9. Geckos
Nocturnal geckos have to be able to block out the bright sun during the day while still retaining excellent night vision, which is why they have long zig-zagged pupils that can tightly constrict to let in only pinpoints of light. Interestingly, while humans cannot see colors in dim moonlight, these animals can discriminate between colors and their eyes are calculated to be almost 350 times stronger when it comes to seeing color.
Not-Your-Average College Degrees
Puppetry—University of Connecticut
The first puppet arts class at this university actually dates back to 1964, but now students can earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts as well as a Master of Arts or a Master of Fine Arts in Puppetry. Pupils take courses in everything from costume design to marionette performance. In order to qualify for the program, applicants must perform a 3- to 5-minute rehearsed presentation, an improvised presentation and a portfolio presentation. Photo by Shutterstock.
9 Unintentional Inventions
Silly Putty
In 1943, while attempting to create a synthetic rubber substitute, General Electric researcher James Wright dropped boric acid into silicone oil. The result was a polymerized substance that bounced. It took several years to find a use for the product, but in 1950, marketing expert Peter Hodgson saw its potential as a toy and renamed it Silly Putty. The substance has been manufactured by Binney & Smith, Inc. ever since.
15 Most Bizarre Diets in History
2000s: Ear Stapling
The practice of stapling the cartilage of your inner ear to suppress your appetite is loosely based on auricular acupuncture, a form of Chinese healing therapy in which needles are left in the ear for up to one week. With ear stapling, you leave the staple in for six weeks to three months, after which your body will get used to it and it loses its effectiveness. Proponents of this method say the staples stimulate a pressure point that controls the appetite. This weight-loss method hasn’t been proven effective, and can cause a host of dangerous side effects, like serious infection and permanent disfigurement.
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