Surprising facts, every one sourced · factsmate

◆ Fact of the day

Global life expectancy has more than doubled in a century

A newborn in 1900 could expect about 32 years; today the global average is over 70.

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Today’s mix

Nature & Animals Evolution

The Oldest Air-Breathing Land Animal Was a Millipede

55 sec read

Technology Inventions

The barcode was first sketched as lines in Florida beach sand

75 sec read

Religion & Beliefs Mythology

Four English weekday names come from Norse gods

45 sec read

Technology Engineering

Roman concrete heals its own cracks — and we only just learned how

65 sec read

History Ancient

Roman hypocausts: underfloor heating 2,000 years ago

100 sec read

Nature & Animals Reptiles & Amphibians

The axolotl regrows limbs, heart, and even brain

85 sec read