› added 1 year ago

55

TIL that P.T. Barnum noticed people were lingering too long at his exhibits so he posted signs indicating "This Way to the Egress". Not knowing that "Egress" was another word for "Exit", people followed the signs to what they assumed was a fascinating exhibit and ended up outside.

b6kR0 TIL Priss Fotheringham, famed for popularising 'chucking', an act dating back to ancient Rome. She'd stand on her head naked, legs apart, allowing patrons to toss coins into her "commodity". Legend has it she could fit 16 half-crowns, a notable achievement per modern commentators.
NXbV1 TIL that it wasn’t until 1970 that the exclamation point consistently had its own key on most typewriter keyboards! If your typewriter didn't have one, the convention was to type a period, then go back and type an apostrophe above it!
0dWbL TIL The Navy contacted the Village People to use "In the Navy" in an advertising campaign for television and radio. They gave the rights to the song for free on the condition that the Navy help them shoot the music video. The Navy provided them with a warship, several aircraft, and plenty of seamen
J1gK1 TIL Astronomers image the Sun in detail using hydrogen-alpha telescopes with monochrome cameras rather than colour as they can make full use of their sensors. This means processing software is used to make the Sun appear in colours like yellow and orange
pYZ5p TIL the San Francisco Giants led the NL Wild Card in mid-July 2023 until an addiction to Pusoy, a Filipino card game, derailed their season. Some Giants, namely outfielder Joc Pederson, "find (pusoy dos) more compelling than studying the night’s opposing starting pitcher."