Fast Fact

Elbert “Philly” Price was one of the earliest stars of vaudeville in the 1870s. He eventually became enough of a draw to merit a continuing gig at the Alwin Theater in Times Square. He is perhaps most influential (though not famous) for popularizing the “Waiter, there’s a fly in my soup!” joke.

Quick Botany Fact

Most mammals are immune to the skin irritants produced by poison ivy. The only mammals which are not immune are humans, most aquatic mammals and armadillos. The poison is mainly effective against reptiles. Archaeobotanists believe that the genetic ancestors of the poison ivy plant developed the irritant as a defense against herbivorous dinosaurs like the stegosaurus and others.