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Learning doesn’t stop the moment you get your diploma. Finishing kindergarten with flying colors? Acing middle school? Graduating high school? Finishing college? Getting your mitts on that coveted PhD that proves you always had it in you? They’re all amazing accomplishments, but they pale in comparison to what matters the most: keeping the spark of curiosity alive as you grow up and get older.
The ‘Today I Learned’ online group on Reddit is a community that celebrates lifelong learning, knowledge, and showing off our collective curiosity about the world. In short, for any Harry Potter fans out there (probably most of you Pandas, right?), it’s probably the most Ravenclaw place on the internet. A whopping 26.3 million fact-loving redditors call it their home and help make the internet a more enlightened place.
We’ve collected some of the most interesting and intriguing facts for you to enjoy today, as featured on TIL. Make sure you’ve got your thinking caps on before scrolling down, Pandas! Upvote your fave facts and don’t forget to share the best ones with your friends. Knowing stuff is great, but it becomes brilliant the moment you share the wisdom with others, whether it’s via social media or at a fancy dinner party.
Author and child independence expert Lenore Skenazy helped Bored Panda understand how to fall in love with learning and how it’s related to the things we’re most interested in. Lenore is the president of Let Grow and the founder of the Free-Range Kids movement. You’ll find her brilliant insights about how we’ve all “narrowed down our idea of what learning” and how “our species is built to learn” below, Pandas, so be sure to read on.
PS—For those of you whose curiosity can’t be sated with just these facts, don’t worry, we’ve got dessert. Take a peek at Bored Panda’s earlier articles about the wonderful TIL community here, here, and here.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
TIL that Curly from "The Three Stooges" saved and rescued more than 5,000 dogs during his lifetime. He used to bring stray dogs home and sheltered them until he found a home for them. When the Stooges was on tour, he found at least one stray dog a new home in every town he visited.
Otter 4 years ago
That is the single best thing I've ever heard about the Three Stooges. A low bar, I know...
Synsepalum 4 years ago
Slap Stick comedy is an artform requiring impeccable timing and an extreme amount of trust in your co-stars. It may look simple, but to truly master it requires a masterclass in choreography.
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Lindsey Judd-Bruder 4 years ago
And when Curly had a devastating stroke, Moe became his full-time caregiver. He cared for him until the day he died. While still making films, too.
“How do you fall in love with learning? You don’t. You fall in love with something that you love to do— drawing, kicking a ball, playing make-believe, walking in the woods, reading…,” Lenore, the president of Let Grow, told Bored Panda in an interview via email.
“All of those things involve learning. If they didn’t, you’d be bored and you’d stop doing them. Instead, as a kid AND as an adult, you get into something and do it because each time you get a little better, or try a slightly different technique. In a game, you’re ALWAYS thinking and learning because the ball never comes to you in exactly the same way twice. In the woods, there’s always something new to look at, climb or poke. In play, you have to react to the other person. And you pick up a book to fall into another world and learn all about it,” she explained that part of what makes us love certain activities is that we’re constantly improving and learning. Bit by bit.
According to Lenore, we’ve narrowed down what our idea of learning really is. Nowadays, learning is most closely associated with school and formal education, but this goes against the grain of what was true for most of human history. “We think it’s what happens in a classroom, and the proof is on a test. Considering that most humans didn’t even HAVE school till maybe 100 or 200 years ago, that’s very strange. The species had to be smart enough to survive and it did so by learning to farm, raise kids, fish, build boats—you name it. Our species is built to learn. Curiosity and drive turn that superpower on.”
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#2
TIL of an Australian diver who befriended a baby shark. For years afterwards, whenever the shark would see him, she would swim up to him and demand cuddles
Nixxy 4 years ago
We have a rooster who is pretty much the same. Since he is blind my mum cuddles him all the time and he makes purring noises, thought the one that can see attacks her every day.
Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago
The shark pictured is a Port Jackson which are pretty docile and not that dangerous. These are quite common where I live.
Random Person 4 years ago
I've seen a lot of their eggs, which are really cool but not the actual shark itself.
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Stephanie IV 4 years ago
Mammals very clearly have the urge to bond. We could have world peace.
Aldhissla VargTimmen 4 years ago
I hate to be an asshat but sharks aren't mammals?
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Riley Quinn 4 years ago
Little bits of insight into these prehistoric creatures is quite amazing.
#3
TIL alpacas are being used as bodyguards in some turkey farms, since they instinctively accept the birds into their herd and scare off foxes.
Missy Corron 4 years ago
I have some turkeys that need guarding....ok, maybe it's just my hubby and 3 teenagers, but still... best guard ever.
Earl Grey 4 years ago
And TIL how to tell the difference between a llama and an alpaca: https://modernfarmer.com/2015/09/difference-between-llama-and-alpaca/
Calypso poet 4 years ago
Whenever I'm at a zoo and people tell their kids the llama is an alpaca 🤦🏻♀️😂
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Jackie Nettleton 4 years ago
In some countries farmers use llamas and jackasses to protect their herds as they will attack and chase of foxes and coyotes.
Lenore put it simply that in order to fall in love with learning, you have to fall in love with something that’s either interesting to you or essential. “The learning comes automatically,” she said.
I was curious whether keeping our kids surrounded with books at home can be a plus. Lenore noted that we shouldn’t discount other learning resources either. “Having books at home can help a child find new things to fall into—but so does YouTube. Remember: every new technology is distrusted at first,” she pointed out that Socrates hated the idea that people had started writing down ideas instead of memorizing them.
“So yes books are great. But don’t ignore all the skills, hobbies, facts, and new things kids can learn online as well. If you’re worried about the bad stuff, install some filters. But learning from a podcast or DIY video is still LEARNING. Think of all the things you have learned since your formal schooling ended. Learning doesn’t only take place in a classroom or book!” she said.
#4
TIL that even though Henry Heimlich demonstrated his signature maneuver thousands of times throughout his life he never got the chance to use it in an actual emergency until he was 96 when he saved a woman in his nursing home from choking on a burger
Dorothy Parker 4 years ago
My husband used the Heimlich maneuver on a coworker when a group went out to lunch. After lunch they were waiting to cross a busy street on the way back to the office. He saw a car was cutting the corner and saved the coworker a second time in an hour when he pulled her out of the path of the car.
Okasan Willis 4 years ago
I had to use it on my daughter when she (at 18 months)was choking on cereal
Elsker 4 years ago
Also, I recall having read somewhere he didn't invent it, he's 'just' the one writing it up
Ralph Watkins 3 years ago
A small framed nurse I worked with was trying to do this on a patient with a very large belly. It was funny to see since her arms didn't even reach halfway around the guy's body. The Heimlich doesn't always clear so easily like in training. You keep doing it until the obstruction clears. On stubborn blockages, it's best to do in the lying position.
#5
TIL Agatha Christie has outsold Stephen King and J.K Rowling combined by about 2 billion books.
Vorknkx 4 years ago
One of the things I inherited from my late grandma - a sizeable collection of Agatha Christie books.
Alethia Nyx 4 years ago
You would be one of many who have, from their grandma's, mum's, dad's, uncle's etc, which is why this doesn't surprise me.
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Seabeast 4 years ago
Well, she did start writing nearly 100 years ago. The other two need time to catch up.
K.Kobayashi 4 years ago (edited)
Stephen King started writing 50 years ago, and Rowling, 25 years ago. Agatha Christie has sold >8x more than either.
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S. Tor Storm 4 years ago
well, she has been dead for a lot of years. Give Rowling and King 50-60 more years and we'll see
Chewie Baron 4 years ago
She's the best selling fictional author of all time period. The only book that has outsold her is the Bible.
Night Owl 4 years ago
We need to change that. Buy Agatha Christie instead of Bibles
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Rhon Young 4 years ago
I have a copy of every book Agatha Christie wrote as Agatha Christie plus a couple of books written under her married name.
Riley Quinn 4 years ago
Well, the old gal's been around a bit longer, so she did get a head start.
Mattewis88 4 years ago
She sparked my interest in Criminology, reading her books in Primary School.
#6
TIL James Michael Tyler, who played Gunther the barista on “Friends” was originally meant to only appear as an extra; he remained on the show as he was the only actor there who knew how to operate an espresso machine.
Vorknkx 4 years ago
On a somewhat related note - the coffee shop's owner, Terry, who appeared only a couple of times throughout the entire show, was played by Max Wright, a.k.a. Willie Tanner from the clasic sitcom "ALF".
Vicky Z 4 years ago
I barely remember him but i do remember phoebe's song when he fired her: Terry is a jerk and he won't let me work and I hate Central Park😅😅😅😅
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Lord Mysticlaw 4 years ago
Welp, take note all the aspiring actors currently working as baristas – not a useless skill
Rick 4 years ago
In the past few days, I’ve been trying to find out if this is true, but I only ever saw it from one source and can’t find it anymore. But is it true that JMT auditioned for Joey but didn’t get it, but told his friend (possibly roomate) Matt LeBlanc who successfully got the part, and then persuaded them to let JMT audition for Gunther? I can’t find this anywhere, even the place I originally read it, but it sounded true, and I also thought Matt LeBlanc’s tribute to him on Twitter sounded more personal, calling him “my friend”. Anyone?
