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TIL the platypus was initially believed to be a hoax by European scientists who discovered it. The platypus is a unique mammal that lays eggs, has a duck-like bill, a beaver-like tail, otter-like feet. However, indigenous Aboriginal people were already aware of the creature's existence.

WEBd TIL Robert Ballard’s mission to find the Titanic, was actually a secret Cold War mission to find and investigate wrecked nuclear submarines Thresher and Scorpion. They finished earlier, so they spent the extra time looking for the Titanic and found it.
JydV TIL the word “avocado” comes from the Nahuatl word āhuacatl meaning “testicle” because of the likeness between the fruit hanging on the tree and the bodypart.
5nRp TIL Bolivia’s largest prison has a society within itself and no guards inside the walls. Inmates elect their own leaders, make their own laws, get jobs to pay for their cell’s rent, and can even live with their families.
1a0aW TIL the attempted escape from Alcatraz on May 4, 1946 was inadvertently foiled for two reasons: the six convicts unknowingly jammed the door with several wrong keys and a prison guard previously held the right key (against prison regulations). This led to the Battle of Alcatraz that cost five lives.
pVP4 TIL when regulators were considering limiting the use of flame retardants in furniture, a doctor gave up his liscense after telling lawmakers false stories of babies who suffered fatal burns while on cushioning that lacked flame retardants. The industry secretly paid him $240,000 for his testimony.