The planet Uranus was discovered by Sir William Herschel in 1781. It's the only planet named after a figure from Greek mythology rather than Roman nudes
Ushi no toki mairi, meaning "Shrine visit at the hour of the ox" is a Japanese method of laying a curse to someone, involving nailing a straw effigy to a tree for seven nights straight!
Benjamin Franklin is credited with the actual invention of the rocking chair in 1710, although other sources claim it was invented by farmers or by early cabinetmakers.
Mount Everest is growing every year. The high erosion of the combined rivers supercharged Everest's growth, adding around two millimeters of additional height each year.
