› added 8 years ago

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TIL That during WW2 more people died manufacturing the German V2 rocket than were killed by the actual use of the weapon.

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YpoKr TIL Central America/Mexico has a jumping spider that exhibits traits and isotopic signatures of herbivorous animals, and while it may steal the occasional ant larvae during particularly dry seasons 90% of it's diet is from protein and fat-rich nubs called Belitan nubs from Mimosaceae trees.
WkWl8 TIL Despite being land locked countries, a Czech-Austrian inventor was the first to use a screw type propeller to power a ship. His ship, Civetta of 48 gross register tons, reached a speed of about 6 knots (11 km/h). This was the first ship successfully driven by an Archimedes screw-type propeller.
7reVZ TIL if you're an American adult, there is a 1/5 chance you have a mental illness.
EVwo TIL that two brothers survived the Lusitania sinking, but became separated in the aftermath. Each sent a telegram to their father explaining that they had survived and were looking for their brother. In receiving both telegrams, their father knew both sons had survived before they knew themselves.
1lED TIL The plane crash deaths of Stephen Colbert’s father and two brothers was the catalyst for the “sterile cockpit” rule, prohibiting flight crews from participating in any activities or conversation outside of their flying duties while the aircraft is below 10,000 feet