Jo Davies 4 years ago
I don't think so. I know he was on an episode of Matt lê Blanc's Episodes, where he auditioned for a part.
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“When kids play without adult intervention (and what is doing a hobby but playing?) they learn all sorts of social-emotional skills we want them to have: Patience, curiosity, frustration-tolerance, focus. At Let Grow we encourage schools to start a Let Grow Play Club before or after school when kids have that crucial time to just figure out how to have fun and make something happen. (Our implementation guide for this is free, too.)” Lenore gave some great advice for school staff.
“Kids need some time to goof up, noodle around, and find their interests. You probably had a chance for all of that when you were young, before we decided that every moment should be ‘teachable’—as in, taught by a wise adult. If you thought you got something from your ‘wasted’ time, please assume your kids will too. Starting now!”
#7
TIL the ancient Egyptians developed the first recorded early pregnancy test, whereby a woman would urinate on a bag of wheat or barley and, if the bag started sprouting, it indicated a pregnancy. In 1963, researchers measured the test as being 70% accurate.
The Scout 4 years ago
This phenomenon works with the influence of progenity hormons on plant development, and surprisingly good at that. Egyptian medicine was highly developed and specialized. "Everything is full of doctors!" the greek Herodotus noted in amazement in his time, "There are doctors for the eyes, for the head, for the teeth, for the abdomen, and for the internal diseases." This standard of healthcare was not something he was used to.
Mosheh Wolf 4 years ago
The grain will start sprouting in any case, but the hormones in the urine of a pregnant woman will cause the sprouting to be earlier and quicker. Weird, and sounds fake or like pseudoscience, but it's evidently true.
Ralph Watkins 3 years ago
People connected the dots. They observed an incident & then noticed a correlation between a woman peeing on the seeds & then showing she was pregnant. Sorta how folks today come up with wild conspiracy theories. Sometimes things prove to be true.
Riley Quinn 4 years ago
The medical knowledge of ancient Egyptians and Persians continues to astound.
Anita Pickle 4 years ago
Remember when doctors used to inject a poor rabbit with a woman's blood?
#8
TIL A duet sung by Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson remained unfinished because Mercury walked out of the recording. He couldn’t tolerate Jackson bringing his pet llama into the studio
Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago
Bummer, would have been interesting to hear since both are in my top 5 faves.
Rick 4 years ago
The Prince/MJ “Bad” duet didn’t happen either because of the first line “Your butt is mine”. Prince said: “ Who is gonna sing that to whom? Because you ain't saying it to me and I sure ain't saying it to you.”
Donkey boi 4 years ago
Sorry but this is wholly true! While it is true Freddie walked out because of the llama, and MJ complaining about Freddie's drug use, it was fully recorded (it was in the post production stage). It was called 'There Must Be More To Life Than This'. They also worked together on 2 other songs 'State of shock' and 'Victory'. The initial recordings were not released due to legal disagreements. 'There Must Be More...' was re-recorded by Freddie for his solo album. 'State of shock' was re-recorded by the Jacksons with Freddie's part being done by Mick Jagger from The Rolling Stones. After the death of Michael Jackson, the remaining members of Queen tried securing the rights to to all 3 songs but due to difficulties dealing with the Jackson Estate only managed to secure one. 'There Must Be More To Life Than This' Ft Michael Jackson was released on the 'Queen Forever' album in 2014. 'Victory' is still locked away somewhere.
No you didn't 4 years ago
Come on! There are a lot of things to criticize about Michael Jackson, but him bringing a pet lama is none of them.
Bunny Lady 4 years ago
Aw Freddie man! You've just slipped a little in my view. Anyone who has a problem with an animal loses points with me.
#9
TIL David Bowie considered becoming a Buddhist monk, & studied for a few months in 1967 before a Lama told him he should follow music instead. His ashes were scattered in Bali in accordance with Buddhist rituals
Caro Caro 4 years ago
I did not know this. David was such a lovely man and a great artist. Good thing the Lama told him to pursue music or we would have missed out big time.
katrina hunt 4 years ago
In February I’ll be naming my first son Bowie to honor this amazing man!
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Otter 4 years ago
Tom Baker of "Doctor Who" fame actually *was* a monk for a couple of years, before he became an actor! He also played Rasputin, and I'm sure having experience as a monk helped him get that role.
Marcellus II 4 years ago (edited)
Why are you sure experience being a buddhist monk would favour him for the role of a crazed russian orthodox christian monk? There's almost no overlap except the English designation of 'monk'... One can marry, drink alcohol, and eat meat the other one doesn't, for starters.
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Sunshine Sunshine 4 years ago (edited)
I wonder what kind of advice an Alpaca would have given him
A few months back, I reached out to the team at Age UK to understand lifelong learning, keeping our minds sharp and bright, and how we can facilitate it all as we grow older. Age UK is the country’s leading charity that wants to help everyone make the most of later life.
At the core of keeping our minds healthy lies the fact that we need to take the best possible care of our bodies. What’s more, we have to continuously explore new interests and keep ourselves socializing as much as we can.
"Hobbies add color and variety to all our lives so it’s good to help to inspire others to take up new interests. New hobbies and interests can help maintain social connections and reduce feelings of loneliness and it’s a great way to learn new skills. Taking part in social activities may help us to stay sharp in later life,” a representative of Age UK explained to Bored Panda during an interview.
#10
TIL that in 1997, a 50-pound pumpkin was speared atop a tower at Cornell University, 173 feet in the air. It stayed in place for months. Alumni are still trying to figure out who did it without being noticed -- and how.
Angela B 4 years ago
I really admire pranks that are technically difficult and don't damage anything. Pranksters, I salute thee! Excellent work!
Otter 4 years ago
Do they have a school of Engineering there? All the best impossible pranks come from schools of engineering.
Eithne Griffiths 4 years ago
Engineering students used to paint the dome of the observatory orange every year, despite there being guards posted. University of Western Ontario,London,Canada.
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Kinslee the witches apprentice 4 years ago
I guess they used the plane in the background to put it up there
Robert T 4 years ago
Try it with a car: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-21604591
earringnut 4 years ago
Reminds me of the annual University of Michigan pranks.
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TIL Hippos sleep underwater even though they breathe air. They automatically close their nostrils and surface to breathe every 3-5 minutes. This all happens unconsciously, even in their sleep.
Otter 4 years ago
What's gonna bother a hippo while they have their underwater nap? Not even a crocodile!
Monday 4 years ago
Another hippo perhaps? I think the only animal that would intentionally bother a hippo is another hippo.
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Randy Klefbeck 3 years ago
Yep. I spent years at the original park. I can't remember which or the name but that is one of the animatronic species on the jungle cruise ride.
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Randy Klefbeck 3 years ago
That is a Disney jungle cruise (not the movie) hippo in this photo.
#12
TIL inventor of the Murphy-Bed, William Lawrence Murphy (1856-1957), created his first hide-away bed as means to convert his one-room apartment into a parlour, specifically to host the company of his future wife. It was considered inappropriate at the time to for a woman to enter a man's bedroom.
Two_rolling_black_eyes 4 years ago
All of civilization. We'd still be chasing animals with our bare hands if Thag didn't want some alone time with Unga but we need to quit carrying the kid everywhere to do what.
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Ralph Watkins 3 years ago
And horny women got men to invent all kinds of things & then the women destroyed the men. Good job ladies.
Juma Lingura 4 years ago
I find it funny that there is no consensus regarding when he was born and when he died. I found from different sources 1876–1957, 1856-1957 and 1876–1959.
Stephanie Keith 4 years ago
What was the reasoning behind a woman not being able to go into a man's bedroom? How is it inappropriate and how did it come into play? Very interested in knowing the answer to all that.
Sam Chilton 4 years ago
Tradition, religious reasons etc. If the couple weren't married, they didn't live together, and a non-related woman shouldn't enter a man's abode unless they're having intercourse outside of wedlock, which was looked down upon.
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"If joining clubs and classes are not an option, or your loved one doesn’t feel ready to start going outside yet, there are still ways to help them engage with new hobbies. Making sure older family members have everything they need to take up or continue hobbies, such as arts and crafts or wool if they are a keen knitter, ingredients if they are a budding chef or even the right tools for DIYing, can help," Age UK detailed how we can help seniors in our own lives stay interested in their hobbies. Having all the materials at hand means it’s more likely that you’ll do the activity you want to instead of putting it off.
"Doing activities together such as the gardening can be a great incentive too, or maybe help them research locally to see if there is a neighborly Book Club dial-in they could join. If your loved one finds it hard to stay physically active, or doesn’t know where to start, take a look at Age UK’s information on keeping active, which has ideas of activities for everyone. Even encouraging older friends and relatives to settle in with a favorite book or audiobook, do some cooking, listen to the radio while doing a puzzle, or tuning in to an afternoon radio play can help emotional wellbeing and mental health,” the Age UK representative explained.
