THE MAGNIFICENT MOTION LAMP

One of the most glorious cultural icons which reached its zenith in the USA during the unparalleled era of peace and prosperity that was the later years of the Eisenhower presidency (although certain foreign countries and minority groups might have a different description for that time period) was the motion lamp. A motion lamp was a light bulb in the middle of a platform. Above the light bulb was a spike. A plastic cylinder (the"spinner") with vanes on it would be placed over the bulb and on the spike, and the heat of the bulb would cause the spinner to rotate. A larger translucent rigid cylinder containing both an inner and outer wall was then placed over the whole assembly (although in the very early models made in the 1930s, the inner and outer walls were separate pieces). 

The spinner and the inner and outer walls of the rigid cylinder would be perforated, fluted, or painted in such a way that the rotating spinner would create an animated picture when viewed through the rigid cylinder, such as a stream with moving water flowing through a blazing forest fire with flickering flames, fish swimming in a tank, a burning barn, a boy urinating (really), a steam locomotive billowing smoke and passing through the countryside, etc.  If you by now are hopelessly confused by this inartful description, just look at the pictures below.

A hardware or furniture store in the late 1950s would often have dozens of  these lamps on display with their vibrant colors and different types of scenes in motion to create a glorious optical cornucopia--complemented with the sweet aromatic ecstasy of volatile compounds released from the overheated plastic cylinders. The lamps were frequently purchased to place on the top of TV consoles, which sixty years ago usually consisted of a large glass tube embedded in a massive wooden cabinet (I personally would not recommend attempting to put a motion lamp on a modern flat screen television).

  

Although a few of these entertaining illuminating inspirations were manufactured until relatively recent times, most were made prior to 1962.  The use of too hot of a bulb would make their cylinders and spinners warped and brittle, and as a result, their attrition rate during the past half-century has been quite high. The lamps occasionally show up in antique stores (with stratospheric price tags), but to find one in decent shape and working condition is an extremely rare and wonderful event.

To see motion lamp action, click here.

1931 Scene-In Action "Marine Scene"--It
originally sold for $7

1958 L A Goodman "Niagara Falls"--One of the
 most colorful and aesthetic lamps made

THE CANADIAN-ROMAN SYNERGY

Readers of these Factoids will recall an assertion that Leif Erickson was probably the first European to visit North America--sometime around the year 1000. However, a recent article in the Boston Standard suggests that Leif may have been an explorer-come-lately by several hundred years. Specifically, the finding of an ancient Roman sword (a "gladius") by a fisherman, purportedly from a Roman shipwreck near the infamous Oak Island of Nova Scotia, suggests that Europeans may have visited the New World over a thousand years before Columbus.

This is a story which will require further review as time marches on. It would be interesting, for example, to see what is found if and when the shipwreck is salvaged. In the meantime, however,  J. Hutton Pulitzer, the researcher investigating the sword and surrounding events, states that the following evidence indicates that America might have come perilously close to becoming part of the Roman Empire: Members of the Mi'kmaq tribe, native to Nova Scotia, carry gene markers in their DNA normally found only in those of Eastern Mediterranean descent. Mi'kmag petroglyphs discovered in the 1800s appear to resemble Roman troops and ships. Fifty words in the Mi'kmaq language correspond to Roman nautical terms. A Roman legionnaire's whistle was discovered in the area in 1901. A boss from the center of a Roman shield was discovered in the 1800s in Nova Scotia. Two stones found on Oak Island were engraved with an ancient Eastern Mediterranean script. Gold Roman coins were discovered on the mainland near Oak Island. And, finally, the area contains the invasive plant European barberry (Berberis vulgaris), used by the Romans as seasoning and to prevent scurvy.

While it is cool to imagine that the Romans invaded Canada at one point, one must keep in mind that these latest revelations unfolded conveniently at the very time when the History Channel is hyping its series, The Curse of Oak Island, about unlocking the secrets (including, perhaps, buried treasure) on that piece of controversial real estate.

