Finn Oakley has spent over five years as a nature and science writer at Discvr.Blog, drawing on his experience at National Geographic Channel. Based in Melbourne, he’s passionate about uncovering the world’s mysteries, dreams of returning to Peru, and enjoys Aussie Bites in his downtime.
When Gustave Eiffel and French designers Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier unveiled their groundbreaking concept for the Eiffel Tower in the 1880s, the Parisian artistic community wasn’t impressed.
Intellectuals like Charles Garnier and Guy de Maupassant criticized it as an eyesore, igniting the infamous “Artists Against the Eiffel Tower” petition.
The Original Eiffel Tower Designs
Koechlin and Nouguier drafted the initial sketches and even compared their tower to landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, also built by Gustave Eiffel, for perspective.
Among 14 rejected designs, the third resembled the final tower, complete with embellished lower-tier trusses.
Maurice Koechlin’s first drawing of the Eiffel Tower
Saved by its Critics
After serving as the grand entrance to the 1889 Exposition Universelle, which celebrated the French Revolution’s 100th anniversary, the tower’s fate remained uncertain. Paris officials considered demolition. However, when World War I broke out, the same artists who had originally criticized the tower recognized its value as a radio communication tool and rallied to save it.
Equipped with radio transmitters, the tower served as a wireless communications hub for the French military, helping to intercept enemy messages and coordinate troop movements. Its pivotal role in secure communications during the war convinced authorities of its enduring utility, leading to its preservation.
Rejected designs for the Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower’s opening date
Opened on March 31, 1889, the Eiffel Tower set new engineering benchmarks. Composed of over 18,000 iron pieces and held together by 2.5 million rivets, it stood 330 meters tall. Gustave Eiffel applied groundbreaking techniques to combat wind resistance, securing the tower’s structural integrity for years to come.
It’s hard to envision modern Paris without its signature landmark. Interestingly, Gustave Eiffel never intended for the structure to remain indefinitely. It took on unintended permanence after the World War as a technology utility, thereby shifting public sentiment and preserving it.
Today, the Eiffel Tower symbolizes human ingenuity and adaptability, evolving from a contentious project to a universally revered icon.
The Eiffel Tower, as it stands today, is a timeless design
Originally posted May 5, 2020, and updated August 29, 2023.
An eye patch, a parrot, a wooden leg, and a limp; these iconic attributes paint the picture of a pirate in popular culture. However, there’s more to the eye patch than meets the eye—quite literally. Contrary to common belief, famous pirates didn’t wear an eye patch due to a missing eye. Instead, it served a crucial tactical purpose: enhancing their sight in low-lit environments.
Eye Patches: Early technology to combat temporary blindness
Pirates often had to navigate rapidly changing light conditions during their seafaring escapades. From the glaring sun on the open sea to the dim candlelight below deck, pirates always required optimal vision. The eye patch served as an ingenious solution to this dilemma.
By covering one eye with a patch, a pirate essentially ‘trained’ that eye to adjust to darkness. Flipping up the patch would allow the pirate to instantly see when descending below deck or entering dark spaces, avoiding the temporary blindness most people experience when moving from a bright to dark environment.
During raids, pirates needed the ability to flip up the eye patch so they could quickly snag a cannonball below the deck of the ship.
Famous pirates who wore eye patches
In the rich lore of pirate eye patches, some notorious figures actively sported this dark cloth over one eye. Here are a few:
Blackbeard (Edward Teach): Although not definitively documented, tales suggest that even Blackbeard utilized an eye patch to better his vision in varying light conditions.
Anne Bonny: A woman pirate who broke gender barriers, Anne Bonny’s story also mentions an eye patch, emphasizing its importance in pirate life.
Bartholomew Roberts: Also known as Black Bart, he was one of the most successful pirates. The use of an eye patch may have enhanced his strategic brilliance.
These pirates were feared and respected and tactical geniuses in their own right. The eye patch was a simple yet effective tool that helped them maintain an edge during high-stakes, high-seas exploits.
