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TIL During the Mexican-American War, Irish-Americans Fought for Mexico in the 'Saint Patrick's Battalion'

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9Yaom TIL, that first person to recognize that the machine had applications beyond pure calculation was actually a girl: Ada Lovelace. As a result, she is often regarded as the first computer programmer.
dDaGK TIL fax machines were first used in the 1800s
0dAxR TIL Pupil dilation from the dilating eye drops given before an eye test lasts longer in people with blue eyes than brown eyes.
xVg70 TIL that the first ever Ironman Triathlon was won by US Navy Communications Specialist Gordon Haller. The runner-up John Dunbar, a US Navy Seal, was winning after the second transition but lost his lead when he ran out of water and his support crew started giving him beer instead.
EyPX TIL a British man was so fed up with cold-callers he set up his own premium rate number which he asked them to call instead, netting him around £7 a month.