Embed from Getty Images

DR. SEUSS AT WAR

Theodor Seuss Geisel a/k/a Dr. Seuss was not exclusively a children's book author and illustrator, and his works were often featured in various magazines such as Life and Vanity Fair as well as in advertisements for various products. He spawned the famous insecticide jingle "Quick Henry, the Flit" which would be instantly recognized today by anyone over 80 years old.

During early World War II, Geisel drew over 400 political cartoons for the PM, a leftist newspaper in New York. Most of his messages were pro-Roosevelt and critical of the Axis powers. He frequently denounced entities he perceived as helping the Nazi war effort, including isolationists (especially Charles Lindbergh), Republicans, anti-Communists, and the Chicago Tribune. He was opposed to all forms of bigotry, except in the case of Japanese-Americans, whom he labelled universally as traitors.

Later on in the war, he prepared drawings for the War Production Board and the Treasury Department, and he eventually enlisted in the US Army and produced various training and propaganda films.

Fans of Geisel's children's books will instantly recognize his artistic style in his World War II political cartoons. In fact, they often feature bizarre creatures and elephants very similar to those he drew for the youngsters. If you do not believe me, you can find some of these cartoons by going to the following website or to the very excellent book Dr. Seuss Goes to War and see for yourself.

THE DISNEYLAND DISQUALIFICATION

Originally, the current dictator of North Korea, Kim Jong-Un, was not originally slated by his father, Kim Jong-Il, a/k/a "Dear Leader, Who is a Perfect Incarnation of the Appearance That a Leader Should Have" (his actual title) to serve as Kim Jong-Il's successor in that office. That privilege had been reserved for Kim Jong-Un's older half-brother, Kim Jong-Nam (pictured below).

Unfortunately (or ultimately, perhaps fortunately) for Kim Jong-Nam, he was caught trying to go to Disneyland Tokyo with a forged passport in 2001. He was exiled to the People's Republic of China and has since traveled to numerous countries in the world. His wanderlust may not be as much a product of a playboy lifestyle as a desire to avoid assassination attempts--especially since his brother had no problem condemning their uncle to death and executing him--according to some reports, by machine gun fire, according to others, by feeding him to starving dogs. Anything is possible in North Korea.

The bottom line is, you really have no idea with whom you might be rubbing shoulders at Disneyland.

UPDATE 2/20/2017--On February 13, 2017, Kim Jong-Nam was killed by poison in Malaysia. You are not paranoid when someone really is out to get you.

View image | gettyimages.com

COMING OUT ON THE CLOSET

Anyone who makes a habit taking formal tours of American historical homes from the 19th Century or earlier will note than many of these houses--or even mansions--did not have closets in most of the bedrooms or a central closet for overcoats and the like. The explanation provided by the tour guides for this phenomenon is usually something along the lines of "the tax on the house was based on the number of rooms, and each closet counted as a separate room." In other words, like today, where virtually every financial decision is not based on its own merits but instead on the tax consequences, the imposition of taxes influenced architecture and encouraged the construction of dwellings without much closet space.

An internet search will reveal that many persons still subscribe to this theory, while many others maintain that closets were not ubiquitous in the past simply because they were not necessary then where people had far fewer garments, which would fit nicely in a dresser, chest, or armoire. In support of their hypothesis, the tax-theory naysayers often refer to an unidentified study done by an unknown person at an unspecified time which established that there were no such tax laws in the original thirteen colonies. They also cite to examples of specific old houses which in fact had a closet or two.

Well, who is right in this highly emotionally-charged controversy? I don't really know--probably both sides. I do not believe, for a variety of reasons, that  the tax theory should be automatically discarded, including: 1) "Closet" in the old days did not refer merely to a small enclosure built as a component of a room--it was also used as a term for a small room used for prayer, study, or contemplation. 2) Presuming that someone did in fact establish that there were no "closet = room" laws in the tax codes of the original thirteen colonies, that does not mean that such a provision did not arise in other states or territories or that it did not originally exist when the colonies belonged to England (which for sure had weird revenue provisions, such as the dreaded and paneful "window tax" of 1696). 3) The fact that some old houses had some closets does not prove that they were not taxed--only that the owner was willing to take on the tax burden. 4) I embrace and automatically accept as true any and all hypotheses purporting to illustrate how misuse of the power to tax has all sorts of unanticipated consequences.