Blackbeard (Edward Teach)
Famous fictitious pirates with eye patches
Eye patches have made a significant mark in the captivating world of pirate lore, where fact often melds with fiction. Fictitious pirates wearing eye patches have graced the pages of novels and appeared on screens big and small. Though not real, these characters keep the myth and romance of piratical eye patches alive in popular culture. Here are some famous fictitious pirates who have donned the iconic accessory:
Long John Silver: A central character in Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island,” Long John Silver has often been depicted with an eye patch in various adaptations, emphasizing the allure and mystery of pirate life.
Captain Hook: While the original Captain Hook in J.M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan” didn’t wear an eye patch, many adaptations have added this feature to enhance his villainous persona.
Patchy the Pirate: Featured in the children’s show “SpongeBob SquarePants,” Patchy the Pirate proudly sports an eye patch, showing that this iconic pirate accessory transcends generations and continues to be a staple in modern storytelling.
Do modern-day pirates still wear eye patches?
Modern-day piracy, particularly in regions like the Gulf of Aden, the Strait of Malacca, and off the coast of Nigeria, is more about organized crime and less about the swashbuckling characters romanticized in history and fiction. The perpetrators often use advanced technology, including GPS and high-powered weaponry, rather than adopting the stereotypical pirate attire of yore.
As spacesuit design continues to become thinner, more intricate, and more dynamic — there are touchscreen-sensitive gloves, an attached helmet, and built-in ventilation in the latest uniform — it’s worth looking at how both US and Russian spacesuits have evolved over time.
Start by looking at the original suit (the Marshmallow Moon-Suit) designed for the moon mission above, which was licensed to Mattel for toys, then check out the diagram detailing the history of suits below.
We still like the simplicity and balance of the Apollo A7-L EVA but the blue Apollo A5-L suit is also ace.
via Twitter
Naturally, there will be variations of spacesuit design especially as other companies invest into the future. For example, SpaceX is already working on its own version (see images below) while other patents, like an auto-return home button, should the astronauts become untethered, are also in development.
Who created the space suit?
Engineers, scientists, and designers collaboratively developed the modern space suit, which has seen multiple iterations since space exploration began. In the 1960s, the American company B.F. Goodrich created the first operational space suits for NASA’s Mercury program, basing their designs on those of NASA engineer Russell Colley.
For the Apollo missions, ILC Dover, then a division of Playtex, developed the A7L suits. These suits, tailored for the lunar environment, enabled astronauts like Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to walk on the moon.
In Russia, space suit development kicked off seriously in the 1960s. Yuri Gagarin wore the SK-1 suit during the first crewed spaceflight.
Are spacesuits hot, and how do they work?
Space suits are marvels of engineering designed to provide a livable environment for astronauts in extreme space conditions. They are not hot in the traditional sense; rather, they are built with thermal control systems to regulate the astronaut’s body temperature.
Temperature Control: Space suits have built-in ventilation systems and liquid cooling garments that circulate temperature-controlled water around the body to regulate heat.
Layers: Modern space suits consist of multiple layers, including thermal ones, to provide insulation against extreme temperatures. Space can be both extremely hot when exposed to direct sunlight and incredibly cold in the shade.
Pressure Garment: Suits maintain a stable pressure around the astronaut, protecting them from the vacuum of space. This also prevents bodily fluids from boiling at the low pressures found in space.
Oxygen Supply: Space suits have a life-support system to provide oxygen for breathing and to remove carbon dioxide and moisture.
Mobility: Although quite bulky, the suits are designed to facilitate various movements, including walking, bending, and grasping objects.
What are the different spacesuit layers?
Layer Name
Function and Features
Outer Layer
Serves as a shield against micrometeoroids. The first line of defense against harsh space conditions.
Thermal Layer
Designed for insulation, it protects astronauts from extreme temperatures, both hot and cold.
Pressure Garment
Stabilizes the internal environment of the suit, counteracting the vacuum of space and preventing bodily fluids from boiling.
