Scientists are trying to bring back the woolly mammoth

The folks at US genetics firm Colossal Biosciences have funnelled USD$60 million in funding to push for a ‘de-extinction’ of the giant elephant, which shares 99.6 percent of its DNA with a modern-day Asian elephant.

As to why they want to try to bring the animals back, Dr Kenneth J. Lacovara said: “By bringing them back, we could help restore a world tipped out of balance by us humans.”

The palaeontologist added: “We have a chance now to begin to reverse the tide of destruction and to set ourselves on a pathway towards a renewed, regenerative world.”

Crayola helped introduce a new shade of blue to the world

In 2017, Crayola discontinued their Dandelion crayon to make room for a crayon in YInMn blue, a vibrant shade that had been discovered by chemists at Oregon State University in 2009. The colour was a byproduct of some chemical mixing and was formulated by accident. It was dubbed YInMn for the elements included: yttrium, indium, manganese, and oxygen. Crayola named it Bluetiful.

That distinctive Crayola crayon smell is beef fat

In a 1982 study conducted by Yale University Professor William Cain, Crayola crayons were among the top 20 smells most frequently identified by subjects. That unique odour is created in large part by stearic acid, which is a derivative of beef tallow — more commonly known as beef fat. The ingredient is used to deliver a waxy consistency.

You’re not supposed to use Crayola crayons as make-up

In spring 2014, Crayola had to issue a statement warning consumers not to use their coloured pencils as eyeliner. Why? Several beauty bloggers had promoted the utensils as a cheap alternative to expensive make-up. But the pencils have been approved for illustrative purposes only; none have been designed or tested to use on skin.

One of Crayola’s top employees was colourblind

Emerson Moser was with Crayola for 35 years but he was colourblind. The diagnosis came during a company physical assessment in 1953. Moser said his colourblindness wasn’t severe, but he did have trouble discerning between slight variations in colours. He moulded over 1.4 billion crayons for the company before retiring in 1990. Crayola asked him to donate his wax-covered work boots for their Hall of Fame.

Published in Dawn, Young World, December 2nd, 2023