640/701
Sklar’s “producer switch” lets him satisfy requests without changes.

Session bassist Leland Sklar added a “producer switch” to his bass—a non-functional switch that he flips when producers ask for a different sound. This trick, which lets him keep playing unchanged, has saved him from many difficult conversations.

639/701
Inventor hired “decoy shoppers” to popularize early shopping carts’ convenience.

Shopping cart inventor Sylvan Goldman initially hired “decoy shoppers” to use his invention in stores, helping customers see the cart’s convenience, as it didn’t catch on right away.

638/701
Ethiopia’s Battle of Adwa prevented Italian colonization, preserving independence.

Ethiopia is the only African country without an independence day, as it resisted colonization. The nation’s sovereignty was secured at the 1896 Battle of Adwa, where Ethiopian forces under Emperor Menelik II defeated Italian invaders, becoming a global symbol of anti-colonial resilience.

638/701
The Australian theme for Outback Steakhouse was influenced by the movie Crocodile Dundee to evoke the rugged charm of Australia.

Outback Steakhouse was inspired by the film “Crocodile Dundee.” The founders, who had never visited Australia, created an Aussie-themed restaurant to capture the rugged and carefree image of Australian culture.

637/701
Boredom rooms demoralize workers until they voluntarily resign.

The “boredom room” is a strategy used in countries with strong labor laws like France and Japan. Employees are moved to other departments where they do meaningless work, making them feel demoralized until they resign.

636/701
Beach air’s scent is due to bacteria releasing dimethyl sulfide.

The fresh, salty smell of beach air comes from dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a gas released by bacteria as they break down organic matter in the ocean.

635/701
EU banned U.S. chicken over chlorine washing for safety.

Chicken produced in the U.S. has been banned in the EU since 1997 due to the practice of washing it in chlorine to kill bacteria. This method is widely used in the U.S. because of concerns over hygiene in abattoirs, but the EU prefers preventive measures throughout the production process rather than chemical treatments at the end.

634/701
Maggie Smith filmed Harry Potter while battling breast cancer.

Maggie Smith battled breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy while filming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Despite her health struggles, she pushed through to finish filming, determined not to let down her fans.

633/701
About 30% of Japan’s population resides in Tokyo’s metro area.

Around one-third of Japan’s population lives in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, which is home to approximately 37 million people.

632/701
Iceberg lettuce is 96% water, offering hydration but minimal nutrition.

Iceberg lettuce, with 96% water content, provides limited nutrients, offering only trace amounts of vitamins and minerals, making it a less nutrient-dense option.

631/701
In 2018, Italy imposed fines on Apple and Samsung for slowing down their phones with software updates.

In 2018, Italy fined Apple €10 million and Samsung €5 million for releasing software updates that slowed their phones, encouraging new purchases.