#13
TIL: The aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has a reverse osmosis system capable of producing more than 500 tonnes of fresh, drinkable water from sea water per day.
Otter 4 years ago
California needs to start looking into large-scale desalinization technology. Start now!
Ellie Rosser 4 years ago
It gobbles energy. Be better if people stopped wasting so much water!
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Bill Dolman 4 years ago
That isn't as much as you might think. The average person uses about 90 gallons of water per day. The weight of 90 US gallons of water is about 750 lbs. 500 tonnes = 1,200,000 lbs. Divide that by 750, and you get 1600. So this system would serve a community of about 1600 people (about right for an aircraft carrier, eh?). It would take a lot more to serve more.
Dodo 4 years ago
The HMS Queen Elizabeth's capacity actually is 1600 people. So maybe they calculated it for that specifically.
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Brandy Grote 4 years ago
Every US military ship and submarine has them, producing over 800 tons, or 200,000 gallons daily. And yes, they are trying to get ships to continue to produce fresh water while in port in California. It wouldn't completely replace water resources, but during emergencies, like this current drought, it could be worth it!
Victor Botha 4 years ago
California needs to look at rainwater harvesting instead of just letting it run away into stormwater drains etc. Desalination just finds up making the oceans slightly more salty because the the salt tailings are pumped back into the ocean
Hannah Edwards 4 years ago
I think it’ uses a lot of energy to do it, so is very expensive and not good for marine life that can get hoovered up along with the water.
Ralph Watkins 3 years ago
This is nothing new. Navy ships during WW-II created drinking water from sea water. CA won't go to this b/c they are are against most things that use too much energy. Even if their population dies of dehydration. Fatal environmentalism.
#14
TIL Switzerland has 7 simultaneous "presidents", each with equal power. Every year they rotate control of 7 federal depts & who acts as "head of state" (e.g. when dealing with other countries). They come from various parties — right now it's 2 conservatives, 2 liberals, 2 socialists, and a centrist
J Garza 4 years ago
Are you paying attention United States government? A two party system makes everyone into Anakin Skywalker, " If you are not with me, then you are against me". Everyone is either "good" or "evil" depending on who is in charge. Half the population is always unhappy.
Tunk 4 years ago
"Its a two party preferred system. You have to vote for one of us." Kang and Kodos.
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mulk 4 years ago
In Switzerland, citizen have big power. The two best one are: the Initiative and The Referendum. The Initiative: if you have a project of a new law (for i.e.) and you found 100'000 people who agreed with your project and sign it, you can bring it to "vox populi" (citizen will vote). The referendum: if you disagree with a Parliament decision/vote, and you found 50'000 people in 100 days to sign your referendum, then the government must submit his decision to citizen vote
Kanuli 4 years ago
Almost correct. Citizens don’t vote for the laws but for a change of the Swiss Federal Constitution, and based on this the politicians make the laws. This also means that a change can afterwards be implemented a bit differently than initially wished for.
Load More Replies... Hannah Edwards 4 years ago
Doesn’t rotating them mean that each new head of department wants to change what the one before just did? Are the government departments in a constant state of flux? It sounds chaotic! I’m genuinely intrigued as to how it works. Any Pandas work in these departments?
Follo00 4 years ago
What rotates is the role of «president». When a new Council is elected, he gets one of 7 departments. He/she keeps this dept. for at least 4 years. Every 4 years the Councils have to be re-elected, at that moment, they can trade depts. If they want. But the “president” doesn’t have more power than the other, it is just a title so that other head of states know who to deal with.
Load More Replies... mulk 4 years ago
Just a note from a Swiss guy (me): Conservatives and Liberals are from the right, in Switzerland ;)
Zedrapazia 4 years ago
Hello, fellow Swiss! Nice to see I'm not the only one here, Grüezi!
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Tee Witt 4 years ago
I keep hearing how bad socialism is, but many European countries seem to embrace it, so who is right?
Rachel McManus 3 years ago
J. Garza, Perfectly stated!! Unfortunately most governments have a hearing problem!
Riley Quinn 4 years ago
On the surface, I like this idea. Sure beats the moronic 2-party system the US has.
#15
TIL Gordon Ramsay has 16 Michelin Stars. Only two chefs have ever earned more.
Not A Panda 4 years ago
I like how his public persona (with adults) and his real persona are two such different things that I've made friends drop their jaws on the floor when showing his show with kids, or interviews with him. He really does over do the angry chef bit so well people believe it.
Dave van Es 4 years ago
Gordon Ramsey only acts that angry when the people refuse to listen. If you're willing to own up to your mistakes, and want to learn how to improve it, he will be kind. The persona is to those that should know better
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Robert T 4 years ago
The two above him are: Joël Robuchon, 31 Michelin Stars; Alain Ducasse, 21 Michelin Stars.
Supernatural 4 years ago
There's so much f*****g oil on that plate the US are planning to invade!! ....classic..
Kay blue 4 years ago
I met him at the Good Food Show when he was just beginning to make a name for himself. I was in my teens, about 15, and he was a really nice guy, he spent time chatting with us and encouraging us to have a career in food. Some of the other chefs barely even looked at us when we asked for an autograph.
Dodo 4 years ago
He's really played up the angry image since going to the States. I think people wanted a chef version of Simon Cowell.
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troufaki13 4 years ago
So when he says "Greek cuisine is better than Italian cuisine" YOU BETTER BELIEVE HIM!! hahaha
Fiona Parky 4 years ago
I’m not ashamed to say I’m a bit of a foodie. I’ve met quite a few chefs including Gordon Ramsay. He was completely charming, no shouting and in fact none of the “I’m a celebrity respect me!” rubbish. Just nice. I’m also a huge fan of Glynn Purnell ,Mary Berry and Clarissa Dickson Wright. Well let’s face it I’m just a foodie.
"Having a hobby or learning new skills, whatever form they take, is important. And while for many they provide a nice way to spend spare time and an opportunity to interact with friends over a shared pursuit, for those with less social contacts it can give life a real sense of purpose and routine."
We can also exercise our minds by doing mentally stimulating activities. Puzzles and games are great ways to keep our minds sharp while also having a boatload of fun. "If we want our brain to stay in peak condition, we should use it. In fact, one of the theories about reducing or delaying cognitive aging is referred to as the 'use it or lose it' theory. Research shows that things like learning languages helps keep us brighter as we age. It is just as important to look after your brain by exercising your thinking skills, as you would do physical exercise to look after your body."
#16
TIL that when Hattie McDaniel became the first black person to win an Academy Award (for her performance in "Gone with the Wind") in 1940, she was seated at a segregated table at the side of the room
The Scout 4 years ago
Cinematic legend says that only an intervention by her collegues made it possible for her even to be at the ceremony at all. McDaniel's role was much of a cliche, and a racist one at that, but as she pointedly put it: “Why should I complain about making $700 a week playing a maid? If I didn't, I’d be making $7 a week being one.”
Otter 4 years ago
Olivia DeHaviland was up for the same Oscar, both were in "GWTW". DeHavilland was angry when McDaniel won, and her friends told her in no uncertain terms to shut her trap, because McDaniel's win was historic and benefitted a lot more people than just one actor. DeHavilland shut her trap.
Rick 4 years ago (edited)
De Havilland admitted to being dramatically pained by word of her loss. “Well, I was only 22!” she said, laughing about it 64 years later. “At the table, I was able to keep my composure until it was all over and then one tear started down my cheek. [The producer’s wife] Irene Selznick saw that and said, ‘Come with me!’ and we went into the kitchen and then I really began to cry.” De Havilland said that after a few weeks, she got over her disappointment. McDaniel’s win was bigger than her, bigger even than the movie. Today it’s still monumental, a fact that struck the white actress eventually. “Two weeks later…I woke up one morning and thought, ‘That’s absolutely wonderful that Hattie got the award!’ Hattie deserved it and she got it,” de Havilland said in 2004. “I thought I’d much rather live in a world where a Black actress who gave a marvelous performance got the award instead of me. I’d rather live in that kind of world.” STOP LYING ABOUT A DEAD WOMAN UNABLE TO DEFEND HERSELF.
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Sarah Stalder 4 years ago
It's still unbelievable to me that segregation ended so relatively recently
Brandy Grote 4 years ago
She was only there at all because they knew she was winning it. Just being nominated wasn't enough to invite her.
Sam Chilton 4 years ago
Ignorance. Fear. Anyone not considered similar/familiar was an enemy.. which is instinctual (through millions of years of evolution) but ultimately stupid and irrational.
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#17
TIL In 2019, a potato chip factory in Hong Kong found a World War I grenade in a shipment of French-grown potatoes, just as the potatoes were going through their processing machines.
Hans 4 years ago
I think the really stunning thing here is that potatoes are grown in France, shipped to Hong Kong, and probably the potato chips are then shipped much further...
