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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.

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ANEyd TIL that cicadas wings surfaces are not only superhydrophobic, but also bacteria landing on the wing surface are not repelled; rather, their membranes are torn apart by the nanoscale-sized spikes, making the wing surface the first-known biomaterial that can kill bacteria.
vmD4 TIL that in WWII Charles Lindbergh instructed P-38 pilots how to stretch their typical 7 hour maximum flight endurance time to 9 hours (an extra 400 miles of range), which dramatically changed Pacific Theater operations
pY6kG TIL: The Maqlû is an ancient anti witchcraft Akkadian text. It is comprised of nearly 100 incantations that must be performed in one night to take the lives of evil sorcerers and witches. The ritual was mentioned in a letter from the exorcist Nabû-nādin-šumi to the Assyrian king Esarhaddon.
X0wMr TIL Sony invented a process for CD mastering called "Super Bit Mapping" (SBM), which virtually allows a CD to have a bit depth of 20 bits per sample while still effectively using the PCM one of 16 bits.
0wn7R TIL Not long after Julius Caesar was assassinated, a comet shone for seven successive days. This signified Julius Caesar's ascension to Godhood, and propaganda for Caesar's nephew. The comet was described as: "To make that soul a star that burns forever, Above the Forum and the gates of Rome."