35 Mph facts
While investigating facts about 35 Mph, I found out little known, but curios details like:
The World Record for the fastest growing plant belongs to a certain species of bamboo. They have been found to grow up to 35 inches per day at a rate of 0.00002 mph. That’s nearly 1.5 inches an hour. You could literally watch bamboo grow before your eyes.
In 1962 a bear was ejected from a B-58 jet bomber at 870 mph to test whether humans could survive supersonic ejections. The bear then floated down via parachute from 35,000 feet over the course of 7 minutes, where it landed unharmed.
In my opinion, it is useful to put together a list of the most interesting details from trusted sources that I've come across. Here are 32 of the best facts about 35 Mph I managed to collect.
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During WWII, the national speed limit was reduced to 35 mph to save gasoline and tire wear. A trip across Utah could take nine hours instead of five.
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In 1896 two 35 ton trains going approximately 60 mph were intentionally slammed into each other in front of 40,000 spectators in Texas. The resulting crash caused boilers to explode on both trains, instantly killing three people and injuring several more, some of which were over 1/2 mile away.
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The amount of time a traffic light stays yellow corresponds with the first digit of the speed limit. If the speed limit is 50 mph the yellow light will be 5 seconds long, 35 mph is 3.5 seconds, etc.
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The word "blizzard" has a specific, technical definition. The National Weather Service defines a blizzard as a snowstorm with sustained 35 mph (56 kph) winds with visibility under 1/4 mile (400m) lasting at least three hours.
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As a form of rationing during WWII, the speed limit was lowered to 35 mph in the United States, but as more of an effort to save the rubber used to make tires than to save fuel.
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In 1919 there was a wave of molasses 25 feet tall on the streets of Boston moving at about 35 mph (56 km/h)
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Grizzly bears are capable of running 35 MPH, easily besting even the fastest human on Earth by 8 MPH (Usain Bolt @ 27 MPH)
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From 1897-1953, the NYC Post Office moved some of its mail using an intricate system of underground pneumatic tubes that shot canisters at a speed of 35 mph. At its peak, the tube system carried close to 100,000 letters a day -- about 30% of all the mail that was routed through the city.
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American bison were not domesticated because they were difficult to confine. They have a "wild and ungovernable temper," can jump 6 feet (1.8 m) vertically, and can run 35-40 mph (56–64 km/h) when agitated.
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There was a Great Molasses Flood that occurred on January 15, 1919 in Boston, Massachusetts. A large molasses storage tank burst open and a huge wave of molasses flooded the streets around 35 mph, killing 21 and injuring 150.
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A "Blizzard" requires wind gusts of 35 mph and visibility of < 1/4 mile for at least 3 hours. Everything else is just a snow storm.
To solve the telegraph’s “last mile” problem, major cities like New York, London, and Paris developed pneumatic mail services, systems of tubes that used compressed air to push canisters of mail under city streets at about 35 mph. The systems were basically 19th-century, physical internets. - source
There used to be a national speed limit, set at 55 mph. During WWII, it was 35 mph (the "Victory Speed Limit"). - source
The Great Boston Molasses Flood. In 1919, 2.3 million gallons of molasses flowed through North Boston at 35 mph, killing 21 and injuring 150.
Dragonflies are the fastest flying insects, topping at 60MPH. On average can travel at 35-40MPH, and only keep their wings for around 4 weeks. - source
The national speed limit in the US during WW2 was set to 35 mph in order to conserve tire rubber
Most penguins swim underwater at around four to seven miles per hour (6 – 11 km/h), but the fastest penguin—the gentoo (Pygoscelis papua)—can reach top speeds of 22 mph (35 km/h).
In 1919 in Boston, MA a molasses tank collapsed resulting in a 25ft wave of molasses moving at 35 mph. 21 died and 150 were injured.
The NFL's YouTube channel has the entirety of the famous Cincinnati "Freezer Bowl" football game, where the air temperature at kickoff was -9F with 35 mph wind gusts.