Sam Dodd 4 years ago
This is actually not that rare, and there is actually a thing called the Iron Harvest in France and Belgium. People are still killed by live ordinance and there are still areas that are unsafe due to the danger from it still in the ground.
Hannah Hudson-Lee 4 years ago
When the BBC News covered this story, they used the headline, "Bombe du Terre".
Russell Bowman 4 years ago
I believe that is a UK Mills gernade. In use from late WWI up until the 70's. By the way ... if not obvious ... it should not have shipped with the potatoes. It is obviously a pineapple.
Alexandru Bucur 4 years ago
The picture is indeed of a Mills bomb, more specifically a 36M from WW2. The grenade found in Hong King was actually a German "Kugelhandgranate" 1915 NA (Globe grenade 1915 Neuer Art, "new model"), heavily corroded and covered in dirt, so it really looked like a potato. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-47107609
Load More Replies... Daniel Atkins 4 years ago
Would you call it a boom potato? I'm feeling a bit chipper. Thank you and good night.
#18
TIL Swedes have a national weekly eating plan. Thursdays are traditionally pancakes and split pea soup.
Otter 4 years ago
In the US and Britain, there used to be the tradition of the "Sunday roast, and the Saturday night drinking binge.
Rickard Shen 3 years ago
In Sweden the standard Tuesday lunch is fried bacon-ish (thicker bacon) served with potato pancakes and lingonberry (similar to cranberry) jam. It's not that you have to eat this for lunch on Tuesdays, but you can count on most Swedish lunch restaurants offering it. The pea soup with pancakes on Thursdays is the strongest tradition though.
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Helga Zwemmer 4 years ago
The Netherlands: minced meat (meatballs) wednesday. Reason: butchers traditionally were closed on monday to take delivery, did the large cuts on tuesday and used the cutoffs from that to make minced meat on wednesday. Friday fishday which stems from the Catholics who were not allowed to eat the meat of landanimals and to get in protein, they resorted to fish. Saturday used to be soup and sandwich day when I grew up as the members of the household all had different things to do that day: work, sports, hobbies and clubactivities and got home at different hours so weren't able to sit down for a joint meal.
Goth Nurse 4 years ago
Finland here. It's here too. And the pea soup is green, unlike in the picture. Also mustard (not the sweet kind) belongs in the pea soup.
EvilK 4 years ago
English translation in Wikipedia says: "Consumption of pea soup in Sweden and Finland dates back to at least the 13th century, and is traditionally served on Thursdays. This is said to originate in the pre-Reformation era, as preparation for fasting on Fridays." But the Finnish translation also tells a story of how King Gustav Vasa got tired of people paying their taxes in peas, so he ordered everyone to eat pea-soup on Thursdays so there would be less peas to be paid as tax. It might not be true, but I find it funny.
Load More Replies... Not A Panda 4 years ago
Lots of countries have that. It's Wednesday is mincemeat day in The Netherlands for instance (or at least used to be, we don't do that anymore).
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
And Friday fish day because of some Catholic superstition. Don't know what anymore. I left the cult decades ago.
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Nisse Danielsson 4 years ago
It´s only on thursdays, but in the past decade Taco´s is for fridays "Taco-fredag" but that is due to a comercial.
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Have you picked up something new about growing to love learning keeping your minds active as you grow older, dear Pandas? Which of these TIL facts caught your attention the most? What have you learned recently that you can’t wait to share with everyone else? What’s something new that you literally learned today? For example, just this morning, I relearned something that I’d forgotten for a while: how much I love the sound of my shoes crunching over frosted grass, just as the sun’s coming up. It’s a different kind of knowledge, it’s very personal, but, I think, just as valid.
#19
TIL that Confederate soldier Willis Meadows survived a shot to the eye at the battle of Vicksburg. 58 years later, he randomly almost choked to death in his own home until he coughed up a 1 ounce bullet. It was the same one that lodged into his head years earlier.
Hannah Edwards 4 years ago
I love stuff like this. Just googled him. The story made headlines, the shooter made contact with him and they became friends.
LeighAnne Brown-Pedersen 4 years ago
It had to have been in the sinus tracts to end up in the mouth. But still…weird!
Kiryn Silverwing 4 years ago
Probably not, considering lotteries were banned in this time period and didn't start being a thing again until the mid-1900s.
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Ann Coffman 4 years ago
It tried to kill the man a second time. What did he ever do to the bullet??
Load More Replies... Ralph Watkins 3 years ago
The 9mm bullet with casing in the pic isn't even close. 1 ounce ball or mini-ball round would be a serious hunk of lead. Most casualties in the Civil War died of "lead poisoning".
#20
TIL researchers were able to predict whether or not a couple will stay together with extreme accuracy based on one partner’s reaction to things that excited the other. For example, if a wife says “look at that beautiful bird” and the husband blows it off, that’s a strong indication they’ll divorce.
Not A Panda 4 years ago
I don't really think you need researchers to understand that if one person "blows off" (i.e. dismisses as unimportant, or even makes fun of it) something the other person finds important or enjoys, that the relationship is going to have issues.
James Doe 4 years ago
The notable information the researchers found is that it is this indication, over hundreds of other obvious behaviors that aren't good for a relationship, that has a great accuracy.
Load More Replies... Rhon Young 4 years ago
Yeah, I guess it all depends on how rudely the "blow it off" happens. The only thing my husband has shown excitement of was our own children and now our grandkids. Me, I get excited about lots of things. He has never made me feel bad about my excitement. We are very opposite in nature, he keeps things in where I show emotions very clearly!
Marcellus II 4 years ago (edited)
I've never been discouraged from looking at some Great Tits.
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CatWoman312 4 years ago (edited)
I’m a cat lover and own 2. Before my husband and I had got married we had a long distance relationship…like international long distance. He would ask me to send him pictures of my cats all the time and he would send me random pictures of cats he saw home in his country to make me smile. My friend thought this was weird. I told her that he loves me and when you love someone you love everything they love.
Brian Michael 4 years ago
Honestly I hate studies like this because it's all subjective. I am by nature a very calm and mild mannered person. My wife will show me things and or refer to things and I usually give a smile or a nod and that's how I am. We've been married 8 years and there isn't a day were we don't talk about anything or nothing. I don't feel that if you can't match enthusiasm about something it means you are doomed, it just means you don't have the same excitement for things.
BoopBoop 4 years ago
Yeah, but you don't just ignore her, right? The study doesn't say you have to "match enthusiasm" you just have to have a basic level of empathy for your partner.
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Sarah Spencer 4 years ago
Depends on what the thing is that you are excited about. I don't tend to have exactly the same interests as my partner, as long as there is enough overlap that we can enjoy sharing a decent amount of our lives. But when my (now ex) hubby was dismissive about my career aspirations - which were pretty important to me! - I took that as a worrying lack of support and it did ultimately end the relationship. (Career is trucking along nicely and current partner is supportive and always really proud of me which is very cute!)
Evelyn Haskins 4 years ago (edited)
My MIL used to do that to me (and mine). Kept on pointing out things and saying isn't that lovely/beautiful/ XYZ. My daughter finally stopped her. MIL said "Oh, aren't those flowers beautiful! " and Daughtert said "Yes. They look just like crumpled tissue paper!'
Anke Dieken 4 years ago
Well... I enjoy flowers, my husband not so much. I remember an incident when we saw a patch of different flowers in many colours and I said "Look, how beautiful". His answer: "Well, it's... colourful." He's just not into it, but we've been together 20 years now and I don't see any signs that this will change. Okay, I admit this is anecdotal but whatever.
Mary Jeffries 4 years ago
Gottman’s research. He calls it the 4 horsemen that indicate a relationship going sour. I’ve loved his books.
#21
TIL that the Luna Moth only survives 6-7 days once reaching adulthood because it has no mouth and dies of starvation.
Kaiserfranzgirl 4 years ago
No, an adult moth or butterfly's job is to breed and produce the next generation. They are also a food source for other animals at both larval and adult stages.
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Evelyn Haskins 4 years ago
Why do people worry about moths/butterflied have such a short life! They are wonderful lives as cate3rpillats and grubs, The "adult" is merely a means of producing more grubs and caterpillars.
#22
TIL Mice do not have a special appetite for cheese, and will eat it only for lack of better options; they actually favor sweet, sugary foods. It is unclear where the myth came from.
Otter 4 years ago
I love cheese! So much I assume everything in the universe has to love cheese as well.
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LeighAnne Brown-Pedersen 4 years ago
On your mousetraps, you’ll catch more with peanut butter than cheese
Chris Freeman 4 years ago
Yep. Learned this years ago, peanut butter is one of the best baits for mousetraps. Cheese will only dry out and never attract them.
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Heather Bushnell 4 years ago
I'm gonna guess it all started with the holes in cheese and someone either serious or jokingly said it looks like mice have chewed holes in it...
