33 Fun Facts About 33 Colleges - mental_floss on YouTube (Ep.43)

TL;DR

Students at Binghamton University built ramps for salamanders in 1978, the University of Michigan has a squirrel club, and the Boston University bridge can have an airplane drive over a car driving over a train driving over a boat.

Transcript

hi I'm John Green Welcome to My Salon this is Mental Floss on YouTube and did you know that in 1978 students at Binghamton University built ramps for salamanders the migrating Critters kept getting trapped in roads because the curbs were too high for them to climb up and then they would get run over by cars so the students took action and in fact t... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🏭 Universities have unique and interesting facts that go beyond academics and admissions.
• ♣️ Clubs like the squirrel club at the University of Michigan showcase the diverse interests and activities on campus.
• 🤑 Historical buildings and landmarks, like Matthews Arena at Northeastern University, offer a rich cultural and sports history.
• 🎓 Haunted stories and legends around universities add to the campus myths and legends.
• 🍞 Unique traditions, such as throwing toast onto the football field at the University of Pennsylvania, create a sense of community and identity.
• 🎓 Universities often have connections to famous alumni or historical figures, like Janette Ranken haunting the University of Montana.
• 🛀 College campuses often serve as filming locations for movies and television shows, making them even more iconic.
• 🧑‍🎓 Universities prioritize student wellbeing and stress relief, such as providing pet therapy during finals at Rice University.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did students at Binghamton University build ramps for salamanders?

The ramps were built to prevent salamanders from getting trapped on roads and being run over by cars. The curbs were too high for them to climb up, so the ramps were created to help them cross safely.

Q: What is the purpose of the squirrel club at the University of Michigan?

The squirrel club at the University of Michigan has over 400 members and its main goal is to feed squirrels on campus. It is one of the most popular campus clubs at the university.

Q: What makes the Boston University bridge unique?

The Boston University bridge is the only place in the United States where an airplane can fly over a car driving over a train driving over a boat. It is a unique architectural feature and has been compared to the concept of levels within a dream, as seen in the movie "Inception."

Q: How was Crest toothpaste invented at Indiana University?

Crest toothpaste was invented at Indiana University due to a grad student's accidental mistake. The student forgot to remove a calcium phosphate sample from a furnace, resulting in the creation of a substance that researchers were trying to develop.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Students at Binghamton University built ramps for salamanders to prevent them from getting run over by cars on the road.

• The University of Michigan has a popular squirrel club with over 400 members who feed squirrels on campus.

• The Boston University bridge is the only place in the United States where an airplane can fly over a car driving over a train driving over a boat.