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TIL The Larvae of the Planthopper bug is the first living thing discovered to have evolved mechanical gears. They’re located in its legs and enable it to jump at an acceleration of 400Gs in 2ms.

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dlVZ TIL in 1933 six thousand people were deported to an island in the Soviet Union and left with only flour to eat and no shelter. Guards would hunt people like animals, deliberately sink ships full of people and cannibalism became common.
9Y7oG TIL about Japan’s 5pm bell, or national emergency broadcast system, that plays music each day at a specific time for over 90% of the country. The music is actually a daily test to ensure the system can inform residents of any major disasters (i.e. tsunami, industrial accident).
89Ya TIL Texans at the Alamo were fighting for certain freedoms and a more liberal judicial system. One of the freedoms they were seeking was the right to own slaves, prohibited under Mexican law.
9wAnm TIL that, inspired by the Maginot Line in France, the British built a defensive network in Hong Kong. Called the Gin Drinkers Line or Oriental Maginot Line, it was designed to hold off a Japanese invasion for six months. Hit by understaffing and a malaria outbreak, it only lasted two days.
oBbEo TIL the Eiffel Tower was originally intended to stand from 1889 to 1909, but was saved due to its use as an army radio transmitter. Its concession was extended for the next 70 years, to 1980, lasting beyond as a tourist attraction and receiving regular modifications such as television broadcasting.