Kona Pake 4 years ago
That’s why they like electric cablking, the sheathing is sweet to them. Kids like it to!
German Gargicevich 4 years ago
I don't know if we are talking about the same. But, still, when working as an electrician in a grain elevators plant, the damn rats preferred the semi-conductive insulation on the high voltage underground feeding lines that the literally thousands of tons of free grain. The main fuses on the transformer would pop, and when searching the cause, we'll find a piece of carbon with the form of an enormous rat. It smelled awful also.
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IlovemydogShilo 4 years ago
There is a classic bloopers clip from a BBC programme from years ago where a so called "expert" brought in mice to prove they liked cheese more than sweet things. The expert made a big thin that mice loved more than anything and put 6 mice in a clear plastic box that was partitioned into 3 parts. The mice were in the middle, the cheese on the left and chocolate on the right. When the partitions were taken away, all the mice went for the chocolate. None went for the cheese. There were red faces all round. The expert from embarrassment and everyone else from laughing.
#23
TIL Stephen Hawking found his Undergraduate work 'ridiculously easy' to the point where he was able to solve problems without looking at how others did it. Even his examiners realised that "they were talking to someone far cleverer than most of themselves".
Kay blue 4 years ago
He was a very special man, also a ladies man and would occasionally visit Stringfellows.
Metallic Geisha 4 years ago
I hope I'm alive for the next generation's genius. I'm very curious as to what they'll come up with.
Xan Maranya 4 years ago
There are some young kids showing promise like this nowadays... completing university work before most enter high school.
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Nightshade1972 3 years ago
My wife's scientific calculator broke when she was in HS. Drove one of her classmates crazy when Classmate realized my wife was smart enough to do a lot of the work with just pencil and paper, she didn't need the scientific calculator to help her solve the equations.
Ralph Watkins 3 years ago
He wouldn't do so well today. Our education system wants everything written out. Explaining the equation is far more important that just knowing the right answer. High achievers are ostracized nowadays for abilities. Intelligent people have brains like a super computer in a world where the education system wants everybody to operate like an old 4K Altair using Basic.
Riley Quinn 4 years ago
I knew a physics major who was accidently placed in a grad level math course. He sailed right through.
#24
TIL that Velociraptors were the size of a turkey in real life, not 2m (6 1⁄2 ft) tall as they were portrayed in Jurassic Park movie.
Elita One 4 years ago
There's actually a dinosaur similar to what the Jurassic Park velociraptors looked like, similar in size too, the Australovenator or Banjo as we Aussies call him. Imagine this thing running you down. AUSTRALOVE...5b544e.jpg 
Seabeast 4 years ago
And you have Cassowaries - which are the modern version!
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Daniel Atkins 4 years ago
Although Chris Pratt's character running round with a pack of turkey sized dinosaurs would be funny especially if he was on a scooter.
Valisbourne Spiritforge 4 years ago
The kid in the first Jurassic Park movie declared the skeleton looked like a 6' turkey. I can't think of anything more terrifying off hand than a 6 ' turkey.
Hazy Egg 4 years ago
Tho perhaps a turkey-sized violent, predatory killer who can fit into smaller spaces than the movies portray???
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Bobert Robertson 4 years ago
My 4 year old son knows this. He can't remember what he learns at school each day, but he can tell you anything you'd ever want to know about dinosaurs.
Jennie-Lind Normand 4 years ago
My kid too (though they're 16 now) they've been obsessed with dinosaurs since they were 2, and I know so much more about dinosaurs because of them!
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Goth mouse (they/them) 4 years ago
And they weren’t big scaly lizards, they were covered in feathers and would have looks like birds of prey with teeth!
brukernavn340 4 years ago
I remember I found it strange that they called what appeared to be deinonychus, velociraptor. I was 7 when I first saw it.
Manstone 4 years ago
I thought of Deinonychus as well when I first saw Jurassic Park. I was about 12 when it came out
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#25
TIL in 1978 Emilio Palma was the first person born on Antarctica, making them the only currently living person that was the first person born on a continent
Autumn 4 years ago
Every continent had someone who was the first person born on that continent and, out of those people, this person is the only one that's still alive.
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Chris M 4 years ago (edited)
His mother was specifically brought to Antartica before giving birth to give Argentina a sovereignty claim. Argentina claims this means that part of Antartica belongs to Argentina, but no other country recognizes this. The only two other known births in Antartica were in 1859 and 1913.
Anapv 4 years ago
So then, he's the only living person born in Antarctica, but not "the first person born in Antarctica"
Load More Replies... Daniel Atkins 4 years ago
Now i want to know thew story because i'm picturing his mother taking one more trip before the Baby is born and wondering why Antarctica.
Prilsy 4 years ago
There are only military/scientific bases on Antarctica, she was probably living there.
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Laura Williams 1 year ago
There was a non violent war going on to be first to claim antarctic as their's. Mr. Palma's wife was pregnant. The country that the Palmas are from flew her out to give birth in antarctic. Making him the only person born in antarctic.
#26
TIL the lyrics at the end of 'Sweet Child of Mine' were literal. Axel Rose and his music producer were discussing what to do with the end of the song and Rose started saying to himself "Where do we go? Where do we go now?" The producer suggested singing that and that's how it made it in the song.
Calypso poet 4 years ago
Hopefully a singer who didn't keep walking off stage in temper tantrums in the 90s. Shout out to the rest of the band who kept playing so people didn't riot!
Load More Replies... Randy Klefbeck 3 years ago
I have never been able to tolerate that man's voice. That is a great song with a truly horrible ending and now I know why.
#27
TIL Italy, France, and Brazil are not even in the top ten highest consumers of coffee. The Nordic countries dominate coffee consumption and are all within the top ten countries worldwide. Further, Finland (the highest consumer in the world) more than doubles the annual consumption of Italy.
Not A Panda 4 years ago
Well of course. It's cold and dark in Nordic countries. You have to drink coffee to wake up and get going. Warm countries it's much easier to warm up to get going! ;)
brukernavn340 4 years ago
Only half of the year. The rest is very bright.
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Brandy Grote 4 years ago
The Dutch have been growing and roasting coffee since 1616. Their top brand, Douwe Egberts, is 1000x better than Starbucks!
Rannveig Ess 4 years ago
That;s because it is an awful task to work, live and try to sleep when it's light out for 5 months and then do the same when it's dark for 5-ish months. There is little time when it's a night/day thing and you can follow a normal body rhythm. Alcohol and caffeine get to be Your Friend unless you have the money or desire to set up your living space with Daylight panels and full spectrum light and black out curtains and have the discipline to keep on a strict regimen, light or dark. I had a few friends who literally lost their minds in the summer because they couldn't calm down and sleep, and would be depressive Vampires in the winter because they couldn't get motivated. It's a challenge :) (Iceland)
Joe Berger 4 years ago
Makes you wonder if there's a correlation with Finland being the Happiest Country on Earth. Especially if you consider that the other Nordic countries come in right after Finland on the Happiness scale.
Otter 4 years ago
I thought Middle Eastern countries like Turkey were the highest consumers of coffee. I've heard people in that region can drink 30-40 small cups of coffee a day, but I don't know as I've never been there.
ElenaK 4 years ago
They do drink a lot of coffee, but not that much. Maybe 3-5 coffees is more accurate. However I thought Greece would be the first in coffee consuption. Coffee houses literally everywhere!
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Victoria Kimball 4 years ago
I wonder if this is based on the amount of coffee sold in each country in total OR the amount of coffee sold in each country per capita?
Brandy Grote 4 years ago
US is 25th in the world for coffee consumption per capita. Less than Canada.
Jason Llewellyn 4 years ago
Also, death metal is popular in those Nordic and Scandinavian countries as well 🤘🏼
#28
TIL that the actor who played Charlie Bucket in the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory never acted again, and grew up to be a veterinarian.
Kay blue 4 years ago
Not uncommon for child actors, there has been a lot of abuse on film sets, so it's not surprising that a lot of child actors decide to step away from the industry.
Rider 4 years ago
Yup. My grandfather was a childhood actor, mostly stage and extras in film. His mom wanted his sister to be the next Shirley Temple but he had all the talent. For a while he was an extra in Little Rascals. We have letters he mailed home from when he was with a traveling troupe in his early teens. He saw how the industry was and always knew he wanted something better for his life so he got out.
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Robert T 4 years ago (edited)
Just checked this, as the book was titled "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". The 1971 film was titled "W i l l y Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" (the Gene Wilder one) and the 2005 file was titled "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (the Johnny Depp one). I had thought that the W i l l y Wonka title was going to be US only, but that doesn't appear to be the case.
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Lindsey Judd-Bruder 4 years ago
Peter Ostrum. My husband went to school with him. They weren't close, or anything. But still cool to know, lol.
Riley Quinn 4 years ago
Peter Ostrum knew at 12 yo not to lock himself into an acting contract.
#29
TIL: That most of the fake snow used in the 1980 Movie "The Shining" was repurposed from the ice planet Hoth scenes in "The Empire Strikes Back".