Ironically, with the advent in modern construction of huge walk-in enclosures for garments complete with windows, electricity, heating/cooling ducts, and furnishings, many closets are now in fact rooms for all practical purposes.

THE CARCHARODON COMMUNIST COMMENTARY

One of Fidel Castro's favorite movies is Jaws.  He claims that he likes it because it portrays the evils of capitalism when it depicts the mayor of the town trying to keep the beaches open and the dollars rolling in during tourist season notwithstanding the danger posed by a known man-eating (and woman-eating) shark.

View image | gettyimages.com

MOTOR VEHICLE OPTIONS YOU MUST ESCHEW

We have earlier noted that the U.S. government now determines for its subjects what features they must have and cannot have on their automobiles. The following are some of the items on a list compiled by Popular Science of just a few of the contraband things you dare not install on your car but which are available in other countries.

DYNAMIC HIGH BEAMS.  This feature uses a complex array of electronics and sensors to automatically dim the only the portion of the high beam headlights which would blind an oncoming driver in the opposite lane while fully continuing to illuminate everything else. The USA permits only devices which totally shut down all of both high beams--a feature first introduced by Oldsmobile in 1952.

DYNAMIC LIGHT SPOT.  This is an infrared beam which detects pedestrians on the road at night and shines a spotlight on them in time for the driver to see them and take evasive action.

STROBE BRAKE LIGHTS.  These are brake lights which flash rapidly during a panic stop to alert following drivers that they had better consider slamming on their own brakes. A normal slow braking would simply cause the brake lights to glow brightly but not strobe, just like they do now.

REAR-VIEW MIRROR CAMERA. It is illegal in America to replace the interior rear-view mirror with a camera which shows what is behind you--even though the camera could provide a wider view and eliminate the notorious blind spot.

REMOTE-MOUNT MAGNETIC CAMERA. You cannot in the USA install detachable remote cameras to help you see blind spots.

LIGHTWEIGHT SEATS. The government says they are not safe, although I would think that I would rather have a lightweight seat pushing me forward against my seat belt in the event of a crash rather than a heavy behemoth.

ASPHERICAL MIRRORS. These are external mirrors which are curved in such a way as to eliminate the blind spot. 

Click here to see how all of this federal regulation started. 

ERADICATING GARMENT DISTRICT ERETHISM

One of the boons in the 19th century for seamstresses as well as for clothing manufacturers was the invention of the treadle sewing machine--a device similar to modern sewing machines except that it was powered not by electricity but instead by the operator using her foot (or feet) to pump a pedal up and down.

While this made sewing much easier and faster than doing it by hand, it purportedly had a deleterious effect on the operator, as reported in the British Medical Journal on January 12, 1867. According to the author of the article, Dr. Langdon H. Down, MD, seamstresses were being overcome by the various ills associated with masturbation--all as a result of the operator receiving sexual stimulation from her legs rubbing together during the use of the machine. To Dr. Down's credit, he specifically rejected genital mutilation as a cure for this problem. He proposed instead a regimen of pouring cold water on the patient, administering potassium bromide and iron salts, outdoor exercise, and finding a different line of work for the patient in order to combat this serious medical condition.

Perhaps in an effort to circumvent claims under the then new worker's compensation laws, some clothing factories purportedly put bromide in the drinking water of their female employees and hired supervisors to make sure that the seamstresses were not operating their machines "too fast."

