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TIL that the first nuclear submarine used wooden bearings for its propeller; Lignum Vitae is the hardest traded wood, fourth hardest wood ever discovered, and is "self oiling".

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9w8NX TIL The US banned sliced bread during WWII as a rationing measure to save the wax paper and plastic used to wrap it. The ban was reversed 3 months later because there was widespread consumer backlash and savings were less than anticipated.
e0g4L TIL About Rags. A stay mutt found by a U.S. soldier in WW1, Rags became the mascot of the 1st Infantry Division after he saved hundreds of lives by running messages under fire. When Rags was injured he was sent to a field hospital with an order from HQ "The dog gets attention same as soldiers"
J16Oj TIL Thought destroyed by Nazis, a priceless mosaic owned by Roman emperor Caligula ended up as a coffee table for 50 years in a NYC apartment
mxnYp TIL that cat allergy is not related to the cat fur at all. Animal allergy is caused by the microscopic sticky pet dander proteins that float in the air, carrying saliva, dust and other allergens around.
kO8vg TIL a CIA project called 'Operation Paperclip' allowed hundreds of Nazi scientists to live freely in the US providing them cushy jobs and a high standard of living. Many of these scientists have committed horrendous war crimes, like experimenting on live humans with chemical and biological weapons