Katie Lutesinger 4 years ago
And the fake snow in The Shawshank Redemption was made from freeze dried potato flakes!
Colin Matthews 4 years ago
Fun fact. Its an ice planet called HOTH named after the Nazi general in charge at Stalingrad
James Fe 4 years ago
Fake snow? Why? That's Mt. Hood's Timberline Lodge. Just wait till January. That's exactly how it looks.
James Fe 4 years ago
But then again, Poor Jack would have literally frozen to death so, nvm.
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#30
TIL the watch made its migration from the pocket to the wrist during World War I, when soldiers were obligated to attach them to their arms for coordinated attacks, instead of fumbling in their pockets. Before then, the "bracelet watch" had mostly been regarded as a joke and "silly-a*s fad".
Riley Quinn 4 years ago
And here we are now wondering why watches still exist since we can't even go to the toilet without our phones.
#31
TIL Psychologists found that interrogative self-talk, asking yourself a question about a future action increases the likelihood of it happening. For example, rather than saying "I'm going to the gym later." You would say, "Will I go to the gym later?" It triggers more goal-oriented behavior.
Trillian 4 years ago
I quit doing that. It's so awkward to get into full-blown fights with yourself.
Calypso poet 4 years ago
If I don't go to the gym will I gain a million pounds? And will it be US measurements or British currency?
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Robin Childers 4 years ago
I wonder if it's because a statement is seen as demanding and puts one on the defensive while a question is seen as non-threatening?
Marcellus II 4 years ago
So you say for safety's sake I should not wonder "what could possibly go wrong?", and just go ahead? Well OK then!!
Riley Quinn 4 years ago
Well, I just asked myself if I planned on getting out of my recliner for any reason, and got the reply, in your dreams.
Robert Bailey 4 years ago (edited)
My most common question to my self is , what was I planning to do? Walk in the kitchen. What was I planning to do? Open MS Word, what was I planning to do? Wait, was I just saying something?
Xan Maranya 4 years ago
Questioning stimulates more brain activity than statements. Teachers would do well to learn this.
#32
TIL Desert sand is effectively useless for construction. Saudi Arabia imports sand from Australia.
chi-wei shen 4 years ago
Sand used for mortar or concrete has to be in the range of 0 to 2 millimetre, while dune sand usually only covers the portion of 0 to 0.2 millimetre and the coarse portions have to be added from other sources. This is only a small portion of the entire amount of sand required for any mixture. However, as I have witnessed in the Arab Emirates, a small portion of dune sand sometimes is added to shotcrete, which is required if the other sand lacks these fine grains. Additionally, dune sand is round and sand preferred for construction has sharper corners.
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Rikke Visby Wickberg 4 years ago
My teachers in school never believed that my uncle actually sold sand in Sahara. They should read this thread.
François Carré 4 years ago (edited)
For more context, construction all around the world is heading towards a massive sand shortage and yet still pretending to develop huge urban projects that will completely ruin entire shorelines with their natural ecosystem. Singapore for example is literally stealing sand from other countries (along with poor immigrant workers) to continue its expansion over the sea.
Colin Matthews 4 years ago
There is a significant illegal trade in sand world wide, dominated by the mob
Ralph Watkins 3 years ago
I found out while in Iraq that oil might be their biggest export but their second biggest is concrete. In many areas of the desert, if you dig down a few feet, you hit ancient coral & limestone. Add some gravel in there & you have concrete.
Evelyn Haskins 4 years ago
WHAT??? They are sellinf of MY continent!!!! (PS Austrlia has sandy deserts too -- but beach sand is preferred.
#33
TIL that in 2004 at the Smithsonian, Walnut, a rare female White-Naped Crane, fell in love with a zoologist named Chris Crowe, who was able to rear her eggs without Walnut hurting other males. White-Naped Cranes are monogamous and stress easily so Chris must stay until he, or Walnut, dies.
Kay blue 4 years ago
I just read an article, Walnut isn't used for breeding now but when she was she was artificially inseminated. Chris works 5 days a week and can go on holiday. No other keeper can get close to her but others do care for her when Chris isn't there.
Lisa Samuelson 4 years ago
Thank you MauKini for that!! I just spent the last hour reading and watching videos of this beautiful relationship!! SO worth it!!
Load More Replies... Otter 4 years ago
So, uh, how do they breed the next generation of white-crowned cranes, if she's in love with a human?
Kristin Ingersoll 4 years ago
The same way they breed most animals in zoos. Articificially.
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Riley Quinn 4 years ago
Very intriguing story about the lengths Chris Crowe goes to in order to protect this dwindling species. And, yeah, he gets ribbed about his "relationship" with Walnut.
#34
TIL in 1950 airlines didn’t serve alcohol when flying over dry states.
Otter 4 years ago
"I'm sorry, you'll have to wait five minutes for your drink, we're flying over Vermont."
Jason Llewellyn 4 years ago
More like the South. Back in the mid 90s there were still several dry counties in Alabama and other states.
Load More Replies... Hans 4 years ago
Just imagine: "ladies and gentlemen, border in 10 miles...please wash down your glasses!"
Witchling 4 years ago
I'm thinking the same thing...Seriously? Did they gather up the glasses then return them when passed the state in question? And was there a penalty if they didn't comply? Were the rebel airlines that said screw that, drink whenever you want? This cracks me up!!
Load More Replies... Vorknkx 4 years ago
Can you imagine that someone seriously thought that a ban on alcohol would stop people from drinking? :D
Monday 4 years ago
A ban on alcohol just encourages people to be creative with their drinking
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Riley Quinn 4 years ago (edited)
I wonder how many frequent flyers tucked a flask in their carry-on bag.
François Carré 4 years ago
Was prohibition still existing in certain States during the 1950's ?
Allan Breum 4 years ago
Makes sense; Serving alcohol in those states were a crime. The fact that it happened thousands of feet in the air makes no difference. It was basically a legal liability issue.
#35
TIL that the transformation of common metals into gold, a seemingly impossible goal attempted by alchemists for centuries, is now entirely possible using either a nuclear reactor or a particle accelerator. However, the process is so expensive that it is functionally useless.
Otter 4 years ago
Someone actually got a PhD in chemistry, for actually using chemical processes to turn a sow's ear into silk fibers. No word if they took the trouble to weave the fibers into a purse.
Alexandru Bucur 4 years ago
That would be Arthur Dehon Little, one of the co-founders of the MIT School of Chemical Engineering Practice, winner of the Perkin Medal, etc. and owner of the chemical company with the same name. In 1921 he had his lab make this to prove the point that even things thought attainable can be achieved with enough effort. To quote from their report: [...] "the lab reduced one hundred pounds of sows' ears to ten pounds of glue, which was turned to gelatin by adding small amounts of chrome alum and acetone. After much trial and error the chemists hit upon a means of producing fine strands by filtering under pressure and forcing the substance through a perforated spinneret. The resulting brittle strands, softened by bathing in a glycerin solution, were dried, dyed, and woven into cloth of "the desired soft, silky feel." From this cloth two "silk" purses were cut and stitched in imitation of a medieval design."
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Evelyn Haskins 4 years ago
Not to mention that we already have SO much gold in storage that we will never use it all up!
#36
TIL When Assyrian priests saw a bad omen aimed at the King they used a ritual called The Substitute King. A commoner was found to replace the king while he went in hiding. The man lived as the king absorbing the evil spirits. When the omen passed the commoner was killed and the king returned.
Otter 4 years ago
I think that modern politics would be a lot more fun, if we resumed the old custom of killing the national leader when bad things befell the nation.
Marco Conti 4 years ago
Royal records from that time have a cuneiform inscription that says "THIS JOB SUCKS!"
Chris Jorissen 3 years ago
This sounds similar to what happened on theed during the negotiations with the trade federation, with the decoy amidala
#37
TIL the International Space Station is the most expensive thing ever built by humanity at over 150 billion dollars over the course of its construction
Nicola Roberts 4 years ago
I think HS2 train line in the UK will give it a run for it's money!
Riley Quinn 4 years ago
As much as I love learning about the cosmos, I still wish this money had been put into education. If our voters were educated, we wouldn't be in the mess we're in.
#38
TIL that drinking Coca-Cola is prescribed as an effective treatment for certain types of bowel obstructions
Andy Acceber 4 years ago
I've used it to eat through corrosion on my car battery before. I'd assume it could get through a bowel obstruction.
James Fe 4 years ago
Regular white vinegar is more effective for that, and easier to clean up.
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Otter 4 years ago
It's also good for nausea. I've heard an anesthesiologist recommend it for nausea that doesn't respond to the standard medications.
Gin. No tonic 4 years ago
Drinking Cola right now for mild nausea. Prescribed by my doctor.
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Kerri Peek 4 years ago
Can verify. I have had stomach issues my entire life but when I was little the Dr prescribed coke a cola with crushed ice for almost a year. Parents had to buy a special ice crusher because this was the early 70s and they didn't come in refrigerators as they have since the 80s.
