1
Famed shoe designer Christian Louboutin credits Andy Warhol as being one of his chief inspirations. In fact, the prototype of Louboutin’s signature red-soled heels included a buckle inspired by the Pop artist’s “Flowers” series.
2
Most penguins live far south in frigid Antarctica, but there’s one place on the equator that they also call home—the Galápagos Islands. Scientists believe penguins swam to the islands guided by strong northerly currents and stayed there because of the cold waters and abundance of fish.
Photo: Martin Kolesar is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
3
The darkest known shade of black is “Vantablack,” a pigment developed in 2014 that absorbs 99.965% of light using carbon nanotubes.
Photo Courtesy of Surrey NanoSystems
4
Pennsylvania founder William Penn was a big fan of big dogs, specifically Great Danes. A painting of Penn and his dog hangs in the Governor’s Reception Room of the State Capitol in Harrisburg—and the Great Dane is the official state dog.
Admiral Penn from Violet Oakley’s mural series at the Pennsylvania State Capitol. Photo used courtesy of the Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee and Brian Hunt.
5
Pittsburgh may hold the record for the most bridges of any city, but the tallest bridge in the world is in southern France. The Millau Viaduct stretches 1,104 feet at its highest point.
Photo: Jordi Vich Navarro on Unsplash
