› added 12 years ago

103

TIL Campfire smoke follows you because it sucks air towards it. By standing next to it, you create a vacuum between you and the fire, which the smoke tends to fill.

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6ENkJ TIL that gunpowder was invented in the 9th century by Chinese alchemists who were (ironically) searching for an elixir for immortality.
1a0B4 TIL Winston Churchill was the 3rd great grandson of a Major in the Revolutionary War.
GWy1 TIL Rooney Mara had her nipples pierced for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and kept them in anticipation of a sequel (which I’m still waiting for…)
JYKMl TIL there is a scientifically best way to wash your hands.
awB1A TIL of the micromort, a unit of risk defined as one one-in-a-million chance of death. Travelling 10km on a bike, 400km in a car, and 10,000km via jet all expose you to 1 μmt of risk. Simply existing at age 90 exposes you to 300 μmt a day.