The Smug Report

A daily brief for trivia people. Surprising true stories, historical oddities, birthdays, future trivia and facts worth knowing. Know more. Gloat responsibly.

Articles

Hollywood Runs Short of Metal, Discovers Prestige Can Be Made of Plaster

Nov 1, 2026

•

4 min read

Hollywood Runs Short of Metal, Discovers Prestige Can Be Made of Plaster

Toby Shaver

Victorian Theater Summons a Ghost, Forgets to Credit the Window Pane

Oct 31, 2026

•

5 min read

Victorian Theater Summons a Ghost, Forgets to Credit the Window Pane

Fresh Pineapple Doesn’t "Ruin" Jell-O: You Just Brought a Protease to a Collagen Fight

Oct 30, 2026

•

5 min read

Fresh Pineapple Doesn’t "Ruin" Jell-O: You Just Brought a Protease to a Collagen Fight

Friday, October 30, 2026 | Know more. Gloat responsibly.

Wombat Produces Cubes Without Square Opening, Leaves Engineers With Several Questions

Oct 29, 2026

•

4 min read

Wombat Produces Cubes Without Square Opening, Leaves Engineers With Several Questions

Thursday, October 29, 2026 | Know more. Gloat responsibly.

Hollywood Actress and Composer Develop Torpedo Technology, Rudely Refuse to Stay in Their Lanes

Oct 28, 2026

•

4 min read

Hollywood Actress and Composer Develop Torpedo Technology, Rudely Refuse to Stay in Their Lanes

October 28, 2026 | Hedy Lamarr’s invention, Lady Liberty, and candy-bowl botany.

Victorian Battery Completes 175 Years of Work Without Requesting a Charging Cable

Oct 27, 2026

•

4 min read

Victorian Battery Completes 175 Years of Work Without Requesting a Charging Cable

October 27, 2026 | Oxford’s enduring bell, John Cleese, and skeleton corrections.