› added 11 years ago

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TIL that nations like the former USSR, Sweden, and a majority of other European nations have stockpiled reserves of steam locomotives in case something happens that renders their diesel or electric fleets inoperable, such as a Nuclear EMP event.

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X0rGj TIL that the Isles of Scilly and the Netherlands were in a bloodless war for 335 years, which officially ended in 1986
BrXMb TIL GravityLight is an LED light powered by a bag filled with 20 lbs of rocks or earth, attached to a cord, which slowly descends and powers the light for up to 20 minutes & takes only seconds to reset. Intended as a replacement for kerosene lamps in the developing world it has no operating costs
NRN6 TIL that the show ‘Deadliest Catch’ is bad for competition in the Bering Sea Fishing industry. The subsidies all the boats in the show receive allows them to undercut or break even with their seasonal catch.
Y769d TIL of Cincinnatus, a Roman leader, who after retiring to a simple life of farming, was summoned to assume complete control of the state when Rome was struggling against an enemy. After achieving a swift victory in mere days, Cincinnatus relinquished all his powers, and returned to labor on his farm
l7lnK TIL meticulous records were kept of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea from 1392 to 1865. One example of the contents is when King Taejong fell from a horse and immediately told those around him not to let a recorder know about it. Both his fall, and the subsequent command were recorded.