In ancient Greece, tossing an apple to a girl was a traditional proposal of marriage. Catching it meant that she accepted.
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Early Romans used to use porcupine quills as toothpicks.
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Pierre Jaquet-Droz, a watchmaker, 240 years ago invented a robot that could write, and the parts could be interchanged to say whatever you want.
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Because metal was scarce; the Oscars given out during World War II were made of plaster.
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Vikings used the skulls of their enemies as drinking vessels.
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In the great fire of London, in 1666, half of London was burnt down but only 6 people were injured.
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During the Black Plague, it was thought that bad smells were the cause of the plague. "Plague Doctors" therefore wore masks with long beak-like noses stuffed with flowers or smoke to hide the smells.
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