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TIL radium was actively used in commercial products when it was first discovered. With its self-luminous property, radium paint was used for a number of items like clocks, cosmetics, or even food and medicine. The use of radium was discontinued after the death of Radium Girls.

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d8bjK TIL There is an enzyme called telomerase which reverses the aging process by replacing the junk DNA, which normally degrades over time, that protects coding DNA, and scientists think it is the key to immortality. Species like jellyfish and lobsters are biologically immortal because of this.
nWlRP TIL about the Hairy Frog. A frog that is notable in possessing retractable claws, which it may project through the skin, apparently by intentionally breaking the bones of the toe.
Ooej1 TIL the ancient Chinese used natural gas for lighting purposes around 500 B.C., using bamboo pipelines to transport the gas for miles.
69Dom TIL Since the Foreign Secretary was in transit to Moscow when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Winston Churchill was the one who drafted the UK’s declaration of war. He later wrote "Some people did not like this ceremonial style. But after all when you have to kill a man it costs nothing to be polite."
J1ZwV TIL The Count of Estaing, best known for leading a French fleet during the American Revolutionary war, would be sent to the guillotine because of letters with the French Queen. Before his execution, d'Estaing wrote, "After my head falls off, send it to the English, they will pay a good deal for it!"