› added 8 years ago

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TIL that alchemist Hennig Brand believed that he could distill gold from human urine. After stockpiling 1,500 gallons of the liquid and boiling it, he discovered phosphorus.

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QmbL TIL the first stapler was made in the 18th century for King Lioux XV and each staple was inscribed with the insignia of the royal court.
neWvY TIL in July 2010 Sogen Kato was thought to be the oldest living Japanese man until his remains were discovered in his bedroom where he died 32 years before
16pgW TIL about the Hessdalen lights: These are unexplained lights that have been observed in the Hessdalen valley in Norway since the 1940s. The lights appear as floating orbs and have been witnessed by thousands of people over the years.
J1ya4 TIL that the singer of Toto is the son of John Williams (composer for Star Wars, Jurassic Park, etc)
J1wlQ TIL Sonora Carver, one of the first female horse divers, went blind from retinal detachment while diving with her horse, Red Lips, at an Atlantic City show in 1931. Despite her permanent injury, she continued horse diving for another 11 years.