The Car Fuel Nobody Talks About: PEANUTS Almost Changed Transportation History | Have YOU Heard?
Have YOU heard… that folks once tried to power cars with peanut oil?! …STAY TUNED!
Welcome to Have YOU Heard! This week, we’re diving into the nutty history of alternative fuels. Back in the early 20th century, as the automobile was gaining popularity, some bright sparks were looking for fuels beyond gasoline. One intriguing idea involved using peanut oil! Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine himself, actually experimented with vegetable oils, including peanut oil, to power his early engines. While it didn’t exactly become the fuel of the future, it’s a fascinating reminder of the creative thinking that goes into innovation!
**(Source: Various historical accounts of early alternative fuel experiments and biographies of Rudolf Diesel.)**
Now, speaking of things that are twisted and interesting, Friday, April 26th, is National Pretzel Day! According to nationaldaycalendar.com, this is the perfect excuse to enjoy those salty, knotted treats. Whether you prefer them soft or crunchy, with mustard or cheese, pretzels have a long and winding history, dating back centuries. So, go ahead and get your twist on!
**(Source: nationaldaycalendar.com)**
Now, let’s take to the skies with a bit of quirky Americana, courtesy of todayifoundout.com. Back in 1918, the U.S. Post Office released its first airmail stamp featuring a Curtiss JN-4H biplane. Sounds normal, right? Well, a printing error caused a batch of these stamps to be produced with the airplane printed upside down! Only 100 of these “Inverted Jenny” stamps were ever made, and they’ve become one of the most famous and valuable errors in stamp collecting history. Imagine paying a few cents for a stamp that’s now worth millions! Talk about an investment that really took off!
**(Source: todayifoundout.com)**
Here’s a tasty tidbit of trivia, thanks to todayifoundout.com. Ever wonder where the word “sandwich” comes from? It’s named after John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, an 18th-century English nobleman. Legend has it that he was so engrossed in a card game that he didn’t want to leave the table to eat. So, he asked for his meat to be served between two slices of bread, and voila! The sandwich was born. Talk about a game-changer for lunchtime!
**(Source: todayifoundout.com)**
On April 23rd, we likely passed the believed birthday (and death day) of one of the greatest writers in the English language: William Shakespeare, born in 1564. His plays and sonnets continue to be studied and performed centuries later. To be or not to be… a literary genius? Definitely the latter!
**(Source: Various historical biographies of William Shakespeare.)**
On April 25th, many parts of the United States observe National Arbor Day! This is a day dedicated to planting trees and promoting the importance of trees in our environment. So, if you get a chance, plant a sapling and help make the world a little greener!
**(Source: nationaldaycalendar.com and arborday.org)**
Speaking of making things greener, I’m planning on doing some serious gardening this weekend. My wife gave me a whole set of instructions. I asked her, “What’s the first thing I should plant?” She said, “Yourself in that chair and watch a gardening show!” I told her that wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. I’m hoping to grow some tomatoes. Wish me luck – last year, the squirrels had a better harvest than I did. They were really *sowing* their wild oats!
Watch, Learn and Enjoy!
Troy W. Hudson
💚🎤 #haveyouheard