When someone mentions the word reiki to you, you either picture a type of massage or someone playing in a little zen sand garden. But there’s a lot more to this word than meets the eye. In fact, the notion that it’s an ancient art form is itself incorrect. The word 霊気 is made of … Read more
Whether you wear your sunglasses at night or reserve their use for the noonday sun, there’s no denying the usefulness of a nice pair of shades. These days, you can purchase them in all shapes and sizes, including ones that simply clip onto your regular glasses. But what you may not be aware of is … Read more
Chances are, if someone mentions lobsters, you’ll either picture British soldiers or get hungry. But there’s a lot more to lobsters than meets the eye. These unusual arthropods are technically immortal, only dying from disease or a fractured exoskeleton. As such, that meal you’re thinking about may be older than you! But something else you … Read more
When you think of a trombone, you generally picture marching bands or the brass section of a large orchestra. However, this instrument is far more versatile and actually includes several different types. Some of these types are rarer than others, and many are special adaptations to improve range or fit specific functions. Here are 13 … Read more
When you think of accordions, you probably either picture people in funny costumes playing polkas while others drink beer or Weird Al Yankovich. The latter made the accordion popular in the West with his zany parodies, which originally included polka-style mixes of popular tunes using an accordion. But one thing you might not know is … Read more
Invented in the late 1600s by Johann Denner, the clarinet is one of the most recognizable and beloved of all woodwinds. However, it might surprise you to find out that there are actually numerous types of clarinet, most of which look nearly identical. Unlike a lot of other instruments, clarinets are usually classified by the … Read more