By Vincent de Groot - http://www.videgro.net
 (Own work)  via Wikimedia Commons

THE "BRING YOUR CHILD TO WORK" PITFALL

You will recall that Ernest Hemingway blew his chances of obtaining the "Father of the Year" Award when he placed his children in harm's way while chasing Nazi U-Boats in his cabin cruiser. Another father who embraced the same laissez-faire philosophy with respect to child endangerment was General Ulysses S. Grant, who, with the blessings of his wife, allowed his 11-year old son Frederick to accompany him on his quest to slaughter Confederates. During one campaign in 1863, Frederick, then at the hoary age of twelve, was shot in the leg and nearly had to have it amputated. As a result, Mama Grant withdrew her consent, and Frederick's military career was put on hold until 1866, when he became a cadet at West Point. 

Frederick eventually achieved the rank of Major General and also served as the Police Commissioner of New York City and Minister to Austria-Hungary. Just like his dad, he died in his early sixties from throat cancer.

For further information on the young Grant's Civil War experiences, click here. For a brief biography of the lesser-known General Grant, click here.

By Bain News Service, publisher, via Wikimedia Commons

THE THUMB WAR

"Vault Boy" poster at video game store

A common rule of thumb (quite literally) in the atomic age involves the calculation of the intensity of a nuclear bomb blast. Specifically, if you stick your arm all of the way out and can cover the image of the mushroom cloud with your thumb, you will be far away from the blast that the heat, shock wave, and fallout, when they eventually arrive, will be too weak to affect you. At least, that is what the theory says.

The rule is also supposed to apply to everyone regardless of body size. For those persons with smaller thumbs, they will also have shorter arms, which means that the thumb will be closer to the eye and its image will effectively cover about the same amount of area as perceived by a larger individual.

The thumb test has been incorporated within the Fallout series of electronic role-playing games featuring a post-apocalyptic society ravaged by nuclear conflict. "Vault Boy," the mascot of the game series (as well as that of "Vault Tec," a corporate entity featured in the games), is often depicted in thumb-up configuration gazing at atomic explosions.

Is there any validity to the rule? The possibility at least exists that it may serve as a rough test for the effect of the shock wave and the heat, although there would still be several variables, such as the size of the bomb, the altitude of detonation, the presence of buildings, and the topography of the area in general. Fallout can travel huge distances over time, and the rule is probably not at all effective for that purpose.

Personally speaking, if I were ever to see a fresh atomic explosion, I will not be standing out in the open gawking at the blast with an upright opposable digit waiting to be shredded by the potential shock wave. I will be rushing instead to get my loved ones behind a concrete wall in the basement, irregardless* of whether or not I can obscure the mushroom cloud with my thumb.

As "irregardless" has been in use for over a century and is found in most dictionaries, it is in fact a word, and it means the same thing as "regardless," just as "inflammable" means the same as "flammable." So get over it.

View image | gettyimages.com

Thanks (or should I say "thumbs up?") to Michael Green for the heads up on this factoid!

THE UNCLEAN ARMADILLO

Armadillos, because of their longevity and low body temperature, are one of the very few animals other than man which can be afflicted with leprosy.  It is estimated that about 5% of armadillos in Texas and Louisiana have the disease.

As of July 22, 2015, nine persons in Florida alone were diagnosed with leprosy, most likely from armadillos, in the preceding seven-month period.

To avoid transmission of leprosy from an armadillo, follow a few basic rules.

1.  Do not eat an armadillo.

2.  Do not have sex with an armadillo.

3.  Do not kiss an armadillo.

4.  Do not share toothbrushes, utensils, or needles with an armadillo.

5.  Do not accept blood transfusions from an armadillo.

6.  Do not get sneezed upon by an armadillo.

It is believed that in most cases, the disease is transmitted to gourmands who violate Rule No. 1 or trappers who violate Rule No. 6.

View image | gettyimages.com

THE CONTRACTING CEREBRUM CONUNDRUM

Contrary to expectations, the human brain has been shrinking in size over the last 20,000 years.  The average male brain once had a volume of about 1500 cc; however, it is now about 1350 cc--a difference about the size of a tennis ball. Female brains, which were slightly smaller to start with, have also shrunk proportionately.

