› added 4 years ago

57

TIL about Andy Hartley Payne, who was the winner of the International Trans-Continental Footrace in 1928 to promote U.S. Route 66. He ran the 3,423.5 mi route from Los Angeles to New York City, much of it along U.S. Route 66, in 573 hours, 4 minutes, 34 seconds over an 84-day staged run.

Read more wikipedia.org

via reddit.com

aybN TIL that the victims of the Pompeii eruption had “perfect teeth” - linked to both a healthy diet and high levels of fluorine in the air and water near the volcano
d8w58 TIL the founder of Yamaha carried his first prototype reed organ over his shoulder on a pole (by foot!) through the mountains on his way to show it off at the Tokyo Music Institute. After it was criticized harshly, Yamaha studied music theory for months in order to deliver an improved prototype.
kaX7 TIL in Russia many doctors “treat” alcoholism by surgically implanting a small capsule into their patients. The capsules react so severely with alcohol that once the patient touches a single drop, they instantly acquire an excruciating illness of similar intensity to acute heroin withdrawal
WkoLY TIL: Newly declassified public records obtained via the Freedom of Information Act shed light on Utah’s Dugway Proving Ground military experiments. Tests involved human exposure to biological and chemical agents while others studied weaponized mosquitos released on civilian populations in the U.S.
nWNWW TIL everyone has Olfactory Adaption and cannot smell their surroundings after a few minutes. This is why you cannot smell your house but your guests can.