25 awesome things you've probably heard about but are unlikely to see
There are loads of things that we learn about at school or in the news, but which we'll never have the good fortune to see with our own eyes. They may be too fragile, expensive, precious, one of a kind or even 'top secret'! We can trawl the internet for images, but the world has so many 'hidden gems' that it can become an endless quest...
We've selected 26 awesome things that you may know about, but will probably never get to see!
1. The Gutenberg Bible
© wikipedia.org
Also known as the 42-line Bible, the Mazarin Bible or the B42, this is one of the first Bibles to be printed in Europe. It was printed and published by Johannes Gutenberg in the early 1450's.
Historians believe 185 copies were produced: 150 on paper and 35 on parchment. Only 48 copies remain today and only a few of them are complete.
2. Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco Bay
This world-famous prison is a maximum high-security penitentiary. You'll hear its name everywhere - novels, history texts, movies, TV shows... The island is open to visitors (like most former prisons) and it's a remarkable landscape - for example, the prison buildings are far more recent than their appearance suggests.
3. The Dark Side of the Moon
© wikipedia.org
No, we're not talking about Pink Floyd's classic album, but the far side of the moon, something that's impossible to see from Earth. Thanks to modern technology, satellites have been able to photograph its surface, which includes two maria or 'seas' - the Sea of Muscovy and the Sea of Dreams. It's also dotted with craters, including the two largest ones found on the Moon.
4. Deep Blue, the IBM super computer that beat Kasparov at chess
Who hasn't heard of Garry Kasparov, the unbeatable chess master who remained unbeaten until 1997? When he finally lost his crown it was to... A computer! This remarkable feat caused a certain amount of paranoia regarding the power of robots as well as apocalyptic theories about machines taking over the world - a subject that's back in fashion with the invention of 'intelligent' technology.
5. A plastic liter bottle before it's filled with liquid
No, your eyes aren't playing tricks - this is a plastic liter bottle before it's heated, inflated and filled!
6. The Mona Lisa
© chbm89
Also known as 'La Gioconda', this Leonardo de Vinci masterpiece is smaller than you think... It only measures 30 x 21 inches!
7. Brick road-laying machines
The downside is that this machine will put brick layers out of work, but in terms of cutting edge technology, this amazing machine can lay a road in one fell swoop!
8. A simultaneous sunrise and sunset
If you think that solar eclipses are rare, then be prepared for a simultaneous sunrise and sunset. It's one of the rarest sights on Earth and a real jaw-dropper!
9. An appendix
© chanawit
Appendix operations are a routine procedure, but how many of us really know what it looks like or even its purpose? This tube-like body part is connected to the caecum (the junction between the small and large intestines) and looks like a big, red worm. It's roughly four inches long and about a quarter of an inch in diameter. It can become inflamed - something that requires immediate treatment.
10. Shedded snake skin
As snakes grow, they shed their skin. The dead 'sheath' is called an ecdysis, although it's extremely rare to find a whole one.
11. Penates
Penates were household deities worshipped by the Etruscans and Romans. Occupants would construct storerooms (also called penates) in their homes where these deities would guard food and other supplies. Most homes had 2 penates and frescoes or other paraphernalia dedicated to these gods.
12. Underfloor heating
Here's a photo of underfloor heating - the perfect way to keep warm and cozy during winter months!
13. A million colors
Believe it or not, this image contains a million colors. How? Because each pixel is a different color!
14. The Mexican border on the Algodones Dunes
A 'wall' does exist to prevent Mexican migrants from reaching the USA. In order to cut costs, the Algodones Dunes' barrier follows the dunes' natural topography.
15. Pekin Chicken
Pekin chickens are bantams - a breed of miniature chicken - that have distinctive curly feathers and a docile nature!
16. The Hang Nga Guesthouse AKA 'The Crazy House'
wikipedia.org
This remarkable house is in Dalat, Vietnam. It looks like a massive tree stump covered in mushrooms and animal skins. It also has caves and a giant spider's web!
17. Car Cemeteries
There are millions of unsold, second hand or abandoned cars around the world, often grouped into 'car cemeteries'. Something for the urban explorers amongst you!
18. Lightning bolts
Seeing lightning in the sky is common, but getting up close to a flash is something else. This tourist not only had the surprise of his life when lightning struck right next to him, but also managed to take a photo!
19. A Crowned Eagle's claws
These eagles are the last remaining members of the Stephanoaetus family. These birds of prey can be highly dangerous due to their razor-sharp claws and incredible strength.
20. A newly-hatched eaglet
Here's a newly-hatched eaglet - all it needs to do now is grow up to be a powerful predator!
21. The most expensive metal in the world
Radioactive californium is the most expensive metal in the world - 1g costs more than $22.7 million!
22. The darkest material in the world
Ever heard of Vantablack? Its name refers to 'vertically aligned nano tube arrays' and it's capable of trapping 99% of light. This carbon-based, artificial material can be molded into 2D or 3D objects and comes in solid, liquid or spray form. This remarkable material was invented by Surrey Nanosystems in 2012.
23. Rubber tire leftovers
After motor racing - Dragster races in particular - the course needs to be cleaned of rubber. Here's a pile of tire remnants after a race!
24. Point Nemo
This oceanic 'pole of inaccessibility' is the exact point in the South Pacific Ocean that is the farthest place on Earth from land. It's named after the famous literary character Captain Nemo.
25. Zone 6
Everyone's heard of Zone 51 in Nevada, but Zone 6 remains even more shrouded in secrecy. Located near to Las Vegas, the US government only admitted its existence 3 years' ago. This base is apparently used for aerial and nuclear testing.
By Straker Julia
Writer
Passionate about writing, I write articles on the subjects that I love. Creativity and Animals themes are my favorites!
