Hello curious minds of the internet and welcome back to Curio6yx, where curiosity meets discovery! I'm your host, Luca, and in this episode, connecting to last week closing curiosity, which was about the oldest recipe in the world, we will take a look at other records, watching 5 thousands years back at the oldest tree, reading the first cancer diagnosis ever been made, taking a train from the deepest underground station, counting the highest number of Oscars won by a film, and also the number of words used in a song, closing by taking a look at the largest living animal known to us. So, without further ado, let’s expand our limits to the extremes
The oldest tree alive
While the oldest recipe penned its history in the 18th century BC, the tale of the oldest tree unfolds over millennia, reaching back much, much further. When it comes to the oldest trees in the world, there are various lists, but we'll focus on the one backed by verified ages. At the pinnacle of this arboreal hierarchy stands a tree that remains nameless, residing near Prometheus, the second oldest tree. Both are remarkable Great Basin bristlecone pines, standing sentinel in Wheeler Park, Nevada, United States. The oldest tree on record boasts an astonishing age of more than 5065 years, while Prometheus, securing the second position, stands at a venerable 4900 years. The narrative doesn't end there. Claiming the third spot is Methuselah, a mere 45 years younger than Prometheus. Nestled in the White Mountains, California, United States, Methuselah adds its own chapter to the ancient tales etched in the bark of these enduring giants.
The first cancer diagnosis
Around 3,000 years BC, a groundbreaking discovery in Egypt sheds light on what is now recognised as the oldest description of cancer, albeit without using the term itself. Enter the Edwin Smith Papyrus, a fragment from an ancient Egyptian textbook on trauma surgery. Within the delicate pages of this historical document, we find a fascinating account—eight cases detailing tumors or ulcers of the breast, meticulously removed through cauterisation using a tool known as the fire drill. The text, while offering a glimpse into early medical practices, sombrely concludes: "there is no treatment" for these afflictions. Remarkably, the term "cancer" didn't make its debut until much later, credited to the Greek physician Hippocrates, often revered as the father of medicine. It's a poignant reminder of the journey we've undertaken, spanning over two and a half millennia to comprehend and define the complexities of this formidable adversary.
The deepest underground station
Venturing into the depths of urban engineering, we encounter the world's deepest underground station—a marvel unveiled in 2022. Welcome to the Hongyancun station of the Chongqing Metro in China, where the subterranean journey takes a plunge to an astonishing 116 meters below the ground (381 feet). Delving even deeper, the rails themselves navigate a remarkable 106 meters below the surface. This feat not only sets a new benchmark but also eclipses the previous world record held by Arsenalna Station on the Kiev Metro in Ukraine. For 62 years, Arsenalna stood as the deepest, with its rails reaching 105.5 meters below ground, having opened its doors on November 6, 1960.
Most Oscars won by a film
In the grand realm of cinematic achievements, three films stand tall, each securing an impressive 11 Oscars. The pioneer in this illustrious list is "Ben-Hur," a cinematic masterpiece from the distant year of 1959. "Ben-Hur" swept the Oscars with victories in categories that spanned the breadth of filmmaking excellence. It claimed the titles of Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Score, Best Sound, and Best Special Effects. Remarkably, it lost only a single nominee, conceding in the Best Adapted Screenplay category. Fast forward to 1997, and we find "Titanic" sailing into the Oscars with its own bounty of 11 statuettes. The film, directed by James Cameron, secured victories in Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Score, Best Song, Best Sound, Best Sound Effect Editing, and Best Visual Effect Editing. It faced formidable competition and fell short in three categories: Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Makeup. The third member of this prestigious club is "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," a triumphant release in 2003. This epic fantasy not only clinched Best Picture but also triumphed in Best Director, Best Writing, Best Film Editing, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup, Best Music (Original Score and Song), Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects. This is the only 1 with no lost nominee.
Highest number of words in a song
Diving into the rhythmic ocean of words, we ride the artist wave to explore a song that stands as a testament to lyrical dexterity. Topping the charts for the most number of words packed into a single composition is Eminem's 'Rap God.’ Clocking in at 1560 words, this lyrical marathon unfolds over 6 minutes and 4 seconds, showcasing an impressive average of 4.28 words per second. Excluding the mysterious 26-second intro, sang by an unidentified vocalist, and an undetermined number of words rapped by Eminem in the background (a likely 22), the maestro himself weaves through 1460 words in 5 minutes and 38 seconds. This elevates the average to a staggering 4.31 words per second. The pinnacle of verbal velocity is reached in a mere 15-second burst, where Eminem catapults through 97 words, achieving an unprecedented 6.46 words per second— that’s considered supersonic speed.
Largest living animal alive
In the grand tapestry of Earth's inhabitants, the top 10 largest living animals all share a common habitat—the vast expanses of our oceans. Unsurprisingly, each spot on this size chart is claimed by whales, with the reigning champion being the magnificent Blue Whale. The Blue Whale, the heavyweight of the marine world, holds the record for the largest living animal. At a staggering maximum recorded weight of 190 tonnes (190,000 kilograms) and a length of 27.6 meters, these colossal beings gracefully navigate the ocean depths. Notably, larger individuals, measuring up to 33.6 meters in length, have been documented, but their weights remain uncharted. The sheer size of these majestic creatures poses a logistical challenge—there's currently no scale capable of accommodating the entire body weight of a large whale. Consequently, most measurements are derived from weighing various parts of these oceanic giants. Venturing beyond the ocean waves, the title of the largest land-dwelling animal goes to the African Elephant. On average, these majestic creatures tip the scales at around 6 tonnes (6,000 kilograms). The weightiest individual on record boasts a remarkable 10.4 tonnes (104,000 kilograms), showcasing the immense power and presence that define these gentle giants of the savannah.
Outro
As we wrap up this episode of the podcast, I’d like to thank you all for joining me today and listening to these 6 curiosities. If you enjoyed the episode, share it with someone who would like it as well and feel free to send us an email or leave a comment with your feedback. Also remember, the world is filled with amazing facts waiting to be discovered through our curious lens. Until next time, stay curious and keep seeking knowledge - with me, your host - here on Curio6yx.