Author Archives: Cris

Pope Benedict XVI

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Pope Benedict XVI

The 256th pope: Pope Benedict XVI.

  • Benedict XVI’s real name is Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger and he was born on the 16th April 1927.
  • Benedict XVI was pope of the Catholic church from 19th April, 2005 to February 28th 2013.
  • Benedict XVI was a priest from 1951 and a full professor in 1958.
  • Benedict XVI was responsible for restarting many old catholic traditions.
  • Benedict XVI resigned in February since he had “lack of strength in the mind and body”.
Pope Benedict XVI, Staff Cross, Catholic, Upper Half, Gold, Yellow, Traditional, Flickr, Catholic Church of England and Wales, Portugal, 2010, Ten Random Facts
Benedict XVI
Image courtesy of Catholic Church (England and Wales)/Flickr
  • Benedict XVI was the first pope to resign in 598 years, the last pope to resign was Pope Gregory XII in 1415.
  • Benedict XVI chose to use the name ‘Benedict’ in honour of Benedict XV and Saint Benedict of Nursia.
  • Benedict XVI particularly used the theme of ‘Friendship with Jesus Christ’ in his teachings.
  • Benedict XVI likes classical music and cats, and is a pianist.
  • Benedict XVI has written 66 books.
Bibliography:
Pope Benedict XVI 3 March 2013, Wikipedia,  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Benedict_XVI>

Leaning Tower of Pisa

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Leaning Tower of Pisa

Don’t knock it over!

  • The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a tilted, free-standing bell tower that is part of Pisa’s cathedral.
  • The Leaning Tower of Pisa is located in the city of Pisa, Italy and is famous for its tilt to one side.
  • During the construction process in 1178, the Leaning Tower of Pisa began to tilt since the ground was too soft on one side to support the weight of the building
  • The Leaning Tower of Pisa’s height is 55.9 – 56.7 meters (183.3 – 186 inches) and has a total of 296 steps to reach the  top.
  • Before restoration in the late 1900s, the Leaning Tower of Pisa had a tilt of 5.5°, and after the restorations the tilt was reduced to 3.99°.

Tower, Leaning, Pisa, Italy, Europe, Bell Tower, Cathedral, Ten Random Facts, Free Digital Photos

Leaning Tower of Pisa
Image courtesy of Matt Banks/ Free Digital Photos
  •  The Leaning Tower of Pisa was built from 1173 – 1372 in three stages, although work stopped for more than 100 years during that time.
  • Since the Italian government was afraid of the Leaning Tower of Pisa collapsing, similar to another tower incident in 1989, they removed earth from underneath the tower, which helped to stabilise the tilting.
  • The Leaning Tower of Pisa has seven bells installed in the tower.
  • Since monitoring began in 1911, it was discovered that the Leaning Tower of Pisa was moving at 1.2 mm (o.o5 inches) per year.
  • No one actually knows who the true identy of the architect is, that designed the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Bibliography:
Harris, W n.d, Will the Leaning Tower of Pisa ever fall?, How Stuff Works,   <http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/will-leaning-tower-of-pisa-fall.htm>

Blimp

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Blimp

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No… It’s a blimp!

  • Blimps are aircraft with no inside framework used for support.
  • Blimps lift due to high pressure and helium pumped in the balloon.
  • The only solid parts of a blimp are the gondola, where the passengers are, and tail fins used for stability.
  • Blimps require propeller motors for steering mobility.
  • Some blimps were used for patrolling purposes for the United States Navy in the World War I period.

Blimp, Blue, Yellow, Side, Stripes, White, Blue Sky, Ten Random Facts, Tom Grinsted, Flickr

Blimp
Image courtesy of Tom Grinsted/Flickr
  • Blimps are commonly used for advertising purposes, and some blimps have 1000s of LED lights on them to shine messages.
  • Blimps are often deflated in transportation processes.
  • The term ‘blimp’ only refers to aircraft that free fly in the air.
  • The term ‘blimp’ is a mix of the original British word for blimp, limp, and the most common type of blimp class, B, thus creating ‘blimp’.
  • In 1925, Goodyear Tire and Rubber created the blimps we now know today.
Bibiliography:
Blimp 28 February 2013 , Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blimp>
Freudenrich, C N.d., Blimp, How Stuff Works, <http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/flight/modern/blimp.htm>

Lock Key

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Lock Key

Turn, click. Open!

  • There are many different types of keys which are used to open locks.
  • Keys are tools that are used in security and access of homes and cars etc.
  • House keys are the most common type of keys, then car keys.
  • Keys can be double sided or four sided, for extra security.
  • Thousands of years ago, wood was used to make keys.

Keys, Skeleton, Lots, Old, New, Blue, Rad, Small, Car Key, Traditional Key, Tags, Ten Random Facts

  • Some say that Theodore of Samos invented the key in the 6th century BC.
  • Romans used to wear keys as rings as symbols of wealthiness and for security.
  • Key duplicating was invented in 1917 using a blank key and a wheel that cuts the key.
  • Some keys are cylindrical, and are called tubular keys, which are commonly used among vending machines, laptop and bicycle locks.
  • Key cards are alternate keys that are like flat credit cards and are typically used in hotels.
Bibliography:
Key (Lock) 15 February 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_(lock)>

Scone

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Scone

Yum Yum!

  • A scone is a small, single serve, cake-like bread.
  • Scones are generally made from wheat, barley or oats, and are best mixed by hand.
  • Scones are believed to have originated from Scotland.
  • Scones are pronounced ‘s-con’ or ‘s-cone’.
  • Scones were originally round and flat instead of the modern bulky round shape.

Scone, Cream, Jam, Apricot, Homemade, One, Single, Delicious, Yummy, Crumbly, Ten Random Facts, Gormet

  • Scones were originally made with unleavened oats.
  • Scones commonly include raisins, currents, cheese or dates in the batter.
  • Some people in Australia add pumpkin to the batter to make delicous pumpkin flavoured scones.y
  • The English Oxford Dictionary says the term ‘scones’ used for the cake was first used in 1513.
  • Scones are commonly served with jam and cream.
Bibliography:
Scone 18 February 2013, Wikipedia,<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scone>

 

Sea Slug

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Sea Slug

Slimy sea slugs.

  • Sea slugs are also known as nudibranches, which means naked gills.
  • Sea slugs are commonly found in tropical oceans.
  • Sea slugs are mollusks without shells and come in a large variety of shapes, sizes and colours.
  • There are thousands of species in the world, and at least 500 of them are found at Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
  • Some sea slugs are as small as sand, and some grow up to 30cm (12 inches) in length.
Sea Slug, Yellow, Blue Spots, Philippines, Coral, Sea, Beautiful, National Geographic, Ten Random Facts
Sea Slug
Image courtesy of National Geographic
  • Sea slugs have special, feathery gills at the back of the slug’s body that allow them to breathe.
  • Sea slugs are carnivores that feed on sponge, coral, fish eggs, crabs, shrimp, lobster and clam.
  • Sea slugs have strong jaws and rough tongues.
  • Sea slugs have both male and female organs.
  • Some sea slugs are eaten by humans and have been used in traditional medicine in the far East.
Bibliography:
Holden-Boone, A 1998, Coral Reef, Somerville House Books, Canada
Sea Slug 2008, A-Z Animals, <http://a-z-animals.com/animals/sea-slug/>
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