Facts You Didn't Know
Fun Facts About Mold, Matches, and the Dead Sea
Discover what mold really is, who invented matches, and where the lowest place on Earth can be found
(photo: shutterstock)What Is Mold?
Ever opened a bag of bread and found green or fuzzy white spots? Most of us quickly say, “Yuck, it’s spoiled!” But what exactly is mold?
Mold is made of tiny fungi that grow on damp surfaces. Some types of mold are actually helpful and they’re used in medicine, food, and science. But the mold that grows on food often brings bacteria with it, which can make people sick. That’s why moldy food should always be thrown away.
Where Did Matches Come From?
It’s so easy to light a match, just strike it, and you have fire. But where did matches come from?
The first working match was made in the early 1800s by an English chemist named John Walker. He used a small wooden stick with a special mixture of white phosphorus and sulfur that could light by rubbing it on almost anything. But these matches were dangerous and could catch fire too easily.
In 1855, two brothers named Carl and Johan Lindström improved the match and made it much safer, more like the matches we use today.
What’s the Lowest Place on Earth?
The lowest spot on Earth (without digging into the ground) is right here in Israel at the Dead Sea. It sits 424 meters below sea level.
The water is so salty that fish can’t live in it, but the area has many special benefits. The air has extra oxygen, which helps people with breathing problems. And the black mud from the sea is famous for helping with skin and joint issues.