Sina 4 years ago
In Greece it's a pretty common home remedy when someone has diarrhea, to feed them a rice based thick soup to cork up their bum, and have them drink flat coca-cola with a bit of lemon in it. It actually works wonders :) I think that the sugar in coca-cola helps retain some of the hydration we're losing when having stomach/bowel issues
#39
TIL Texas A&M University offers a class on Texas Barbecue that teaches the history of BBQ, cooking methodology, flavorings and seasonings, and different types of BBQ. The class is offered in the fall and is held on Friday afternoons.
Sarcastic Cow 4 years ago (edited)
Visit Texas! Famous history of BBQ and BFR (banned female rights)
Metallic Geisha 4 years ago
Texas born here- football and bbq. Outside family, religion, work, and reputation, these 2 things are a Texan staple. Besides that, you could have a fine life and business if you get your stuff right. Like seriously, take a business class and whatever else, and bbq could set you and your kids up for quite some time.
#40
TIL about the highly lethal, hallucinogenic and terrifying effects from consuming the attractive flowers of the Brugmansia (aka angel tears) plant, including a documented case of a young man who amputated his own penis and tongue after drinking only one cup of Brugmansia tea
Donkey boi 4 years ago
I've gout 6 of them in my garden! The interesting thing about them is that most toxic plants have parts that are more toxic than the rest (the roots, stem, leaf, or flower) at that is usually set across the board, however with the Brugmansia it varies from plant to plant, one will have really toxic roots and the the next will have mildly toxic roots. Oh and they are called 'Angel's Trumpet' not tears.
Rick 4 years ago
Did you grow them or were they just there when you moved in? Do you not consider getting rid because of the toxicity worry?
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BorPand8 4 years ago
I found the source for that, but it doesn't say why he did it (at least not in the abstract). I don't suppose anyone has a subscription to Springer? It says the article is from the European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00406-006-0666-2
Lou 4 years ago
Quick summary of the article : He drank a cup of tea made with the flowers, then went to spend the afternoon in his grandma's garden with her and his mom. At some point he got tired and went to take a nap. His mom and grandma then saw him entering the toilets, and coming out later covered in blood. He cut his penis at the root and his tongue with pruning shears. He had a complete amnesia for the time between going to bed and waking up in the hospital, and could never say why he did it. He was otherwise completely healthy, with no evidence of mental illness
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jk nbt 4 years ago
they are gorgeous & root hardy... just don't eat them... this is the origin of the zombie legends, this was a potion given to enemies in Haiti by witch doctors... the victim fell into such a deep sleep that everyone thought he was dead... the victim would wake up on the way to the funeral & start beating on the inside of the coffin until let out... the victim came out of the coffin semi-comatose & looking terrible, just like a zombie should... scary... buy them here: https://www.plantdelights.com/collections/brugmansia-angel-trumpet:
Aldhissla VargTimmen 4 years ago
Brugmansia used to be in the datura family :)
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Yvonne Dauwalder Balsiger 4 years ago
Damn, that almost makes Crack look like a "wholesome" alternative. (Not that it is in anyway wholesome or a good idea to take that sh.., just to clarify.)
tangy chip 4 years ago
i looked pictures of the brugmansia tree this up and... we have one in our backyard.
Riley Quinn 4 years ago
Nightshade plants are a strange group. The white potato is edible, yet the greens are poisonous.
Pamela Blue 3 years ago
We had a Brugmansia plant once many years ago. It was fascinating watching it bloom with those beautiful big trumpets. I have no idea what happened to it. It either died from neglect (most likely) or we left it there when we moved. LOL!
#41
TIL: Scientists found microbes buried beneath the sea floor that divide once every 10,000 years and are as much as 100 million years old.
bumble bee 4 years ago
TIL, that NIH scientists have been doing cruel and torturous experiments on animals. They cut the vocal chords of beagles so they could not be heard screaming as their heads were enclosed in plastic containers with flies that ate their faces and heads to the bone while they were alive.
#42
TIL: Genesis isn't the oldest book of the bible. It was written later than at least a dozen other books.
Final score:
37points
Vorknkx 4 years ago
This is one thing people often don't understand - the different parts of the Bible were written in different time periods, by different authors, and in different dialects even. It was never a cohesive book, but rather a pieced-together hodgepodge of other works (edited and adjusted as political ideas shifted).
Sarah B 4 years ago
And then King James took it upon himself to rewrite it all. That is now the copy most people refer to as "The Bible".
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Eithne Griffiths 4 years ago
TIL:That " Virgin" in the bible( as in the virgin birth) Literally means,a woman of marriageable age.
François Carré 4 years ago
Will people get mad if I add that ALL sacred books are actually just compilations of traditional texts from various authors, since there is no such thing as a book written by God ?
Freya the Wanderer 4 years ago
The story of the Great Flood is obviously at least two differing stories crudely patched together. It reads as though the author took down notes from closely related tales, then forgot to edit them into a smooth, consistent narrative.
Vorknkx 4 years ago
I've read a theory that the "great flood" myth is based on a real life event where some region was flooded... but it was by no means a global flood. The Black Sea may have received its current form and composition due to the aforementioned event.
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#43
TIL sound travels at about 1,080 feet per second in a fog bank. Steamboat captains, rounding off to 1,000 feet for safety, would listen for the echo from their steam whistle to tell how far from shore they were in a fog. An echo heard 1 second after whistle means the boat was 500 ft from shore.
#44
Frank Wills, the security guard who discovered the Watergate break-in that eventually led to the resignation of Richard Nixon, struggled with unemployment and poverty for the rest of his life. He died at age 52 of a brain tumour.
#45
TIL that instead of taking their usual salaries for ''Twins'', Schwarzenegger and DeVito both agreed with the studio to take 20% of the film's box office returns which resulted in them receiving the biggest paychecks of their film careers ( movie made $216 million worldwide)
Rick 4 years ago (edited)
Jason Weaver, the young actor who sang (not the speaking role) Simba’s songs in The Lion King turned down $2 million on advice from his agent mother and instead accepted $100,000 and royalties…he’s made a LOT more than $2 million from it since and is still earning. The recent remake saw his earnings skyrocket again.
#46
TIL roughly 70% of businesses in Sicily still pay protection money to the Sicilian Mafia.
BasedWang 4 years ago
Yuuup the blackhand is still alive and well over there. When in Sicily we were told not to leave the hotel's fenced in area by the pool or risk being taken for ransom
Milan 4 years ago (edited)
What? I was in Siciliy couple of times with my wife. Everytime rented a car and traveled across the island. Chilled on beaches. They have wonderful, not overcrowded beaches on some places. Saw many small villages. Walking down the streets also in Corleone. Enjoying night life in Trapani…We never heard that story, never. From nobody. There is a huge summer tourism, milions of people every year, families with children.
Load More Replies... #47
TIL there is an abandoned McDonald’s floating on a barge in Canada. The Mcbarge has been closed for over 30 years
Bill Dolman 4 years ago
Here's the wiki article about it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McBarge
#48
TIL a 25-barrel gun was used in an assassination attempt on the King of France in 1835. It fired over 400 projectiles at once and killed 18 people. The assassin was badly injured by exploding barrels, and tracked down by the trail of blood.
François Carré 4 years ago
That was in the romantic period. Everyone was playing overdramatic then.
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Donkey boi 4 years ago
So if it had 25 barrels, how did it fire 400 projectiles at once? That means there was 16 projectiles in each barrel... No wonder the barrels exploded!
J. F. 4 years ago (edited)
Could had been some kind of shotgun maybe - 25 barrels filled with 16 small projectiles (there is no mention of the calibre)
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BlackPearltheSeaWing/NightWing 4 years ago
It says assassination attempt, so apparently not.
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Deborah B 4 years ago
"Assassination attempt" not "assassination". He died in 1850.
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#49
TIL that after Reagan saw the nuclear war film THE DAY AFTER (1983) he wrote in his diary, "It’s very effective & left me greatly depressed. [We have] to do all we can to have a deterrent & to see there is never a nuclear war." He later said it directly inspired the INF Treaty with the USSR.
Witchling 4 years ago
That movie left me certain I would be dead by 18. They showed it in my school to all students. I don't remember what happened in it. I just remember how I felt afterward.
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
My dad had us watch it, then quizzed us on the actual effects of various kiloton warheads, and it was 1 AM before we got to bed, not that we slept. I still have nightmares about nukes.
Load More Replies... Edward Treen 4 years ago
"The Day After" was pure Hollywood. For a more realistic viewpoint, see the 1984 British production of "Threads": it's not for the faint-hearted.
Alexandru Bucur 4 years ago
Yup, came here to write the same. That film is utterly harrowing.
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NsG 4 years ago
Threads was the British made version and far more bleak and harrowing, taking into account nuclear winter after 15 years and the genetic mutations of the next generations suggesting the full end of humanity. The Day After got the message across, Threads dropped an arsenal of nuclear anvils. And there's also When The Wind Blows for an *animated* version that basically boils down to "all that government advice and leaflets will be USELESS".
