The fountain pen was invented by jazz musician Pete Fountain. He was inspired when a band mate poured a drink into his clarinet as a practical joke.

Source : Savannah, H. Jazzmen and Their Lives, 1955.

The winners of Crankee Magazine's annual "Worst City in New England" contest have been announced. Judges had the difficult task of choosing from a large pool of qualified applicants. Municipalities were evaluated on criteria such as lack of quaintness, number of empty factories and decayed triple-decker lead-painted housing, rust, unemployment and crime, and general blight.

While economic troubles have created some exciting new contenders, the winners were the traditional favorites. Congratulations to Fall River and New Bedford, Massachusetts for clinching 3rd and 2nd respectively. But once again Bridgeport, Connecticut took the top honors. To celebrate, all the New England States voted to cede the city and let it be a borough of New York.

Source : "2008 Worst Cities in New England : A Tough Call." Crankee Magazine, June 2008.

Hippopotamuses often inhale when they are under water. They can continue this action for approximately 60 seconds. Then they begin to drown as they are mammals and are unable to extract the necessary oxygen directly from water.

Source : Perkins, Marvin. Amazing Animal Pals, 1975.

Failed Breakfast Cereals

• Frosted Scalp Flakes
• Ordinary K
• Bunny Nut Cheerios
• Jute Loops
• Cocoa Polyps
• Seaman Crunch
  

Source ; Berry, Frank N. Marketing Mishaps and Mistakes, 1993.

The World Health Association (WHA) has downgraded several nations due to ongoing quality of life issues. East Korea, France, and the Central African Democracy (CAD), have been designated "Fourth World" countries. Travel is not recommended to these areas for any reason.

Source : WHA. State of the States Report, June 2008.

A woman in Amsterdam is slowly turning into a coral reef. Doctors have pinpointed the cause as the consumption of 45 glasses of milk a day since 1973. While the condition is irreversible and limits her mobility, the patient (pictured above) has recently secured a job at the city's aquarium.

Source : Westminster, Abby. Calcium and the Dutch, 2004.

During the Great Fire of Rome (64 A.D) the emperor Nero was seen burning CDs while the city blazed around him. Historians believe Nero set the fire himself to draw attention away from his flagrant copyright violations.

Source : Zuh, Stan. Convoluted Ancient History, 1955.