Surprising Facts About Smell, Fiber Optics, and Flowers

What Does It Mean to Be Nose-Deaf?

Most of us know what it’s like to have trouble hearing or seeing. But fewer people are aware that some people lose their sense of smell. This condition is called anosmia. A person who can’t smell is sometimes called “nose-deaf.”

Anosmia can be total or partial and some people can’t smell anything, and others can only smell certain things. It can also be temporary or permanent. For example, a regular cold can cause you to lose your sense of smell for a little while, and it usually comes back when you feel better. But for some people, anosmia doesn’t go away.

Who Invented Fiber Optics?

Today, fiber optics, thin glass threads that carry light are used in phones, the internet, and more. The idea first came from a Chinese scientist named Charles Kao in 1966. He explained how light and data could travel long distances through these special fibers, and that this would be better than the old copper wires. In 1970, an American company called Corning built the first fiber optics based on Kao’s idea.

Where Is the World’s Largest Flower Garden?

The Netherlands is famous for its love of flowers, so it makes sense that the biggest flower garden in the world is there. The Keukenhof Gardens, near the city of Lisse and about half an hour from Amsterdam, stretches across 320 square meters!