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80 Days, Eternal Glow, and a Priceless Birthday Tune
Explore a record-breaking journey, the timeless charm of cold cream, and the hidden costs of singing ‘Happy Birthday.
Max Whitt
November 27, 2024
Hello, fellow seekers of the peculiar and profound. Max Whitt here, with three delightful morsels to stir your curiosity. From a 19th-century travel feat to a skincare secret hidden in plain sight, and a musical tale that resonates across decades, this round is a mix of the unexpected and the nostalgic. Let’s dive in.
Phileas Fogg’s Real-Life Inspiration
In 1873, Jules Verne published Around the World in 80 Days, introducing the world to the unflappable Phileas Fogg. But did you know the story might have been inspired by a real-life globetrotter? George Francis Train, an eccentric American entrepreneur, completed an around-the-world journey in 80 days—twice! Train even declared himself a candidate for U.S. president, proving that ambition and audacity often go hand in hand.
Cold Cream: The Oldest Skincare Staple
Cleopatra might have had her milk baths, but ancient Romans had cold cream—a concoction of olive oil, beeswax, and rosewater invented by Galen, a Greek physician. This emollient was used to cleanse and moisturize skin long before store shelves were lined with fancy lotions. Today’s cleansers owe their roots to this timeless remedy. Cleopatra may have had her secrets, but Galen gave us one we can still use.
Why "Happy Birthday" Is So Expensive
Did you ever wonder why singing “Happy Birthday” in movies often feels…off? Until 2016, the rights to the song were owned by Warner/Chappell Music, which charged hefty licensing fees for public performances. It wasn’t until a lawsuit revealed the claim to be baseless that the tune became free to use. So, next time you belt it out at a party, know you’re saving someone a small fortune.
And there you have it: a globetrotter who outpaced fiction, a skincare recipe that defied centuries, and a birthday song with a surprisingly lucrative past. Until next time, keep your mind sharp, your skin glowing, and your celebrations budget-friendly.
— Max Whitt