One theory is that 20,000 years ago, individuals had to be a lot more self-reliant and had to have extra intelligence because no one else would be providing them with food, shelter, medical care, clothes, and protection from predators (trying to avoid being eaten can especially require a lot of thought and concentration). This theory would be consistent with observations about wild animals who have become domesticated, as they almost always evolve to smaller brains after several generations of living off of the largesse of humans. The only flaw with this hypothesis is that although it may explain why not as much intelligence may be needed in modern times and why a smaller brain would be adequate, it does not account for why evolution would affirmatively favor the smaller brain instead of just leaving it at its older larger size.

The second theory is that evolution resulted in the brain of each person developing more slowly than it used to and that a modern brain is simply an old-fashioned juvenile brain which never grew to its full adult potential. It is believed that individuals with full adult brains would have been a lot more aggressive than those with juvenile brains. As societies formed and there was less and less self-reliance and more dependence on the group, aggressive individuals with adult brains who went around committing self-indulgent orgies of rape, murder, and pillaging would be executed by the group and their genetic contributions eliminated.

Under either theory, evolution is favoring the preservation of less intelligent individuals who need to be supported by others and is eschewing smarter individuals who are self-reliant. In other words, no matter how counter-intuitive it may seem, the highest and most-evolved life forms vote for Democrats.

View image | gettyimages.com

THE BEAVER/MILKY WAY COMMONALITY

You will recall from a previous factoid that castoreum from beaver anal glands is used to make raspberry flavoring for candy, pastries, and the like. If the thought of using beaver anal secretions in your recipes really, truly, bothers you, then there is another potential source of raspberry flavoring, although it is a little harder to obtain.

Astronomers have been searching the heart of the Milky Way Galaxy with radio telescopes in an attempt to locate amino acids--the basic building blocks of life on earth. While they have not yet found them, they did ascertain that the center of the galaxy contains large amounts of ethyl formate. Ethyl formate is the compound which gives real raspberries their delightful flavor. In addition, if smelled instead of consumed, it has the aroma of rum.

In short, the center of the Milky Way would probably be a delightful place to be, with the flavor of raspberries and the odor of rum. However, it is approximately 100,000 light years, or about 588,000,000,000,000,000 miles (945,000,000,000,000,000 km), away (which is far).

View image | gettyimages.com

MARTIALLY INFLUENCED HOROLOGY

Originally, wristwatches were considered extremely effeminate, and no real man would have a timepiece on his body unless it was a turnip-sized pocket watch in his vest pocket. This attitude changed during World War I, where doughboys had their hands full of weapons or other equipment and were too preoccupied to be fumbling in their gear in order to see if it was time to go over the trenches. A photo of an American watch manufactured for this conflict is below.

By Museumsfoto (Deutsches Uhrenmuseum)
 [CC BY 3.0 de (http://creativecommons.org/licenses
/by/3.0/de/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons

As we all remember from an earlier factoid, wristwatches were firmly established as de rigueur by the time the Second World War rolled around.

THE REDWOOD ANTI-CONFLAGRATION PARADIGM

One immediate consequence of the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco was the outbreak of numerous fires which spread for three days throughout the area. However, the city was spared from being totally consumed by a massive inferno by the fact that some of the buildings were constructed by settlers during the Gold Rush out of redwood trees. While not absolutely fireproof, the redwood's low resin content and porous grain which soaks up moisture makes it much harder to burn than most woods. In all directions of the city, the fires were slowed down and finally conquered whenever they encountered buildings made out of this miraculous timber.

Notwithstanding the above, there was still substantial damage to the area, with approximately 80% of the buildings destroyed. Some of the structures were burned down deliberately by their owners whose property was damaged by the earthquake itself,  as these particular persons had fire insurance but had failed to purchase earthquake coverage.

