Skip to content
I Learned This Today
  • List of articles
  • Random article
  • About me
  • Contact
  • The Book Series
  • Categories
I Learned This Today
  • List of articles
  • Random article
  • About me
  • Contact
  • The Book Series
  • Categories

#1838 Why are some elements rarer than others?

October 19, 2026 / Leave a Comment

Why are some elements rarer than others? Some elements are rarer than others because lighter elements are easier to make, and heavier elements require a huge amount of energy. Also, elements with even atomic numbers are more common than those with odd numbers. And some elements are destroyed inside stars. This is an interesting question

#1838 Why are some elements rarer than others? Read More »

#1837 Why did executioners live on the edge of town?

October 18, 2026 / Leave a Comment

Why did executioners live on the edge of town? Executioners were forced to live on the edge of town for the rather odd reason that, even though they were killing legally for the state, they were considered to be unclean. The practice of executing people has probably existed for as long as people have lived

#1837 Why did executioners live on the edge of town? Read More »

#1836 What is a salt tax?

October 17, 2026 / Leave a Comment

What is a salt tax? A salt tax is a tax that has been levied on salt. It is one of the oldest taxes in the world. The governments or nobles that control people have always needed money to do it. They need money to build monuments, wage wars, and manage the country. That money

#1836 What is a salt tax? Read More »

#1835 When was the automatic door invented?

October 16, 2026 / Leave a Comment

When was the automatic door invented? The first known automatic door was described nearly 2,000 years ago by Hero of Alexandria. It was designed to make the doors of a small temple magically open when a fire was lit on an altar. Electronic automatic doors were invented so waiters could more easily carry food through.

#1835 When was the automatic door invented? Read More »

#1834 Why is Dick Turpin so famous?

October 15, 2026 / Leave a Comment

Why is Dick Turpin so famous? He started to become famous during his life, but his real fame came through books written long after his death. He was not the person he is thought to be today. If you are not from the UK, you have probably never heard of Dick Turpin. If you are

#1834 Why is Dick Turpin so famous? Read More »

#1833 Can gravity be used as a source of energy?

October 13, 2026 / Leave a Comment

Can gravity be used as a source of energy? No, gravity cannot be used as a source of energy. Gravity can be used to convert stored potential energy into useful energy, but gravity in itself is only a way of storing energy. Gravity isn’t the stored energy. Gravity can provide a force that can be

#1833 Can gravity be used as a source of energy? Read More »

#1832 What caused “The Troubles” in Ireland?

October 12, 2026 / Leave a Comment

What caused “The Troubles” in Ireland? “The Troubles” in Ireland had many causes that spanned centuries. I am going to look at four of the main causes today. These are the centuries of religious and political division, the partition of Ireland in 1921, the civil rights protests of the 1960s, and the escalating violence. The

#1832 What caused “The Troubles” in Ireland? Read More »

#1831 Where does the Scottish accent come from?

October 11, 2026 / Leave a Comment

Where does the Scottish accent come from? Scottish accents developed over centuries as different languages spread across Scotland and influenced the way people spoke. They vary from town to town, just like any other country. The Scottish accent has a few features that are instantly recognizable. It is a rhotic accent for one. That means

#1831 Where does the Scottish accent come from? Read More »

#1830 What is quantum tunneling?

October 10, 2026 / Leave a Comment

What is quantum tunneling? Quantum tunneling is a phenomenon where an electron or an atom can pass through an energy barrier without having enough energy to get through it. To get through barriers, energy is usually required. A brick wall is a barrier. If I want to get through that wall I need to have

#1830 What is quantum tunneling? Read More »

#1829 How can we measure the depth of the ocean?

October 9, 2026 / Leave a Comment

How can we measure the depth of the ocean? There are several ways to measure the depth of the ocean. You can use a weight on a piece of rope, sonar, or radar and satellites. Oceans cover roughly 70.8% of the Earth’s surface. They range from a depth of millimeters at the shores, down to

#1829 How can we measure the depth of the ocean? Read More »

1 2 … 184 Next →

Get the app: Apple version here Android version coming soon

Like these articles? You can support it by buying me a coffee. I love coffee.

I learned this today

I am addicted to finding stuff out. I believe I can find the answer to any question I have.  So, I do. Every day. And the journey has enriched my life. From “when was sliced bread invented?” to “what is the Fermi Paradox?” If you are like me and believe we should try to answer all of our own questions, then come along.  Come and find out with me. You won’t regret it.

Get The Books!


Volumes 1, 2, 3, combo and 4, 5, 6 combo! Kindle download!
325 questions in each!!  Only $4.99 each
Get them here

Copyright © 2026 I Learned This Today | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme