Fun facts about coal

The amount of energy produced by the sun in a two-week period equals the combined stored energy of all the coal, iron, and natural gas reserves known to man

The ash that is a by-product of coal combustion is used as fillers for things such as tennis rackets, golf balls and linoleum

The energy we get from coal today comes from the energy that plants absorbed from the sun millions of years ago

Tinnunculite is a naturally occurring material that only forms when falcon’s poop directly into burning coal mines as they fly

The Romans used to wear coal as jet jewellery, use it in blacksmiths’ forges, for heating their soldiers’ forts and maintaining a perpetual fire at Minerva’s shrine in the city of Bath

The Titanic’s coal stores had been burning for weeks before she set sail, damaging the starboard side of the ship where the iceberg hit. The fire damaged the hull enough to be a large contributing factor in why the iceberg caused such damage

In some cultures, there is a tradition that children who misbehave will receive only a lump of coal from Santa Claus in their Christmas stockings instead of presents

It is customary and considered lucky in Scotland and the north of England to give coal as a gift when welcoming in the New Year, representing warmth for the year to come