› added 12 years ago

86

TIL That Bender from Futurama and The Nintendo Entertainment System share the same microprocessor.

kOX84 TIL that the first regiments, i.e. military units named as such with a relatively modern organization, started to be formed in the 16th century by private contractors with kings and other state entities. We still have examples of the contracts that were signed for this purpose.
4kdjJ TIL about “sex offenders island”. Washington’s McNeil Island houses 214 sex offenders too dangerous to be released following prison. Annual reviews for release include a penile plethysmography, a tool designed to measure sexual arousal.
kOloW TIL The final episode of Perry Mason was set in a TV studio, offering the entire production crew an opportunity to appear on camera. Most of the behind-the-scenes personnel in the episode had been with the show the entire nine year run. The original author, Erle Gardner, appeared too.
MejAW TIL that a jury of 12 black and 12 white men was recruited by United States Circuit Court in preparation for the trial of Jefferson Davis the president of the Confederation. In the end no trials took place, one reason being that if lost the decision could validate that secession was constitutional.
b9PQN TIL Johnny Knoxville turned down a spot on SNL. SNL saw a demo tape of his show Jackass and offered him a spot on the show. However, he turned it down "because he wanted to work with his friends and have full control of his work."