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The so called "CIA" method for making black powder wasn't invented by the CIA at all. It existed long before the CIA did. When using the "CIA" method you mix potassium (or sodium) nitrate together with very fine charcoal from leaf trees together with sulfur in smallest possible amount of boiling water. Than a non-polar solvent like acetone or alkohol, chilled to at least 0 F or -20 C is poured in, which makes the nitrate kristalline inside the porosities of the charcoal particles. This makes the charcoal and nitrate mixed very intimate, which is needed for good performance of the black powder.

The name "black" powder probably is from older times when the amount of charcoal was greater. In Germany it's called Schwarz Pulver and it was believed for centuries that it was invented by a Bavarian monk called Berthold Schwartz. Even Jules Vernes believed in this. Fact it that it came to Europe from China and probably came to China from India.

The German V2 rockets were filled with 2000 pounds of amatol, an explosive made of 40-20% TNT and 60-80% ammonium nitrate. Even when the percentage of TNT is just 20% it is almost as powerful as pure TNT, while pure ammonium nitrate is much less powerful.

To make music seem twice as loud you must increase total power by a factor of four.

Does a Duck's Quack Echo?
This myth originated in lists of "Random Facts" distributed over the internet.

Myth statement Status Notes
A duck's quack does not echo. Busted When examined by an audio-expert, it was found that the echo was "swallowed" by the original quack, due to the very similar acoustic structure between the quack and the echo. Because of this, it may be difficult to tell where the quack ends and the echo begins


You guys are soooo smart!

penguins have knees

The dynamite, the (modern) propeller, the adjustable spanner, the ball bearing and the automatical light house are all Swedish inventions.

People who are of the blood group O have naturally occuring antibodies to group A and B red cells. People who are group A have antibodies to group B, and vice versa. People who are group AB have no naturally occuring blood group antibodies (but can still form some in response to transfusion or pregnancy).

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Diagnosed but unconvinced... I reckon I'm just a rude and arrogant wierdo

The Swedish car manufacturer Saab built a model with a three cylinder engine that was a two stroke, like a motorcycle. It revved very quickly, and was raced successfully. One driver was nicknamed "On The Roof Carlson" due to his uncanny ability to flip his car. Also refers to a character in a children's story. (Is that yes, Litigious?)

I have green eyes

I have dark brown hair

There is more absorbable calcium in dandelion leaves than in milk.