Community discoveries
Every discovery began with someone wanting to know a little more.
9 discoveries
Liverpool's police team wore hefty hobnailed boots that dug in, while their rivals slid in ordinary shoes. The Americans complained, but the boots stayed on — and so did the gold.
Dive deeper
While most goalies strapped on fibreglass masks after a 1959 injury, Andy Brown didn't wear one until his last season in the league. 😬
Dive deeper
In 1908, organisers stretched the route from Windsor Castle to the stadium so the finish line sat below the royal box. The exact distance stuck. 👑
Dive deeper
The league moved it to a flat 22 feet in 1994 to juice up scoring, then put it back at 23 feet 9 inches in 1997 after shooters got too comfortable. 🏀
Dive deeper
In Mongolia's Naadam festival, child jockeys as young as five ride semi-wild horses across up to 30 km of open steppe. The races are a test of endurance for both horse and rider.
Dive deeper
In 1996, Todd McFarlane paid $2.3 million for the ball Mark McGwire hit for his 70th home run. The ball was retrieved by a fan who did not pay for it, highlighting the speculative market for sports memorabilia.
Dive deeper
The spin drags air faster on one side, lowering pressure there and pushing the ball sideways. Seam orientation matters because it affects how smoothly air flows around the ball.
Dive deeperThe course ran from Windsor Castle to the White City Stadium so the start was below the royal nursery and the finish was in front of the royal box. The exact 26 miles 385 yards became the standard marathon distance.
Dive deeper
The ancient Greeks believed nudity honored Zeus and removed any chance of hiding weapons. The word 'gymnasium' derives from 'gymnos', meaning naked, where athletes trained without clothes.
Dive deeper