Did You Know? (11-9-07)

• Today’s cattle are descended from two species: wild aurochs — fierce and agile herd animals that populated Asia, North Africa and Europe — and eotragus — an antelope-like, Asian forest creature.

• There are 336 dimples on a regulation golf ball.

• The Beatles song “Martha My Dear” was written by Paul McCartney about his sheepdog Martha.

• Slinkys were invented by an airplane mechanic; he was playing with engine parts and realized the possible secondary use of one of the springs.

• One of the many Tarzans, Karmuela Searlel, was mauled to death on the set by a raging elephant.

• The American version of St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus originally came from the Dutch version called Sint Klaas. The Dutch settlers in New Amsterdam (New York) brought this fun and lively tradition (some even say cult) to America. More on the history of santa claus.

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