Today I Learned 🎓

19 Nov 2024 02:49

TIL Max Planck, the father of quantum theory, considered his quantum hypothesis just a mathematical trick to get the right answer rather than a sizable discovery until Einstein interpreted his hypothesis realistically and used it to explain physical phenomena. [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

18 Nov 2024 23:50

TIL the pilot episode of Star Trek Voyager was one of the most expensive television episodes ever produced, costing $23 million [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

18 Nov 2024 21:50

TIL there were no casualties in the 2022 Cyprus earthquake besides 1,600 chickens that died in a stampede caused by their panic [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

18 Nov 2024 19:49

TIL until the 1980’s, US television stations would sign off at the end of the broadcasting day, and before they cut to static for the rest of the night, they would often play short clips of American landmarks and US military imagery in a patriotic montage accompanied by the star spangled banner. [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

18 Nov 2024 17:49

TIL that during the 1908 London Olympics, the United Kingdom ordered every country to dip its flag in honor of King Edward VII. All except the United States did so, with the American flag bearer stating, "This flag dips to no earthly king." [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

18 Nov 2024 14:49

TIL during the filming of 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, it became a secret running joke between Tom Holland and Michael Keaton that Keaton would often whisper in a deep voice“I’m Batman” in Tom’s ear on set during a few fight scenes. [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

18 Nov 2024 13:49

TIL That McDonald's was forced to discontinue the production, and distribution, of their spoon shaped coffee stirrers after it was discovered they had become popular among cocaine users. [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

18 Nov 2024 12:49

TIL that orcas spend their entire lives with their mothers. Only one whale is known to have survived alone: Luna (or Tsux'iit) was young when separated and ended up in Nootka Sound. He was adored by locals for his interactive and playful demeanor, seeking socialization intensely without his pod. [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

18 Nov 2024 07:49

TIL a study shows time passes 4 nanoseconds faster per day at the 450m-high Tokyo Skytree observation deck than at ground level. A University of Tokyo professor said clocks "will become tools for measuring time and space, such as differences in altitude, in line with the theory of relativity". [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

18 Nov 2024 05:49

TIL that Jordan Rice, a 13-year-old Australian boy, became a symbol of courage during devastating floods when he sacrificed his life to save his younger brother. Despite his fear of water, his selfless act continues to inspire as a story of true heroism. [Source]

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18 Nov 2024 02:49

TIL Buzz Lightyear was originally named Lunar Larry [Source]

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18 Nov 2024 00:49

TIL: The US developed the chemical compound Cyanogen Chloride for use in WW2 against Japan. It is a highly toxic blood agent that could penetrate gas masks. Truman decided against using it and opted for the atom bomb. It is now listed in the Chemical Weapons Convention and has never been deployed. [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

17 Nov 2024 22:49

TIL the CIA struggled to recruit candidates who had visible tattoos because such markings made agents easier to identify. This rule has been relaxed, but it once limited their ability to hire otherwise qualified applicants. [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

17 Nov 2024 19:49

TIL that rattlesnakes can form "friendships", and being in the presence of their friend reduces their stress. [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

17 Nov 2024 17:49

TIL Joseph Smith once ran for president, and would've been the first assassinated unelected candidate if his run was taken seriously [Source]

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19 Nov 2024 00:49

TIL the 1987 movie Million Dollar Mystery was promoted with a real contest in which $1 million were hidden in an undisclosed location that the winner would correctly identify. 14-year-old Alesia Lenae Jones won the contest. [Source]

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18 Nov 2024 23:50

TIL In 1855, a Portuguese writer who didn't speak English wrote a book in English full of unintentional errors. The book ended up being famous, with a version prefaced by Mark Twain. [Source]

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18 Nov 2024 19:49

TIL Hitler was almost killed by a malfunctioning V-1 bomb after it hit his headquarters where he was planning his defense against the Normandy landings. [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

18 Nov 2024 19:49

TIL Tommy Cooper was a Welsh magician/comedian whose shtick was "a clumsy magician messes up his tricks". He had a massive heart attack, collapsed and died on stage during a live broadcast, in front of 12 million viewers, with studio audience laughing at what they thought was just one of his acts. [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

18 Nov 2024 15:50

TIL a bear in a state park got into campers’ coolers and used claws & teeth to puncture beer cans; Fish & Wildlife Sgt. Bill Heinck said the bear tried a can of Busch, ignored the rest, then drank about 36 Rainier beers. They caught it a live trap baited with donuts, honey, open cans of Rainier. [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

18 Nov 2024 14:49

TIL that in July 2018, Russian scientists collected and analysed 300 prehistoric worms from the permafrost and thawed them. 2 of the ancient worms revived and began to move and eat. One is dated at 32,000 years old, the other 41,700 years old. [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

18 Nov 2024 12:49

TIL about the uniquly designed magic roundabout in Swindon, UK which has consistently ranked in the top four worst roundabouts in various survies and studies. It has an outer main circle that carries traffic clockwise and five mini-roundabouts connected to it that carry traffic anti-clockwise. [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

18 Nov 2024 10:49

TIL Actor David Arquette was briefly made the world heavyweight champion of World Championship Wrestling to promote the movie Ready to Rumble; both the movie and the wrestling run were financial failures [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

18 Nov 2024 05:49

TIL of James Clyman, an American "Mountain Man" who wrote one of the accounts of Hugh Glass' bear mauling (subject of 'The Revenant' starring Leonardo Dicaprio) and advised the infamous Donner-Reed Party not to take their fatal shortcut along The Oregon Trail. [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

18 Nov 2024 04:49

TIL of no burp syndrome, a condition where the cricopharyngeus muscle doesn’t relax preventing air from leaving the stomach. It leads to bloating and flatulence and can be treated with botox. [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

18 Nov 2024 01:49

TIL the US Navy had no idea Cher would be wearing a racy outfit when they agreed to let her film “If I Could Turn Back Time” on the battleship *Missouri*. They didn’t see her now-iconic fishnet bodysuit until filming started. The crew’s crazy reaction is genuine. [Source]

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17 Nov 2024 23:49

TIL that Norway has a custom of hanging portraits of the king and other members of the royal family in the bathroom [Source]

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17 Nov 2024 20:49

TIL Tama-chan, a male bearded seal spotted in 2002 in Tokyo’s Tama River. He was granted honorary residency registration because of his massive publicity and this sparked protests from foreign residents over the fact that such registration was only open to Japanese citizens. [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

17 Nov 2024 18:49

TIL of Butterball's turkey cooking hotline. Every year they receive 10,000+ (panicked?) calls around Thanksgiving from people looking for tips on how to cook their turkey [Source]

Today I Learned 🎓

17 Nov 2024 16:49

TIL that the power density in the Solar core is about 276.5watts/m3, less than the power density produced by the metabolism of an adult human. [Source]