Comfort Layer
The innermost layer, closest to the astronaut’s skin. Equipped with temperature-regulating features for optimal comfort.
Spacesuit history: Mission and key features
Spacesuit Name
Mission(s) Flown
Key Features and Notes
Mercury Suit
Mercury Program (1961-1963)
Developed by B.F. Goodrich; relatively simple pressure suit
Gemini Suit
Gemini Program (1965-1966)
Improved mobility; allowed for spacewalks
A7L
Apollo Missions (1969-1972)
Created by ILC Dover; enabled moon landings; first to use PLSS
Sokol Suit
Soyuz Missions (1973-Present)
Russian design; worn during launch, reentry, and docking
Orlan Suit
Various Russian Missions (1977-Present)
Russian design; allows for spacewalks; semi-reusable
Shuttle EMU
Space Shuttle Missions (1981-2011)
Modular design; multiple spacewalks possible; built by ILC Dover
ACES
Space Shuttle (1994-2011)
Known as the “pumpkin suit”; used for launch and reentry
Z-1
Testing Phase
NASA’s prototype for next-gen planetary suits; highly flexible
Z-2
Testing Phase
Follow-up to Z-1; enhanced durability and functionality
xEMU
Planned for Artemis Missions
Next-gen lunar exploration suit; enhanced mobility and life support
via Twitter
Originally posted April 10, 2020, and updated on August 27, 2023.
America’s diverse landscapes are home to an array of wildlife, including four magnificent species of eagles. These birds of prey exhibit strength, grace, and keen eyesight. Here’s an insight into the four types of eagles found in America:
1. Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
The Bald Eagle, America’s national bird, is renowned for its distinctive white head and tail. It’s primarily found near rivers, lakes, and coastal regions. Conservation efforts have led to a resurgence in its population, and it’s an awe-inspiring sight for bird enthusiasts.
Habitat: Coastal regions, rivers, and lakes
Diet: Fish, small mammals
Conservation Status: Least Concern
2. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
Known for its golden-brown plumage and powerful beak, the Golden Eagle symbolizes majesty. It inhabits the mountainous and open-country regions of North America.
Habitat: Mountains, hills, open country
Diet: Small mammals, birds, carrion
Conservation Status: Least Concern
3. Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja)
The Harpy Eagle, found in the tropical rainforests of South America, extends into Central America. It is one of the world’s giant and robust eagles, equipped with talons that can quickly grasp prey.
Habitat: Tropical rainforests
Diet: Sloths, monkeys, and other arboreal creatures
Conservation Status: Near Threatened
4. Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway)
The Crested Caracara, often called the ‘Mexican Eagle,’ belongs to the falcon family, even though it’s not an actual eagle. You can find it in open and semi-open regions of the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America.
Habitat: Open fields, prairies
Diet: Carrion, small mammals, reptiles
Conservation Status: Least Concern
America’s eagles represent strength, beauty, and the vast diversity of the continent’s wildlife. Their unique characteristics and adaptability to different habitats make them a symbol of natural grandeur. Continued conservation efforts are essential to preserve these magnificent birds for future generations to admire. Always consult local regulations and guidelines if you plan to observe these eagles in their natural habitat.
Overview of each American Eagle’s habitat, diet, and conservation status
Did you know that we shed different types of tears based on our emotions? Far from simple expressions of sadness or joy, tears are a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. Each tear type is composed of unique chemicals — mainly salt, water, and lysozyme — that give them their variable structure.
Three Types of Tears
There are three main types of tears:
Basal Tears: These keep our eyes moist and provide necessary lubrication.
Reflex Tears: These are caused by irritants such as smoke or dust and contain significantly more antibodies.
Emotional Tears: These are linked to feelings such as happiness, sadness, frustration, or stress and have a unique chemical composition.
Cleanses eye; contains antibodies to fight irritants
Emotional Tears
Salt, water, lysozyme, leucine enkephalin
Emotions (e.g., sadness, happiness, stress)
Acts as a natural painkiller; fosters social bonding
Emotional Tears: Nature’s Painkiller
According to scientist Claire Phillips, tears of grief contain the neurotransmitter leucine enkephalin, which helps relieve the body in times of stress. In such a way, our tear ducts can act as a natural painkiller.
