› added 6 years ago

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TIL due to a miscalculation, the largest nuclear bomb ever tested by the United States was accidentally three times stronger than expected. This resulted in most of the test equipment being destroyed or vaporized rendering the experiment a failure.

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xVr40 TIL that during WWI (and briefly WWII) the British would shame men into joining the military by recruiting young women to call them cowards on the streets of their hometowns. These women would also pin a white feather on them to symbolize their cowardice.
AwOl TIL that in 2008 13 babies in China died after ingesting a formula made with melamine which the company added to make it look like it had a higher protein content. Two of the owners of the company involved were actually executed.
KYMva TIL about Matthew Slater. A WR for the New England Patriots who made the Pro Bowl 10x despite only recording one career reception.
BmLk TIL: Jacques Cousteau described the oceanic whitetip as “the most dangerous of all sharks.” The oceanic whitetip is suspected to be responsible for many fatal shark bites on humans, as a result of predation on survivors of shipwrecks or downed aircraft.
8eLnX TIL the Pacific beetle cockroach produces a super-food "milk" that is full of protein-dense crystals which are packed with essential amino acids, sugars, and healthy fat. It has been suggested as a protein supplement. However, it's very difficult to extract and not yet a viable food source.