1) The croissant, a flaky and buttery pastry, is an iconic French delicacy. It is made by layering dough with butter, rolling and folding it multiple times to create a laminated structure. The croissant can be enjoyed plain or filled with various ingredients, such as chocolate, almond paste, or ham and cheese. It has become popular worldwide and is a staple in breakfast menus and bakeries, symbolizing French culinary expertise and savoir-faire.

2) The painting "The Scream" by Edvard Munch is an iconic work of art that depicts a figure in anguish and has become a symbol of existential angst.

3) The concept of insurance dates back to ancient times when merchants would distribute their goods across different ships to reduce the risk of losing everything in a single event.

4) The universe is estimated to be around 13.8 billion years old.