The Healing Power of Tears
There’s a biological and evolutionary reason we feel better shedding tears after experiencing a traumatic event. Crying can be cathartic, allowing us to release pent-up emotions. Moreover, tears can signal to others our need for support, fostering social bonds and empathy.
The Role of Tears in Human Evolution
Some experts believe that the act of crying has evolved as a social tool, helping to forge connections between individuals. Emotional tears are exclusive to humans and may have played a significant role in our social development.
Tears are more than mere salt, water, and lysozyme; they are intricate expressions of our emotions, health, and social connections. By shedding light on the different types of tears and the natural painkiller found in emotional tears, we realize how fascinating and essential these tiny droplets are to our lives.
Add the Tasmanian Giant Crab (Pseudocarcinus gigas) to one of the animals you’ll want to see in person one day.
The crab’s immense size and un(stealthy) appearance make it a captivating sight for animal lovers and fishermen alike. But where does one buy Tasmanian Giant Crab? Read on to find out.
How big is the Tasmanian Giant Crab?
The Tasmanian Giant Crab ranks fifth among the world’s largest crabs. It can weigh up to 39 lbs and measure up to 18 inches in shell length.
Additionally, one of the claws is significantly larger than the other. The asymmetry makes the crab appear even more massive than its body.
The size of this colossal crustacean is genuinely astounding. By all means, just look at it held by adult humans!
The massive crab is hard to miss with its large black pincers that resemble those of Edward Scissorhands. In fact, the crab itself is bigger than most 2-year-olds, making it a rather imposing figure in its underwater world.
Not surprisingly, the male crabs use their sharp shears to catch and crush prey and outcompete each other for resources.
Where to find and buy the Tasmanian Giant Crab
This monstrous “king” of crabs calls the deep, muddy ocean waters of Southern Australia home. As Sydney, Australia-based chef Dan Hong tells well-known travel vlogger Mark Wiens, “these you can’t get anywhere else around the world.”
The depth of its habitat, at 460–885 feet, makes encountering this beast in the wild no easy feat. Since 1992, fishers have been targeting this prized catch in Tasmanian waters, causing concern for its sustainability. In fact, buying a whole Tasmanian Giant Crab costs hundreds of dollars at $88 per pound.
Tasmanian Giant Crab for sale
This specifies the price range per pound for the Tasmanian giant crabs:
Finding one of the world’s biggest crabs is just the first step. 🦀 Did you know? The giant crab you just read about isn’t the only behemoth of the deep. Read my next article to ensure you know the other top-largest crabs in the world.
Thresher sharks are some of the ocean’s most captivating and elusive creatures. People mainly recognize thresher sharks for their unique and intimidating appearance, especially their long tails. But what about the size of thresher sharks? What do they eat, and are they a threat to humans? Let’s delve into these details.
What is a Thresher Shark?
Thresher sharks belong to the Alopiidae family, encompassing three distinct species: common, bigeye, and pelagic. You can predominantly find thresher sharks in both coastal and open oceans.
The Faces of Thresher Sharks
In addition to their iconic tails, thresher sharks’ faces are also intriguing. They possess large eyes, especially the bigeye thresher, enabling them to detect prey in low-light conditions. Their moderately long snout and curved mouth contribute to their distinctive look and predatory habits.
The Size of Thresher Sharks
The thresher shark’s size is truly remarkable, with variations existing between different species:
Common Thresher: 10 to 20 feet.
Bigeye Thresher: 11 to 15 feet.
Pelagic Thresher: 9 to 10 feet.
The tail constitutes about half the shark’s total length, making it an astonishing anatomical feature.
