Surprising discoveries from the week of April 10: Pooh, Mario, and Martin

We’ve rounded up the most interesting discoveries from last week’s Quartz Daily Brief newsletters. Get the Daily Brief in your inbox every morning, for free! Each day includes a section with surprising discoveries, along with a selection of important and interesting news from the global economy, curated by Quartz.

A person's hands, holding two versions of the Taiwanese patches, both showing a black bear with red eyes punching Winnie the Pooh. One says We are open 24/7 and the other says Fight for freedom. Both say Scramble!

Photo: Carlos Garcia Rawlins (Reuters)

A bicycle with square wheels on a paved surface.

Screenshot: YouTube – The Q (Other)

Riding a square-wheeled bicycle actually works—it’s just like pedaling a tank, if that’s the sort of thing you’re into.

Gif: CBS / Giphy

ChatGPT and its competitors may be dressed to impress, but chess-playing AI Martin chess robot is glad to be bad.

We now know humans used psychoactive drugs in Europe 3,000 years ago. Hair samples don’t lie!

Read more about psilocybin—we’re obsessed. ⬇️

Gif: Giphy

The original 1985 version of the Super Mario Bros. theme song was added to the US Library of Congress, and called one of the “defining sounds of [the] nation’s history.” But what about the 1UP noise??

Our best wishes for a productive week filled with surprising discoveries. The Quartz Daily Brief is free, but reader support helps make Quartz available to all—become a member today!

Read More
Susan Howson

Business seminar in Munich highlights Hong Kong’s strategic roles amidst global shifts (with photos)

Business seminar in Munich highlights Hong Kong's strategic roles amidst global shifts (with photos) ******************************************************************************************      The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin), promoted Hong Kong's unique advantages and strategic roles at the seminar "Hong Kong's strategic role amidst geopolitical tensions" on June 18 (Munich time) in Munich, Germany.             Senior executives, investors

AI for business services: From job fears to productivity

AI for business services: From job fears to productivity

Business Insurance-AZ Achieves Record Response Times for 2026 Arizona Construction Bids

Business Insurance-AZ achieves milestone response speeds for commercial construction bids across Arizona, accelerating documentation delivery to keep local projects moving forward without delay. Phoenix, AZ, June 06-2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Business Insurance-AZ has achieved record-breaking processing speeds and response times for commercial construction bids throughout Arizona, directly supporting the state’s massive infrastructure and advanced manufacturing boom