Laugh or not 4 years ago
Then everyone participating in the making of the movie can be proud of what they did for the safety of the world.
Metallic Geisha 4 years ago
Haven't seen it, but after seeing comments, I'd imagine it's the same vibes as The Boy In The Stripped Pajamas....
#50
TIL that the Icelandic government banned the stationing of black American soldiers in Iceland during the Cold War so as to "protect Icelandic women and preserve a homogenous national body". After pressure from the US military, the ban was eventually lifted in the late 1960s.
Not A Panda 4 years ago
The other half of that was that Iceland didn't really want any outside men going around there, and ALL soldiers had a curfew, were refused entry into shops and other businesses as the reports of rapes and assaults soared. Yes, they specifically asked not to station black soldiers, but all soldiers were seen as undesirable. Iceland didn't specifically want US soldiers to be there period.
Guðrún Sveinsdóttir 4 years ago
Icelanders were also afraid of black people because most of us had never seen a black man before and it was to upsetting for the citizens. We were mostly old farmers and fishermen that had never met an outcomer before and everything was exotic to us through out the war.
Load More Replies... Rick 4 years ago (edited)
A very huge difference as to how black American soldiers were treated in Britain (The battle of Bamber Bridge) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bamber_Bridge The local pubs put up signs saying “black troops ONLY” in solidarity against the racist way the black soldiers were treated by their white American counterparts
Andy Acceber 4 years ago
Gross. The myth of swarms of violent Black men is simply that: A myth. Unfortunately, it causes real discrimination.
Monday 4 years ago
It wasn't just about violence either, they didn't want to risk their women falling in love with a black man and having mixed race children.
Load More Replies... J Garza 4 years ago
Don't believe for one second that this kind of thinking is gone from human society. We have learned nothing from our mistakes.
Jenný Samúelsdóttir Herlufsen 4 years ago
TIL that Icelandic schools don’t teach this and most people in Iceland never even know about this!
Metallic Geisha 4 years ago
I read somewhere that homophobes are deep down actually worried about the increase in chance for their partner to cheat. Wonder if it's the same (basically, ofc it's not simply so simple) for racists?
#51
TIL that Gwyneth Paltrow marketed jade eggs for women to insert into their vaginas, and got sued for false claims and misleading information
Not A Panda 4 years ago
She's a weirdo and markets highly dangerous stuff :( I don't get why it's allowed.
XSpooky_Mint 4 years ago
She also has a vagina candle, and she doesn't know who Tom Holland or Sebastian Stan are
Lord Mysticlaw 4 years ago
She might have marketed it, but she didn't invent it – yoni eggs have been around for much longer and still are, aren't they?
Terd Fergison 4 years ago
Still should be a crime, and she should be imprisoned for that.
Load More Replies... #52
TIL: Teddy Roosevelt became president in 1901 upon the assassination death of William McKinley. But he was at Mount Marcy in the High Peaks of New York State. He had to be found in the middle of nowhere and brought to civilization to be sworn in. It became known as Roosevelts midnight ride.
the fallen soufflé 4 years ago
I've hiked Marcy quite a few times, and I wonder what the paths were like 120 years ago. It wouldn't really be considered the middle of nowhere know as it's only like 15 miles to towns.
#53
TIL of Austin Tice, a freelance journalist and U.S. Marine Corps veteran who was abducted on August 14, 2012 while reporting on the civil war in Syria. He has since been missing for more than 9 years.
Stephanie IV 4 years ago (edited)
This goes straight into the „must try to fend off“ - bucket in my memory. Along with drowning polar bears, screaming cattle, drowned children and the little dying girl with only a vulture to keep her company.
L Venn 4 years ago
The child with the vulture was a boy and didn't die. His mother was close, waiting for food nearby. The photographer chased away the vulture.
Load More Replies... #54
TIL 138 songs of Taylor Swift have entered the Billboard Hot 100, the all-time record for a female artist.
Jo Johannsen 4 years ago
Will she still be singing teen sweetheart and breakup songs twenty years from now?
Gelato Cat 4 years ago
Oi don't hate, her recent songs have changed sooo much, they're really good, more abt activism, politics ect
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Bobby 4 years ago
Is this based on what she performed or what she wrote? Does she write songs for other artists?
katrina hunt 4 years ago
I evened out one downvote, these are perfectly reasonable questions! I don’t have the answers but still.
Load More Replies... Donkey boi 4 years ago
I didn't even know she'd done that many songs. So how does the Billboard work? Surely it isn't just singles to have that many?
Bobby 4 years ago
why are you being down voted? That's a legitimate question, even singer/song writers occasionally sing other peoples songs
Load More Replies... Jo Davies 4 years ago
Male artist is Drake - 259 songs. Neither Lennon or McCartney make it high onto the single artist list.
Load More Replies... #55
TIL city spiders are getting bigger, a study found that when spiders lived in urban areas they increased in size and had larger ovaries: Scientists have found increasing evidence that the selective pressures of city living are driving "physical and biological changes" in urban wildlife
Sarcastic Cow 4 years ago
Have you ever seen spiders in some old barns or so, especially when you will notice them at the last minute?
#56
TIL that the US recorded Germany’s nuclear scientists (most of whom thought an atomic bomb was impossible) finding out about Hiroshima in 1945: WEIZSÄCKER: I think it’s dreadful of the Americans to have done it. I think it is madness on their part. HEISENBERG: One can’t say that. One could equally well say “That’s the quickest way of ending the war.” HAHN: That’s what consoles me. HAHN: I was consoled when, I believe it was WEIZSÄCKER said that there was now this uranium - I found that in my institute too, this absorbing body which made the thing impossible consoled me because when they said at one time one could make bombs, I was shattered. WEIZSÄCKER: I would say that, at the rate we were going, we would not have succeeded during this war. HAHN: Yes. WEIZSÄCKER: It is very cold comfort to think that one is personally in a position to do what other people would be able to do one day. HEISENBERG: There is a great difference between discoveries and inventions. With discoveries one can always be skeptical and many surprises can take place. In the case of inventions, surprises can really only occur for people who have not had anything to do with it. It’s a bit odd after we have been working on it for five years.
Jaclyn Levy 4 years ago
They were not only recorded, but all basically put on house arrest until after the war.
Lindsey Judd-Bruder 4 years ago (edited)
Imagine, Nazis calling someone ELSE mad!! Talk about pot and kettle!!
Marcellus II 4 years ago
Why would you think that?! Early 20th century German scientists weren't exposed to late-20th century American pop culture.
Load More Replies... #57
TIL Jet Li didn’t want to star in the Matrix with fear that he would lose ownership of his martial arts moves when digitalized
#58
TIL Alfred Hitchcock was afraid of eggs
Final score:
26points
#59
TIL: Ariana Grande had the words 'small charcoal grill' tattooed on her hand in Japanese instead of her song 7 Rings due to missing characters.
Sabi Piršel 4 years ago
And there wasn´t a more interesting fact than this to make it on this list. Interesting!
Lindsey Judd-Bruder 4 years ago
I think it's more interesting how she photoshopped/airbrushed most of the lines out of her hand. I guess finger creases are unattractive... BRB, off to find some gloves to hide my hideous hands, before my husband catches a glimpse of them and leaves me!
#60
TIL in 1957, five men stood directly underneath a 2-kiloton nuclear bomb detonated at 18,500 feet to demonstrate how safe it was. One looked up at the explosion through regular sunglasses. They all lived into their 70s or 80s
Andy Acceber 4 years ago
No. Don Luttrell died at 63. It was a small test way way over their heads, and they didn't stick around for the fallout. It hardly suggests these were safe. The nearby town of St. George was repeatedly hit by uninvited fallout. The U.S. government has paid some $813 million to more than 16,000 "downwinders" to compensate them for illnesses presumably connected to the bomb testing program. https://www.npr.org/sections/krulwich/2012/07/16/156851175/five-men-agree-to-stand-directly-under-an-exploding-nuclear-bomb
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
beat me to it. if it had been a ground detonation, they'd be vaporized; low-altitude air-burst, poof! Also, 2-kiloton isn't much. So.... just so much BS in this.... *sigh*
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AzKhaleesi 4 years ago
You must be so fun at parties. Because if you learned it before or after "today" it wouldn't be "today I learned" now would it? Plus pretty sure the people that posted it didn't learn it "today" but YOU did. Because I guarantee you didn't know more than half of this stuff. I know I didn't so therefore, Today I learned..... and also darling, knowledge isn't annoying.
Load More Replies... AzKhaleesi 4 years ago
You must be so fun at parties. Because if you learned it before or after "today" it wouldn't be "today I learned" now would it? Plus pretty sure the people that posted it didn't learn it "today" but YOU did. Because I guarantee you didn't know more than half of this stuff. I know I didn't so therefore, Today I learned..... and also darling, knowledge isn't annoying.
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