› added 10 years ago

273

TIL that NASA flew an F-106B through 1,496 thunderstorms on purpose to improve aviation lightning protection standards. It was hit by lightning 714 times.

Read more nasa.gov

via reddit.com

JLG1 TIL wild bananas are full of seeds and the ones we eat have been specially bred over the years to be seedless
Y70kx TIL U.S. railroads adopted the Standard Time System on the "Day of Two Noons." On Nov. 18, 1883, the Univ. of Pittsburgh's observatory telegraphed railroads at the exact moment of high noon under the 90th meridian line to reset/synchronize their clocks, dissolving the 100+ timezones previously used.
M7MMA TIL in 2007 scientists discovered Sildenafil (Viagra) helps treat jet lag recovery in hamsters.
KJaG TIL that for a science fair experiment in 1969, a 14 year old scientist used genes to change chicken feathers from white to partially black, which his teacher said was playing God.
rOK0 TIL a chemical, Cabergoline, has been clinically shown to eliminate the male refractory period, “thereby allowing men to experience multiple ejaculatory orgasms in rapid succession.”