› added 12 years ago

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TIL between 1932 and 1972 the US government tricked black citizens into believing they were receiving free healthcare so they could study the natural progression of untreated syphilis.

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rRVPd TIL of the Beijing Weather Modification Office, used by the government to control the weather on demand. Examples include creating real snowfall for New Years Day and moving clouds away from the Olympic Stadium to prevent rain by firing chemicals into the sky.
Wky1X TIL of Mamie Johnson, who was a professional Negro League baseball player, with a 33–8 win-loss record and a batting average of .262. She was known as "Peanut" during her career due to her height - 5 feet, 3 inches. After retiring, she went to nursing school and became a nurse for 30 years.
dDXjB TIL that the star Betelgeuse gets its English name due to a 13th century translation error from the Arabic ‘Yad al-Jauzā’ (Hand of Orion) because some one mistook the Arabic letter for Y (ي) for the letter for B (ب). Written as part of a word, the only difference is an extra dot on the bottom for Y.
Agvw TIL in 1914 the British made their first gas attack by releasing 140 tons of chlorine gas and hoping the wind would blow it into German trenches. However, a sudden shift wind direction blew it into their own trenches injuring almost 2000 British soldiers.
KrwG TIL that Boeing offers a free online resource for those interested in starting their own airline, e.g. on airport technology, airplane selection and international agreements.