› added 9 years ago

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TIL that MI5 once had a plan to use Gerbils to detect terrorists/spies at airports, as their sense of smell can acutely detect increased adrenalin in people. The project was scrapped when the Gerbils proved unable to tell the difference between terrorists and those afraid of flying.

Read more news.bbc.co.uk

via reddit.com

167xD TIL there is a specific word - Haar - for the sea fogs that form off of eastern Scotland and England.
OYYX TIL that the world’s first Buddhist ruler, Emperor Ashoka, who ruled India form 274-232 BCE, was the first ruler in human history to ban slavery, the death penalty, animal cruelty, and deforestation. He even advocated gender equality in education and religious institutions.
oBK9r TIL that the United States Postal Service has about 1,700 employees in Utah who read anything that the automated systems can't read like illegible addresses. About 5 million pieces of mail are read at this location daily. Seasoned employees generally average about 1,600 addresses read per hour.
Z0Vp TIL according to a Princeton study, more money makes people happier up to $75,000 a year. After that point, higher pay does not increase happiness.
VBgQp TIL Bubble lights used for Christmas decorations contain methylene chloride, a carconigenic solvent.