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TIL Scotch Tape was named that because scotch used to mean ‘cheap’ and since it wasn’t as sticky as normal tape, someone asked the inventor why he’d gone 'scotch’ on the adhesive.

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via ift.tt

b9NOp TIL that Ben Franklin was involved in the first fraternal hazing death in America. In 1737 a man died after flaming liquid was thrown on him in a mock initiation at the Philadelphia Masonic Temple. Franklin, a Freemason, was a witness, and the perpetrator was found guilty of manslaughter and branded
4X9w5 People like to imagine that they’re the pinnacle of evolution, but the animal kingdom suggests otherwise. The discovery that bumblebees use hair on their legs to detect a flower’s electromagnetic field offers another reminder that human senses don’t always measure up. You share the planet with creatures that can smell veins, see colors you can’t imagine, and communicate through their feet. Here are just a few animals with senses sharper than yours.
p5kp TIL that BBC once trolled an internet troll (who sends vile abuse on memorial pages) by giving the man an unscheduled interview (the troll gave a very disrespectful interview.) BBC aired it with his name and location open and he received a lot of hate that he was forced to delete his account.
ya7M TIL the first Japanese person to obtain a bachelor’s degree was a 21-year-old who snuck a ride to America aboard a U.S. ship in 1864. The ship’s captain had to hide him from Japanese customs officials, as Japan still had the death penalty for anyone who traveled abroad without permission.
awRJ9 TIL about the Milt Kahl Head Swaggle, in the days of 2D animation moving a head while talking was an extremely difficult task as the timing would need to be perfect or it would look unnatural