During the Cold War, CIA agents used a method of communication based on how their shoelaces were tied.Source

Sony is primarily an insurance company in Japan and electronics are not their main source of income.Source

"The Fire Officers Guide to Disaster Control" book contains a chapter (ch. 13) on UFOs hazards and how to handle UFO emergency's.Source

Sri Lanka has a Ministry and Minister of Coconut Development.Source

England used to have a "window tax". People refused to disclose how much money they made, considering it an invasion of privacy - so you would be charged based on how many windows your house had. In retaliation, people bricked up their windows, which you can still see today.Source

When telephones first came into commercial use you had to whistle loudly into the receiver to get the other person's attention, as telephone bells hadn't been invented yet.Source

In order for MIT students to graduate, they must pass a swim test as it's deemed "a self-survival skill."Source

The motto on the United Kingdom's coat of arms is in French.Source

Astronauts can grow up to 2" taller during their time in space due to the elongation of their spine in microgravity.Source

The Titanic crew had no binoculars , which may have helped them see the iceberg. They were inside a locker and the key was lost.Source