Teeth Size and Diet
Thresher sharks possess small, sharp teeth, usually measuring about 0.2 inches (5 mm) in length. The thresher sharks use their small, sharp teeth, measuring about 0.2 inches (5 mm) in length, for grasping rather than tearing. These teeth perfectly adapt to the thresher sharks‘ diet of small to medium-sized fish such as mackerel, herring, anchovies, squid, and other marine invertebrates.
Do Thresher Sharks Attack Humans?
Though thresher sharks look imposing, they don’t pose a significant threat to humans. They are generally shy and actively avoid human interaction. Thresher sharks have not caused any confirmed fatalities, and incidents with humans are extremely rare.
Conservation Efforts
Understanding thresher sharks’ size, diet, and habits is essential for their conservation. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified them as vulnerable, and there are ongoing efforts to safeguard these fantastic animals against overfishing and loss of habitat.
Summing up the size of Thresher Sharks
The thresher shark’s size, small teeth, unique diet, and non-aggressive behavior toward humans, coupled with their fascinating facial features, make them a mesmerizing subject of marine study. Continued research and conservation efforts are crucial in preserving these majestic ocean inhabitants’ intrigue and natural beauty.
Nestled within the heart of Kentucky, USA, lies Mammoth Cave, an underground sensation that has captured the interest of explorers, geologists, and tourists alike. The question often arises: Is Mammoth Cave the largest cave in the world? Let’s delve into the facts to uncover the truth.
Mammoth Cave Overview
Mammoth Cave boasts a staggering length of over 400 miles of surveyed passages, making it the longest-known cave system globally. Its extensive labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, and subterranean pathways has earned it the title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Amazingly, the park projects an additional 600 miles that could exist within its cave system.
The cave system has unique geological features, including vast chambers, narrow canyons, and intricate flowstone formations. The diverse ecosystem within the cave also supports rare and endangered species.
The Formation of Mammoth Cave
The formation of Mammoth Cave is a geological story that spans millions of years. The process began approximately 325 million years ago in the Mississippian Period, with limestone deposition. Over time, this limestone layer became buried beneath layers of sandstone and shale.
Water drove the cave’s formation process. Rainwater, absorbing carbon dioxide from the air and soil and becoming slightly acidic, seeped into the ground. It dissolved the limestone, creating tiny cracks. Over millennia, these cracks widened into the passages, chambers, and tunnels that make up the cave system we see today.
The sandstone and shale layers served as a protective cap, preventing the complete dissolution of the limestone beneath. This combination of geological conditions enabled the intricate network of Mammoth Cave to develop, a rare phenomenon contributing to its immense size.
Even today, the formation process continues, with water still shaping and changing the cave, reflecting its dynamic and ever-evolving nature.
Comparing Mammoth Cave to Other Caves
Mammoth Cave holds the record for the longest cave system, but other dimensions, such as depth or volume, can also measure size. Other caves may surpass Mammoth Cave when considering these metrics.
Son Doong Cave, Vietnam: Known for being the largest cave passage by volume, this magnificent cave’s main chamber extends over 3.1 miles long, 656 feet high, and 492 feet wide.
Krubera Cave, Georgia: the deepest cave, plunging over 1.36 miles. It’s a vertical cave and provides a contrasting experience to the sprawling horizontal expanse of Mammoth Cave.
Mammoth Cave holds an impressive and unchallenged title as the world’s longest cave system. However, size must be measured in various ways. Although not the largest in every aspect, Mammoth Cave’s unique geological features and rich biodiversity make it a standout wonder in cave exploration.
Visiting this astonishing natural wonder offers an opportunity to experience a piece of Earth’s hidden majesty. The comprehensive cave tours provide insight into the history, geology, and unique ecosystem, making Mammoth Cave a record-holder and an unforgettable adventure for all who venture within its depths.
Whether measured by length, volume, or depth, the world’s caves fascinate and challenge our understanding of the planet’s hidden landscapes. But for now, Mammoth Cave’s unrivaled length remains its defining claim to fame.
10 amazing facts about Mammoth Cave as described in the post:
Location: Mammoth Cave is located in Kentucky, USA, and has become an underground sensation for explorers and tourists.
