Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, and has been for some time. But when did people first start playing?
While I'm sure people have kicked things around since we could stand on two legs, the first known modern soccer ball was found in a 16th century castle bedroom. Check out a photo of that ball and much more in this collection of fascinating photos for your Friday.
1
A 2,000-year-old Roman face cream dating back to the 2nd century. The object was found in a temple complex dedicated to Mars. It's the world's oldest cosmetic face cream, and it still has finger marks on the lid.
2
Ruby Falls in Tennessee; a 260-foot underground waterfall.
3
Launchpad for Blue Origins New Glenn rocket.
4
The oldest football, found at Stirling Castle in a bedroom. 16th century.
5
Fish ladders are an adaptation of the Tesla valve and allow fish to migrate past a dam without impeding the dam’s function.
6
“In 1942 my great-grandfather got his car starter rebuilt for $3.01. The tax was $.01.”
7
The Saudi Arabian desert after rainfall.
8
An Italian man named Vincenzo Peruggia stole the Mona Lisa from the Louvre in 1911, hid it in his apartment for two years, and then contacted the owner of an art gallery in Italy, expecting a reward for returning the painting to what he regarded as its "homeland." He only served seven months in jail, and the theft rocketed the Mona Lisa to international fame.
9
Doom on a volumetric display.
10
The gender of a newborn alligator is determined by temperature. If it is warm in the nest, a male will be born, if it is cold, a female will be born.
11
A photo of Swaminarayan Akshardham, located in the township of Robbinsville New Jersey. It is the largest Hindu Temple outside of Asia, taking up a total of 183-acres.
12
“Sea Lions in my hometown sleeping on San Carlos beach due to Orca sightings nearby.”
13
The Regent International apartment building in Hangzhou, China, has a population of around 30,000 people.
16
The 57-story skyscraper at 56 Leonard Street, New York.
17
Rio Tinto, Spain. A river with vivid red waters due to high levels of iron and other metals.
18
The ruins of Dvin, former medieval capital of Armenia and a city that lasted for nearly 1,000 years until its destruction by Mongols in the 13th century.
19
Sarah Simpkins, who graduated college at the age of 102.
20
CT scan showing patient's legs filled with cysts caused by a parasitic infection from eating undercooked pork. The infection, known as cysticercosis, is caused by ingesting larval cysts of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium.
21
ISS astronaut Matthew Dominick photographing a meteor explosion from Space.
22
Spain’s long-necked dinosaur star emerges from a 12,000-fossil find. Qunkasaura is notable for being among the most complete sauropod skeletons ever unearthed in Europe.
23
The original Hollywood sign, 1923.
