wonderfully unverifiable Wikipedia facts of the day

[eub]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anise
Builders of steam locomotives in Britain incorporated capsules of aniseed oil into white metal bearings, so that the distinctive smell would give warning in case of overheating.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_L%C3%B3pez_de_Santa_Anna
During his time in New York City he is credited as bringing the first shipments of chicle, the base of chewing gum, to the United States, but he failed to profit from this, since his plan was to use the chicle to replace rubber in carriage tires, which was tried without success. The American assigned to aid Santa Anna while he was in the United States, Thomas Adams, conducted experiments with the chicle and called it "Chiclets," which helped found the chewing gum industry.

Comments

[randomdreams.livejournal.com]

I can believe the anise claim. My dad remembered seeing "If you see a HOT BOX call the railroad!" ads in magazines. (A 'hot box' being an overheated wheel bearing on a railcar.)
They used redwood when possible for making bridges and tunnels, in part because it resisted water damage, in part because it didn't burn well, and in part because it creaked and groaned and made all sorts of noises before it broke, giving warning. Other water-resistant, fire-retardant woods just broke.

[eub.livejournal.com]

That's nifty with the redwood.