stackyFACTSCounting hearths was the easiest way for officials to guess a family's wealth. Naturally, citizens responded to the aggressive inspections by simply sealing off their extra fireplaces, choosing to suffer through brutal winter freezes rather than pay a premium for being warm.
Keep exploring facts in this topic.
Economy →STACKY FOR IPHONEKeep discovering with Stacky. Interesting facts in an app that is always within reach.
Telling time was considered too fancy for the commoner. The government applied an annual charge to every clock and pocket watch, predictably resulting in…
Discover more
The origin of the phrase 'paying through the nose' is much more literal and gruesome than your crippling student loan payments. Back in the 9th century,…
Discover more
Fighting in armor is dangerous, so rich knights simply bought their way out. The crown happily accepted 'shield money' instead of actual military service,…
Discover more
If you thought your payroll deductions were bad, try starting a business in West Africa. According to historical World Bank data, the Ivory Coast imposes a…
Discover more
The government already knows exactly what you owe, but forces you to do complex math anyway. If you guess the numbers wrong, they enthusiastically penalize you.
Discover more
Because the taxman will absolutely hunt you down in low Earth orbit. The IRS explicitly outlines tax liabilities for income generated in outer space, ensuring…
Discover more