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What is the most unique thing a person has done or is? (lemmy.nz)

submitted 1 month ago by absGeekNZ@lemmy.nz to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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I was reading a post about unique things you wouldn't want, such as a nasty medical condition named after you.

That got me thinking.

What is the most unique thing.

Being the tallest person doesn't count, because there is always a tallest person...

I thought maybe units of measure, there are not really that many units named after people. Newton, Pascal, ampere etc... Turns out there are quite a few.

Next thought was atomic elements, there are 19 named after 20 people. That is fairly unique 20 people out of the ~110 billion to have ever lived, have an element named after them.

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[–] Cheradenine@sh.itjust.works 9 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

For length there is a Smoot https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoot

Edit: it's 1.702 metres/ 5'7"

[–] absGeekNZ@lemmy.nz 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I love the Smoot; but for weird units of measure.... gestures vaguely in the direction of North America

[–] Cheradenine@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 month ago

Off the top of my head though I can't think of any that are based on a persons name. Rod, Chain, Peck, Hogshead etc.