› added 5 months ago

24

TIL Smoking and drinking accounts for 60-80% of the gap in life expectancy between men and women

Read more bbc.com

via reddit.com

e0oEg TIL Some of the first aerial photographs of Earth were taken by pigeons - the drones of the 20th century. A technique invented in 1907 by Nebronner in Germany, they were used in both world wars and later by the CIA
9wQlr TIL, Contrary to what I was taught in school - The Great Wall of China is NOT visible from the moon or space in general. At best, it is visible from the low orbits under very favorable weather conditions. Some other earthly structures, e.g., desert roads, have much higher visibility from space.
YXXv TIL that a man went through simulated labor to put an end to the age old debate about pain thresholds…and called mercy after three hours.
eAJn TIL in 1779 US Captain John Paul Jones was engaged in battle with the royal Navy with a burning sinking ship he did not surrender and hours later jumped onto the British ship and took it over.
OoyV1 TIL when George Lucas was searching for a studio to produce Star Wars in 1973, he approached Disney, who turned him down.