World's Tallest Building

Many of you already know that Burj Khalifa is the world TALLEST tower that world has ever seen.  It is a stunning work of art integrated with sophisticated engineering. Today, I would like to share some facts of Burj Khalifa, which might blow your mind! Let’s take a look some of the facts: 

Where is it?

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

When its construction started and completed?

Construction started in January, 2004 and completed in January 2010.

How much it cost to build it?

1.5 Billion Dollars*

Who’s the Burj Khalifa’s Architect?

Adrian Smith

What is the total height?

Over 828 meters or 2717 Feet.

How many floors?

It has 163 floors

How many workers are needed to clean its window?

It takes a team of 36 cleaners and spend 4 months to clean Burj Khalifa’s over 24347 windows!^{^} 

Other Facts¹: 

• Tallest free-standing structure in the world
• Highest number of stories in the world
• Highest occupied floor in the world
• Highest outdoor observation deck in the world
• Elevator with the longest travel distance in the world
• Tallest service elevator in the world

Also check out this coolest picture! I love it. It shows human fascination for building magnificent structure started long time ago. Think about the Pyramids in Egypt!

Source: 

*Stanglin, Doglas. "Dubai Opens World's Tallest Building." USA Today. Gannett, 01 Jan. 2010. Web. 29 Oct. 2013. 

^ Malkin, Bonnie, January, 5th, 2010, “Burj Khalifa: window cleaners to spend months on world’s tallest building”

1. http://www.burjkhalifa.ae/en/

Who Developed Area Codes in North America?

The area codes actually amazing! Never knew who develop this system until today. The area codes system was developed by AT&T and Bell Laboratories in 1940s and becomes effective in 1947 and people started using it in 1950's*. it was called North American Numbering Plan (NANP). 

In 1947, United States and provinces that had area code we assigned three digit codes with 0 as middle number, such as 305 for Florida, 205 for Alabama, 303 for Colorado etc*. 
The first and 3rd digits were decided according to population density in the city or region*. The most populated arrears getting the lowest numbers. For example, New York City area, was assigned 212, while the surrounding suburbs were 315, 518, and 914 and so on. 

Related Video 

Source: http://www.area-codes.com/area-code-history.asp

Who Discovered Blood Types?

Blood transfusion definitely saves life lots of life. However, many patients from all around the world died until 1901.

Who: Austrian physician and Scientist, Karl Landsteiner discover human blood group! He published a paper dealing his discovery of the three main human blood groups: A, B, and C, which he later changes to O. His contributions spanned many areas of immunology, bacteriology and pathology over a prolific 40 year career.

First Successful Blood Transfusions..

In 1907 the first successful transfusions were achieved by Dr. Reuben Ottenberg of Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York, guided by Landsteiner's work.

Karl Landsteiner's work made it possible to determine blood groups and thus paved the way for blood transfusions to be carried out safely. For this discovery he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1930*.

 

Related Video

Source:  Gates, Sara. "World Happiness Report 2013 Ranks Happiest Countries Around Globe."The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 09 Sept. 2013. Web. 15 Oct. 2013* Blood Groups, Blood Typing and Blood Transfusions." Blood Groups, Blood Typing and Blood Transfusions. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2013

Happiest Countries in the world by 2013

Guess which countries are the happiest countries in the world by 2013?  According to 156-nation survey published by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Denmark, Norway and Switzerland are the happiest countries in the world!

Among North American Countries, Canada ranks in 6^th place while Mexico 16^th and U.S 17^th! 

Source: Gates, Sara. "World Happiness Report 2013 Ranks Happiest Countries Around Globe." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 09 Sept. 2013. Web. 15 Oct. 2013.

$1250 Hair Cut, Who is that Hairstylist?

Ted Gibson, a celebrity hairstylist who also is seen on TLC makeover show called " What Not to Wear," charges $1250 for a hire cut! I love getting a nice hair cut like millions of you. My average hair cut cost about $12-15. When I read an article about Ted Gibson's haircut, I was not surprised at all because many of his clients are multimillionaires famous celebrities, so $950 or $1250 probably not a big deal to them. However, I was really surprised when I learned the fact that many of his customers are not rich nor famous they simply a big fan of Ted's Tv show. 

FACT: 

• In 2013, Ted, Gibson charged $950, and 1250 by 2013. 

• As of now, Ted Gibson is the world's most expensive hair stylist!

• 2 years ago, his rate was $450, which is more than doubled ($950) by now

• Many people come to Ted Gibson actually not rich and some of them are big fan of work on " What Not to Wear." 

• Gibson's hair cut is in good demand, people wait up to 1 or 8 weeks. 

• ^Currently, he has 2 salons, one is in New York and another one is in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Source: 

*Covello, Lauren. "$950 for a Haircut and Rising." Fox Business. N.p., 31 May 2012. Web. 30 Sept. 2013. <http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/05/31/50-for-haircut-and-rising/>

^"Nyc." Ted Gibson Salon NYC’s Best Luxury Hair Salon Services. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2013. <http://www.tedgibsonbeauty.com/nyc-cut.php>.

FedEx Founder Got "C" on His Term Paper (concept of FedEx)!!

The idea behind FedEx Express founded by Federick W. Smith, who entered Yale University in 1962. I was fascinated to know the fact that when Fred was attending at Yale University, he wrote a term paper for his economics class regarding of overnight shipping service in the computer age, and he got a "C." His professor who gave him "C" told Federick that the idea wasn't feasible. 

Now, FedEx is an American global courier Services, and named by fortune magazine as one of the top 100 companies to work in 2013! look at these company's 2012 financial facts. 

The only reason I stated these stat just to show you the fact that when you have passion and genuine intention to make something, you might not be disappointed in long run. Of course there might be lots of obstacle as the founder, Federick faced on his undergraduate economics term paper in which he received only "C". But I believe even though he got "C" it didn't stop him from follow his passion and establish his idea into an awesome reality. 

Source: * "FedEx Corporation, Inc 2012 Annual Report, Form 10-K, Filing Date July 16, 2012". secdatabase.com. Retrieved Dec 26, 2012.

100 People Die Each Day From Drug Overdose!

Drugs were developed to cure diseases, relief from discomfort, and so many other reasons. However, people abuse it anyway. Drug overdoses becoming very fatal in the United States as well as all around the world. In U.S., the death rates from Drug overdoses is more than heroine  and cocaine deaths combine. Here are some facts on Drug overdoes, which might surprised you. 

FACTS: 

• 100 people die from drug overdoses each day here in the United Sates!

• In 2008, more than 36,000 people died from drug overdoses, and most of these deaths were caused by prescription drugs*

• In 2010, of the 38,329 drug overdose deaths in the United States, 22,134**

Among these drug users, women are victim of drug overdoses.

• Nearly 48,000 women died of prescription painkiller overdoses between 1999 and 2010^

• Deaths from prescription painkiller overdoses among women have increased more than 400% since 1999, compared to 265% among men^

           

Source: 

*CDC. Vital Signs: Overdoses of Prescription Opioid Pain Relievers—United States, 1999-2008. MMWR 2011; 60: 1-6

**Jones CM, Mack KA, Paulozzi LJ. Pharmaceutical overdose deaths, United States, 2010. JAMA 2013;309:657-659

^ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 03 July 2013. Web. 28 Sept. 2013. <http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/PrescriptionPainkillerOverdoses/index.html>