The 50 Strangest Facts About The Economy

The economy is a big, scary, and often strange thing. Its something that pretty dictates the course of our lives, yet many people do not know about its history, or how the economy actually works.
And over the last little while while researching a lot about the world economy, I compiled a list of some of the weirdest and strangest things I have ever learned about the economy. So, here it is.

The U.S. Postal Service once held a bizarre and short-lived monopoly on delivering babies via parcel post. Yes, you read that correctly. In 1902, it was technically legal to mail your child if they were under the weight limit. Some creative parents, looking to save money on train tickets, actually took advantage of this loophole. The “mail babies” were often sent to visit relatives, tagged and insured like any other package. This practice was obviously insane and was quickly shut down once the Postal Service realized they were delivering more than just letters and packages.

It’s hard to imagine the logistics of this – postal workers carrying infants along their routes, ensuring the "parcels" were fed and changed. The idea of mailing children is so absurd that it feels like something out of a satirical sketch rather than actual history. Thankfully, the practice didn’t last long, and laws were swiftly amended to prevent such madness.

But for a brief, surreal period, the U.S. Postal Service had the dubious honor of being the nation's baby courier. This episode serves as a stark reminder that not all government regulations are bad – sometimes, they prevent genuinely ridiculous situations. So, next time you’re annoyed by postage rates or delivery times, just be thankful the Postal Service isn’t still in the business of delivering babies.

Not too long ago, The Economist magazine, in its infinite wisdom, decided that the best way to measure purchasing power parity between countries was through the price of a Big Mac. Yes, the iconic burger from McDonald's became the benchmark for economic comparison. Forget complex financial models and economic theories – just look at the cost of a Big Mac. The Big Mac Index is both absurdly simple and strangely insightful, highlighting how much bang you get for your buck (or Euro, or Yen) around the world.

The idea is that a Big Mac costs different amounts in different countries, reflecting the relative value of currencies. For example, if a Big Mac is cheaper in one country than another, it suggests that the former's currency is undervalued. It’s an amusing yet surprisingly effective way to compare economies. Who knew that a fast-food item could become a global economic indicator?

Of course, the Big Mac Index isn’t without its critics. Some argue it oversimplifies complex economic conditions, while others point out that not everyone bases their financial decisions on the price of a burger. But in a world of endless data and intricate statistics, there’s something refreshing about using a simple, everyday item to gauge economic health. Next time you bite into a Big Mac, take a moment to appreciate its role in global economics – and maybe consider it a little victory for the common man.


Australia, the land of deadly creatures and bizarre decisions, declared war on emus in 1932. These oversized, flightless birds were causing chaos for farmers, so the government, in its infinite wisdom, decided to send in soldiers armed with machine guns. Because nothing says "rational response" like turning farmland into a battlefield against birds. The emus, clearly military strategists in disguise, outmaneuvered the soldiers at every turn.

Despite the superior firepower, the soldiers managed to kill only a fraction of the emu population, while the rest continued their crop-destroying rampage. The government's grand plan backfired spectacularly, resulting in a humiliating defeat. Taxpayer money was well spent on this feathery fiasco, proving once again that sometimes nature is the best tactician. After several skirmishes and countless rounds of ammunition wasted, the military finally admitted defeat and withdrew.




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