Longest Cave System: With over 400 miles of surveyed passages, it holds the record as the longest-known cave system globally.
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Its extensive network of tunnels and chambers has earned Mammoth Cave the esteemed title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Unique Geological Features: The cave boasts vast chambers, narrow canyons, and intricate flowstone formations.
Rich Biodiversity: The cave’s ecosystem supports rare and endangered species.
Formation Spanning Millions of Years: The formation began around 325 million years ago, with limestone deposition, and evolved over time with the addition of sandstone and shale layers.
Formation Driven by Water: Acidic rainwater has shaped the cave, dissolving the limestone and creating its intricate passages, chambers, and tunnels.
Continually Evolving: The cave’s formation process is dynamic and ongoing, reflecting its ever-evolving nature.
Comparison with Other Caves: While the longest, Mammoth Cave may not be the deepest or largest by volume, offering a contrasting experience to other remarkable caves like Son Doong Cave in Vietnam and Krubera Cave in Georgia.
A Memorable Experience: Comprehensive cave tours allow visitors to delve into Mammoth Cave’s history, geology, and ecosystem, making it an unforgettable adventure for all who explore its depths.
An awe-inspiring discovery at New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns National Park revealed a network of “virgin” cave passages and an untouched pool 700 feet below the surface. This finding adds to the mystique of Lechuguilla Cave, one of the ten longest caves in the world.
Lechuguilla Caves’ Special Discovery
In May 2000, geoscientist Max Wisshak led an expedition that mapped out 1.3 miles of passages. They discovered an immaculate pool surrounded by white frosted rock on one journey. Wisshak dubbed the water “crystal clear” because of its isolation from human intervention.
However, Wisshak’s image shows what looks like the white edges of a yogurt canister. The substance is shelfstone, a calcite composition prevalent in locations within Carlsbad Cavern, and forms common cave structures such as stalactites and stalagmites.
“Exploration in caves sometimes yields wondrous sights,” wrote Wisshak on Facebook. “This cave pool, found in Lechuguilla Cave, appears to be completely pristine. The edges beneath this pool appear to be ‘pool fingers’, which could be bacterial colonies that have evolved entirely without human presence.”
He insists that the creaminess is the result of an optical illusion.
The dimensions of the pool are roughly a foot across, two feet in length, and a depth of a few inches, as described by experts. The origin of the water is presumed to be rainfall that penetrated the overlying limestone layer, trickling down the cave walls into the pool’s basin.
Added Rodney Horrocks, Carlsbad Caverns’ Natural and Cultural Resources head, “This pool has been isolated for hundreds of thousands of years and had never seen light before that day.”
What took researchers so long to explore Lechuguilla Caves’ virgin pools?
Only then did adventurers and researchers take the initiative to delve into these hidden passages, unlocking the mysteries within more “virgin” cave pools.
This exploration also opens a new chapter into the microbial organisms that only exist in the Lechuguilla Caves. These microbe species evolved entirely without human presence, providing insights into modern antibiotic resistance.
The Lechuguilla Cave discovery, one of 118 known caves at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, opens doors to further scientific exploration and understanding of our planet’s hidden gems.
More about Lechuguilla Cave
Lechuguilla Cave lies in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, USA, and stands as one of the world’s largest and deepest limestone cave systems. Despite its renown for extraordinary crystal formations and shelfstone deposits, the cave is not open to the general public.
Unique pools, such as the “Lake of Liquid Sky,” host significant microbiological discoveries within the cave. Researchers and spelunkers continue to explore the cave’s complexity and unexplored regions, contributing valuable insights to geology and biosciences.
Lechuguilla Cave’s special discoveries
Date
Expedition Leader
Discovery
Unique Characteristics
May 2000
Max Wisshak
Virgin Cave Pool
Immaculate pool, crystal clear water, white frosted rock
1993
N/A
“Lake of Liquid Sky”
Virgin passages remained untouched until 2000
Ongoing
Various
Microbial organisms
Microbes that evolved without human presence, insights into antibiotic resistance
