The Black Death inadvertently contributed to the rise of capitalism by wiping out the feudal labor structure in Europe.

The word 'salary' comes from 'sal' (salt) — Roman soldiers were sometimes paid in salt.

Sea cucumbers expel their internal organs when threatened and later regenerate them.

The surgeon's checklist, based on aviation safety protocols, has reduced surgical deaths by over 40% in hospitals that use it.

The Eiffel Tower grows slightly taller in summer due to heat expansion.

The lifetime odds of dying from extreme heat are about 1 in 10,000.

The word 'sandwich' is named after the 4th Earl of Sandwich, who popularized eating meat between bread slices.

The pistol shrimp creates a cavitation bubble when snapping its claw, briefly reaching 8,000°F.

Black pepper was once so valuable it was used as currency and to pay ransoms.