› added 4 years ago

48

TIL of Alcibiades, an ancient greek general who'd served not one, not two, but three nations during the Peloponnesian War. After being exiled from Athens by his enemies, he played a pivotal role in their downfall whilst serving Sparta, and vice versa when he served Athens again until he got exiled.

Read more wikipedia.org

via reddit.com

OoW1a TIL starting in the 1920s, shoe stores commonly had fluoroscope (X-ray) machines to check the fit of feet in shoes. The last of these were banned in the late 70s due to increased awareness of health risks from radiation.
awXxM TIL The identity of the blonde female co-lead in the Men Without Hats video for Safety Dance (her character Jenny arc'd through 2 other MWH videos) was kept secret for decades when it was disclosed she was played by Brit Louise Court who'd later become a journalist and editor of Cosmopolitan UK
m1dWP TIL that there is an island in New York called “Just Enough Room,” where there’s just enough room for a tree and a house.
Bg4dr TIL that ants take rest for around 8 Minutes in 12-hour period. In a 24-hour period, two such rest periods occur, however, only one of them bears any resemblance to what we would call sleep.
nWjMo TIL The British Royal family take part in a live firing exercise within the SAS's "Killing House" incase they are ever held hostage. King Charles wrote a letter to the squadron excusing them of any crimes should he accidentally be killed during the exercise.