THE CHICO/PAPAL INTERACTION

One of the things the Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI enjoys most during his retirement is spending quality time with his beloved Chico. Chico is a black and white cat which Benedict had to leave behind in his personal home in Germany when he went to live in Vatican City. Benedict, a devout lover of felines, was informed that no cats were allowed in the Papal Apartments, and he allegedly complied with that regulation.

You would think that if you were asked "Well, who elected YOU Pope?" and you could legitimately respond, "the College of Cardinals," you could keep one lousy little cat around, but apparently you would be wrong.

Chico is actually a replacement Chico. Chico the First was an orange cat who lived in the Pope's hometown and was a friend of the Pope when the Pope was merely Joseph Ratzinger. This Chico allegedly wrote a children's book about the Pope from the viewpoint of a cat, but it is suspected that the real author was Jeanne Perego. Chico the First died after a long happy life of 17 years. 

Rumor also has it that Benedict's relationship with the current Chico cannot be classified as exclusive and that the Holy Father may have had some other feline action on the side, including the winsome Contessina pictured below (who, as you can see, is also black and white).

View image | gettyimages.com

THE DRAGON/PULLET DUALITY

One of the elements in the rightfully-popular HBO series Game of Thrones is a trio of dragons raised by the ambitious butt-kicking female character Daenerys Targaryen, also known appropriately as the "Mother of Dragons." Although I have not read the books upon which the series is based, I feel safe in predicting that ultimately the control of the dragons in this medieval fantasy world will have an impact similar to the advantage Napoleon would have had had he had access to a group of B-52 bombers (wow, see if YOU can make a sentence with that many "hads" so close together).

At the risk of shattering the illusions of viewers of this show, I am hereby revealing that the dramatic dragon sequences contained therein were NOT filmed using real dragons. They are computer graphics. The artists/technicians responsible for the graphics used and manipulated chicken carcasses as the templates and models for the actions performed by the dragons.

View image | gettyimages.com

THE GOBBETS OF FLESH CONUNDRUM

One of the most perverse illnesses to be transmitted by an ectoparasite is vectored by the lone star tick. Specifically, persons who have enjoyed consuming mammalian flesh for decades can, if they had been bitten by a lone star tick weeks or months before, suddenly develop allergic reactions ranging from a mild rash or vomiting to a life-threatening anaphylaxis shock three to six hours after they eat a juicy pork chop, yummy hamburger, or any other delicious red meat. Red meat contains a sugar called alpha-gal, and for some currently unknown reason, the tick bite can provoke a person (or a dog) to develop antibodies against the alpha-gal and suffer an allergic reaction upon chowing down on a succulent porterhouse or the like.

For further information on this weird affliction, please click here.

THE NAUSEATING CONCEPT OF BUSHUSURU

"Bushusuru" is the Japanese term for vomiting in public.  It was introduced into that language after George H. W. Bush became ill at a state dinner in Tokyo in January 11, 1992.

For a video of that embarrassing event, please click here. Why you would want to do so is an entirely different issue altogether.

THE GUY WHO LIKED LUXURY CARS

The Lincoln automobile was created by Henry Leland.

The Cadillac automobile was created by Henry Leland.

View image | gettyimages.com

View image | gettyimages.com

THE SHOCKING SAGA OF R. C. SULLIVAN

Between 1942 and 1977, Shenandoah National Park Ranger Roy C. Sullivan was struck 7 times by lightning without serious injury. He had also been previously hit by lightning once as a youth, but this strike was not "officially" documented. 

The odds of the average person being struck by lightning once in his life time is one in 10,000.

 

Sullivan felt hurt and rejected by the fact that people, for some inexplicable reason, would avoid getting physically near him.  Sadly, he committed suicide when he was 71 years old.

By Griffinstorm (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)],
 via Wikimedia Commons

THE MIDDLE-CLASS MICHAEL MOORE

Filmmaker Michael Moore achieved the slavish devotion of followers of the Occupy Wall Street movement a few years ago by his appearances at its rallies where he condemned capitalism as "an evil, evil system" which needed to end. He emitted the clarion calls of "Make the rich pay!" and "Tax them! Tax them! Tax them!" He also used the term "us" to include himself among the 250 million non-wealthy Americans. He specifically denied being in the upper-class "1%."

