Opus – Page 196 – Encyclopædia of the sublime

1 Milliard B-Pengo

After WW2, the new democratic government suffered from serious lack of money, so it ordered the national bank to manufacture banknotes quickly and cheaply. There was little time to design new notes, thus the plates of banknotes printed in 1926 were reused as well as portraits from other notes. Beginning with the 1000 pengő note, only denominations of integer powers of ten were used. The uncontrolled banknote issuing aggravated inflation. In 1946 Hungary issued a 100 Million B-Pengo, which was the the largest circulated banknote at the time, unfortunately it was worth only about $0.20 USD in 1946. Hungary also printed a 1 Milliard B-Pengo, but it was never released into circulation. The 1 Milliard B-Pengo translates into 1 trillion Pengos.

Elevator surfing

Elevator surfing is an activity involving moving around on top of elevators, or jumping between moving elevators where possible.

Spider fighting

Spider fighting is a popular blood sport among rural Filipino children. The game begins by placing two spiders at opposite ends of a stick from a walis ting-ting (a broom made from the midribs of coconut leaves). The spiders are then led to one another until they wrestle. The first one to drop off the stick loses. Top fighters can fetch up to 100 pesos (US$2), making the sport lucrative for children.

Filibuster

A filibuster is a type of parliamentary procedure. Specifically, it is a form of obstruction in a legislature or other decision-making body whereby one attempts to delay or entirely prevent a vote on a proposal.

Taman Shud Case

Considered one of Australia's most profound murder mysteries, the case has been the subject of intense speculation over the years regarding the identity of the victim, the events leading up to his death and the cause of death.

Brooks

Brooks has been making leather bicycle saddles since 1866.

Oblomov

Oblomov is the best known novel by Russian writer Ivan Goncharov, first published in 1859. Oblomov is also the central character of the novel, often seen as the ultimate incarnation of the superfluous man, a symbolic character in 19th-century Russian literature. Oblomov is a young, generous nobleman who seems incapable of making important decisions or undertaking any significant actions. Throughout the novel he rarely leaves his room or bed and famously fails to leave his bed for the first 150 pages of the novel.

Terrapin à la Maryland

In the 19th century, a dish called "Terrapin à la Maryland", a sort of turtle soup, was a trendy meal at elite restaurants.

Sword swallowing

Originating in India before 2000 BC, the deadly art of sword swallowing has a long and varied history. The art takes about three to seven years to learn and approximately five more to master.

Red Fort

The Red Fort is a 17th century fort complex constructed by the Mughal emperor Shahjahan in the walled city of Old Delhi.