The record for the fastest motorcycle wheelie over 1 kilometre is 251.86 km/h (156.50 mph) achieved by Terry Calcott (UK) at Elvington Airfield, Yorkshire, UK on 12 September 2005. Calcott died after a road accident in Germany in May 2007

Intelligent Textiles Ltd (UK), designers of innovative, electrically active fabrics, or “e-textiles”, have developed a material that is interwoven with passive electronic circuits, allowing for a degree of interconnectivity with electrical systems. In 2009, to showcase their new technology, the Staines-based ITL incorporated their fabric into an Osprey armour carrier vest and were able to demonstrate significant electrical currents in the range 0.1–4.0 amperes, allowing troops to attach electrical equipment to powerpoints on their uniforms. Because the uniform is powered by a central battery pack Continue reading →

The world’s oldest living pigeon is the former racing pigeon, ‘Old Man’ who was born on 16 Feburary 1980, and is owned by George E. Seagroatt (UK) of Shrivenham, Wiltshire, UK.  Old Man’s ring number is GB80N48102. Still alive as of 23/01/04.

Edith Haisman (UK, nee Brown b. 27 October 1896), who died in a nursing home in Southampton, Hampshire, UK, at the age of 100 years 85 days on 20 January 1997, was 15 years old when the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank on the night of 14 April 1912. She could remember sitting in one of the ships lifeboats watching her father, Thomas Brown, standing on deck holding a glass of brandy and a cigar and saying ‘I’ll see you in New York!’. He Continue reading →

The Royal Astronomical Society (UK) was founded on 12 January 1820 when 14 gentlemen met in the Freemasons Tavern, London and agreed to found the Astronomical Society of London. It received its royal charter from King William IV on 7 March 1831. It is based in Burlington House, Piccadilly, London.

The world’s oldest animal charity is the UK’s Royal Society for the Protection of Animals. The SPCA was established in London in 1824 and was given its Royal approval in 1840, thus becoming the RSPCA. Its headquarters are in Horsham, West Sussex, UK. The RSPCA is also the world’s largest animal charity, with international links all over the world. Their original aim was to change Victorian attitudes to animal welfare, however now, in addition to this, they also investigate and report animal cruelty. The establishment Continue reading →

Bertha Wood (UK; b. 20 June 1905) had her first book, Fresh Air and Fun: The Story of a Blackpool Holiday Camp published on her 100th birthday on 20 June 2005. The book is based on her memoirs, which she began writing at the age of 90.

The oldest biological molecules isolated to date are around 125 million years old. They were extracted from the rib of an iguanodon which had been found in a quarry in Surrey, UK. The research was carried out by Liverpool University, the University of Wales and the Natural History Museum (all UK) and the results were announced in September 2003.

Reginald Bray (UK) (b. 28 October 1902) is an active member of the bell ringing team of St Cyr and St Julitta, Newton St Cyres, Devon, UK, and is still ringing bells regularly. Bray became of member of the Guild of Devonshire Ringers 20 May 1922.    As of April 2004, Reginald Bray was very much alive and well. He rang a ‘touch’ of grandsire doubles on 30th October 2003, two days after his 101st birthday.

The oldest branding (packaging) for a brand is Tate and Lyle’s Golden Syrup (UK). The same packaging has been maintained since 1885 with only slight technical changes during the war due to shortages of materials.