"The highest number of post-nominal numbers ever used to designate a member of a Royal House was 75 briefly enjoyed by Count Heinrich LXXV Reuss (1800-1). All male members of this branch of this German family are called Heinrich and are successively numbered 1 upwards each century." - Guiness Book of Records 1986. So effectively the last boy born in a century has a ridiculously large number in his name. You might be John Doe III, but you're nowhere close.
The iconic Stalhelm of the German armed forces during both World Wars is still in use... by Chilean Honour Guards. Although in practice, Chile's armed forces use more modern and effective designs, they retain the Stalhelm for ceremonial purposes (never understood why...)
During the Frisco Shootout, between 40 and 80 cowboys fired over 1,000 rounds into the house of Elfego Baca when he refused to come out, but after a friend managed to negotiate a truce, Baca emerged - unscathed; his front door is said to have taken 400 rounds through it.
The song Black Betty, as played by both Ram Jam and Spiderbait may have its origins in 18th century.
The first invention to break the sound barrier was the whip, invented in China millennia ago.
