History

Learned something new today. Napoleon had his secretary leave all non-urgent mail unopened for three weeks — and most of it resolved itself without him ever touching it.

There’s a productivity concept named after this called the Napoleon Technique, and honestly it just makes sense. Sometimes the best move is to leave something alone and let it sort itself out.

At the end of that time it was unnecessary to reply to four-fifths of these communications. — Bourrienne, Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte

TIL the 1831 London Bridge was moved to Arizona! Built to replace the crumbling medieval bridge, it eventually started sinking itself and was sold in 1968. Having seen the modern replacement in London in 2018, it’s wild to think the “original” stones are now in the US!

I am in awe that people still race Penny Farthings. Every year—including this past February 2026. On purpose. The thing has a giant front wheel, no real brakes, and if you hit a rough patch, you’re going headfirst over the bars — they actually call that a “header.” The World Championship course in Eastbourne is nearly 3 miles uphill. One gear. No brakes. Riders show up in full Victorian kit like it’s totally normal.

The art of riding a high-wheeler is the art of falling gracefully.

Ever wonder why every hotel drawer has a Bible? It started in 1899 when two traveling salesmen shared a room and realized weary travelers needed comfort. By 1908, their group, the Gideons, began placing them worldwide. Check out more wild history facts here.