Undoubtedly, the most curious person in American history must be Thomas Alva Edison, whose curiosity led him to become famous for his undying need to know more – leading to hundreds of useful inventions involving lighting to television.

Rumor has it that he lost his hearing as a child due to an irritated teacher’s hard slap for asking such tiring questions as, “Why is the sky blue?” or “Why is the grass green?”

“Curiosity killed the cat” might be true, but our society is crammed with positive results from people like Edison, who lived by wanting to learn more.

Consider the press which lives by its inevitable questions of “who,” “why,” “where,” “how” and “when.” And pity the person who feels no need to be curious beyond the normal need for simple existence.

But let’s pretend that we really can be curious about the least vital issues in our lives. Lets pause for a moment to consider what we don’t know, yet with a bit of curiosity delve into the barely necessary tidbits of things just for the sake of knowing them.

For example, did you know that the inside of young coconuts can be used as a substitute for blood plasma? And that no piece of paper can be folded in half more than seven times? (Go ahead and try it; I’ll wait.

Meanwhile, did you know that donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes or shark attacks?

Did you realize that you burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television?

…Or that oak trees do not produce acorns until they are 50 years of age or older?

Did you know that the first product to have a bar code was Wrigley’s gum?

…Or that the King of Hearts is the only king without a moustache?

Amazingly, American Airlines saved $40,000 one year by eliminating one olive from each salad served in first class.

Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise.

Apples (and not caffeine) are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.

Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin!

The first owner of the Marlboro Company died of lung cancer.

So did the first poster Marlboro Man.

Walt Disney was afraid of mice!

Pearls melt in vinegar.

The three most valuable brand names on earth are Marlboro, Coca Cola and Budweiser, in that order.

It is possible to lead a cow upstairs, but not downstairs.

A duck’s quack doesn’t echo and no one knows why.

Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least 6 feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from a flush.

And best for last: Turtles can breathe through their butts.