Freaky True Science

Technology has made modern life as we know it possible, but there's always a downside to technological advances. Some technology can be helpful, but some is downright freaky. From secret computer viruses made by the government to incredible technology that keeps buildings safe during windstorms or earthquakes, this book explores the world of technology with an eye on the weird fringes that spark some of the most useful and wild inventions in the world. After all, the weird of today just may be the ordinary of the future.

Electricity is one of the most important discoveries of the modern world. But sometimes electricity can do truly freaky things. From ball lightning to Nikola Tesla's amazing lightning rod and other inventions, the power of lightning has fascinated many throughout history. Stories about Ben Franklin discovering electricity and how Tesla coils work will fascinate readers eager to explore the history of electricity and the technological advances scientists have discovered while working with this powerful natural force.

Everyone needs sleep, but some of the weirdest things about living happen when people try to get some shut-eye. Sleepwalking and lucid dreams are just the start of the odd things that can happen to people when they are asleep. Exploding head syndrome, for instance, is not something people want waking them up in the middle of the night! This book explores all the weird wonders that sleep can bring. From sleep disorders to paralysis and even breathless sleep, there are plenty of freaky facts to explore about life after people close their eyes and say good night.

People around the globe have to deal with all kinds of freaky weather events, from the fury of blinding blizzards to the destruction of howling hurricanes. No place on Earth is safe from nature's wicked weather. Readers take a wild ride through some of Earth's strangest weather scenarios, such as record-setting hailstones, frogs dropping from the sky, and "fire tornadoes," which are vortexes of air that pick up flames from forest fires and shoot them hundreds of feet into the air. Vivid photographs capture the intensity of nature's wrath, and captivating fact boxes and detailed sidebars add even more high-interest content.

Today, science offers explanations of things people once found freaky, and the human body is no exception. Everything our body does has a purpose, from our seemingly gross bodily fluids to the weird and wild ways we stay healthy. Readers take a journey through the human body, learning why (almost) every organ has a purpose and how the old adage "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" is actually true in some ways. From the bacteria that fills our bodies to babies' lack of kneecaps when they're born, no stone is left unturned in this freakish compilation of all things anatomical. Vivid color images and fascinating fun facts and sidebars offer even more bodily knowledge.

Animals are a wild and wonderful part of our world. However, some animals and their stories are a little wilder than others! This fascinating book explores some of the animal kingdom's freakiest specimens and strangest scenarios-like the true tale of a two-headed housecat named "Frankenlouie," and of a chicken named Mike who lived for 18 months after getting his head chopped off! High-interest subject matter and amazingly freaky photographs will captivate readers, and enthralling sidebars and fact boxes present even more unbelievable-but true!-information about some of the most outrageous animals on Earth.

Some of the wildest inventions came from clever minds that wanted to change the world. But some of these inventions are truly strange. From crazy early flying machines to wacky mash-ups like a gun that takes pictures, there are many crazy creations that lived short lives. Even practical inventions of the past-like the phonograph-look strange compared to modern inventions such as televisions and MP3 players. This book takes a look at some of the strangest inventors and inventions made throughout time, as well as why these inventions failed or evolved into something we use today.

There are stories of meat-eating plants, but are they really true? Yes! Plants are just as freaky as animals in many ways. This book dives into jungles, forests, and fields all over the world that contain some of the wildest plants on the planet. From Venus flytraps and pitcher plants to a plant that smells like a rotting corpse, these organisms are as diverse as they are weird. Toxic mosses and poisonous plants like the New Zealand tree nettle show that plants can be just as dangerous-and freaky-as anything in the animal kingdom.

Aliens, ghosts, and cryptids may all fall under the category of "strange" or "unusual," but all are classified as paranormal. There are plenty of spooky and scary stories throughout history. From Abraham Lincoln's doppelganger to the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle and even the feeling of déjà vu, there are many unexplained phenomena. Even some aspects of history itself are still a mystery, like the Antikythera mechanism found in a Greek shipwreck. This book shows readers that there is often a blurry line between fact and the paranormal, and sometimes fact is even stranger than fiction!