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TIL that a paper centrifuge has been designed by Manu Prakash in 2016 based on spinning toy, whirligig. It can reach 20,000 rotations per minute and can be used to separate plasma from blood and malarial parasites, operate with hands without electricity and costs 20 cents.

Read more nature.com

via reddit.com

oRWyo TIL the 2024 Summer Olympics will include a breakdancing competition.
vPGWx TIL of the Golden Gate Bridge Bolt, a concept for a roller coaster that would scale the Golden Gate Bridge at a height of over 700 feet and a top speed of over 200 miles an hour. City officials rejected this concept in fear of drivers being too distracted by the coaster.
gMQEA TIL that numerous countries have very different names in their native languages: China is Zhōngguó, Egypt is Misr, South Korea is Hanguk, North Korea is Chosŏn, Hungary is Magyarország, Armenia is Hayastán, Albania is Shqipëria, Georgia is Sak'art'velo, Bhutan is Druk Yul, and many more
MeLXB TIL that the trope of pirates saying "ARRR" was popularised by actor Robert Newton who played Long John Silver in the 1950 Disney film. In Treasure Island, Long John Silver is from the west country and so Newton took slang from the region and exaggerated it. "ooh arr" means "yes"
rRmxo TIL Hoy Fung Sriracha "Rooster Sauce", a billion dollar company, and one of the most recognizable hot sauce brands has never advertised its products, relying instead on word of mouth.