As part of a divorce settlement, he is now attempting to sell his modest home at Torch Lake, Michigan (which is not to be confused with his huge condo in downtown Manhattan or his seven other properties) for $5,200,000.00. You can view the listing on Zillow. Celebrity Net Worth estimated his total wealth at $50,000,000.00.

View image | gettyimages.com

HUNGRY FOR JUSTICE?

A study of more than 1,000 parole rulings by experienced judges in Israel indicated that the judges ruled in favor of the prisoner about 65% of the time right after a lunch or snack break but that the favorable rulings dwindled down to about 0% as the day progressed. At the time of the next food break, the rate of favorable rulings immediately kicked up to 65% again.

View image | gettyimages.com

#262--THE EERIE U-28 ENCOUNTER

In 1915, the German submarine U-28 was doing what German subs were often doing back then--torpedoing British ships. One such unfortunate victim was the Iberian, which quickly sank below the waves. Approximately 25 seconds later, it exploded, sending debris into the air along with something else as described in the German captain's log translated below:

"On July 30, 1915, our U-28 torpedoed the British steamer Iberian, which was carrying a rich cargo across the North Atlantic. The steamer sank so swiftly that its bow stuck up almost vertically into the air. Moments later the hull of the Iberian disappeared. The wreckage remained beneath the water for approximately twenty-five seconds, at a depth that was clearly impossible to assess, when suddenly there was a violent explosion, which shot pieces of debris - among them a gigantic aquatic animal - out of the water to a height of approximately 80-feet [24 meters]."

"At that moment I had with me in the conning tower six of my officers of the watch, including the chief engineer, the navigator, and the helmsman. Simultaneously we all drew one another's attention to this wonder of the seas, which was writhing and struggling among the debris. We were unable to identify the creature, but all of us agreed that it resembled an aquatic crocodile, which was about 60-feet [18 meters] long, with four limbs resembling large webbed feet, a long, pointed tail and a head which also tapered to a point. Unfortunately we were not able to take a photograph, for the animal sank out of sight after ten or fifteen seconds."

There are a limited number of explanations for this phenomenon. The first, and most obvious one, is that the captain was lying. This theory appears problematical, both for the fact that there would be no reason for the captain to concoct such a tale and for the fact that the German Navy strongly discouraged its officers from using their official logs as works of fiction. 

It is equally implausible that all of the individuals who saw the creature suffered from some sort of mass hallucination.

Another alternative would be that the captain and the other crew members saw a whale or other ordinary large sea creature--again unlikely, as no marine animal known to be alive in modern times is sixty feet long and resembles a crocodile with a pointed snout, four limbs, and a pointed tail. 

A further possibility is that it was in fact a saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)--the huge leviathan known to viewers of Paul Hogan movies and pictured below. Again this scenario is implausible, as the largest known examples are no more than 23 feet (7 meters) in length and only inhabit the warm tropical waters of the Southern Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Embed from Getty Images

Finally, the one remaining explanation is that the creature might have been a prehistoric animal who failed to realize that it was supposed to be extinct. One obvious candidate would be a mosasaur (pictured below), who viewers of Jurassic World will remember as one scaly guy who really kicked some butt. Mosasaurs reached (or, cueing in dramatic music, should I have used the present tense "reach"?) sixty feet long--150% of the length of an adult Tyrannosaurus rex--and do look very crocodilian. There are also many other reptiles from the past which, if not actually huge crocodilians, very closely resembled them.

Is it in fact possible that animals long thought to be extinct are still denizens of the deep? There is a lot of ocean out there, and the vast majority of it has never been explored below the surface. As Sherlock Holmes stated, "When you have eliminated the impossible, then what is left must be the truth."

By Nobu Tamura (http://spinops.blogspot.com) (Own work)
[GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) via Wikimedia Commons