Author Archives: John Pullen

Today, there are about 7,000 different languages in use around the world. Without it, we would find it almost impossible to communicate and our history would be very different. English and Chinese Mandarin are the two languages used by the greatest number of people. However, it is likely that over time, this number is probablyContinue reading “Who Spoke First?”

This is a story of a man found dead on the 1st of December 1948. He was lying against a sea wall on Somerton Beach in Adelaide, Australia. He was well-dressed in a suit and had no obvious cause of death. His age was estimated to be around 45 years of age. Searching his clothesContinue reading “The Tamam Shud Mystery”

This is not so much about video or virtual reality games, but those that do not have to be plugged in or insert batteries to begin to play. With this in mind, there are thousands of such games, many of which have long histories. Chess is a good example and we shall look at thisContinue reading “How to Win at Games”

Take a moment and think back to your earliest memory. When you have one which you believe is the earliest, ask yourself what age you were at that time. This will vary between individuals but it is often around the age of three and a half years old. That is what has been the beliefContinue reading “How Far Back Can You Remember?”

One of the most recognisable animals on this planet is the giraffe. With its long legs and equally long necks, they are acknowledged as the tallest animal in the world. Males reach a height of 18 feet and a weight of 3,000 lbs whilst females come in at 14 feet and a weight of 1,500Continue reading “The Secret World of Giraffes”

I have to say straight away that I am not a gambler or card player and I have never played poker in my life. But that does not mean that I am interested in one possible historical story which has survived through time to be a selection of cards in poker which is called theContinue reading “Who Held the Dead Man’s Hand?”