› added 8 years ago

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TIL that to protect the final Harry Potter book from leaking to the public, a 10-million pounds security operation featuring satellite tracking systems and armed security with K-9 units was used. A Scholastic lawyer also physically sat on a copy during flight to prevent any potential loss.

xVoXw TIL our minds have the ability to "override" a sound depending on what you see while hearing the sound. This audio illusion is the McGurk effect and occurs regardless of whether or not you are aware of it.
VWy8 TIL that the Swiss civil war lasted only one month and ended with only 100 casualties, most of which were the result of friendly fire.
XEej8 TIL although iodine was added to table salt in the U.S. beginning in 1924 as an antidote to goiters caused by iodine deficiency, it had the unanticipated side effect of raising the national IQ by an average of 3.5 points.
6EBml TIL that in the 1940s and 1950s, hundreds of thousands of members of the US armed forces were exposed to ionizing radiation from nuclear testing during active duty. These "atomic veterans" were sworn to secrecy, and many received no treatment or compensation for the illnesses they later developed.
yQr6e TIL Tony Marohn purchased a 1924 Palmer Union Oil Company stock certificate for $5 at a estate sale. Palmer Union Oil was a predecessor to the Coca-Cola Company and the stock was worth $130 million. Due to legalities he was unable to redeem the stock and after litigation his family received nothing.