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TIL people were using tidal power as early as 600 AD

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kO9dg TIL the story of Eric Betzig, who conceived the idea for the world's first super-resolution microscope while unemployed after quitting his job at Bell Labs due to being frustrated with the scientific community. He built this microscope in his friend's lounge room, and went on to win the Nobel prize.
epePb TIL that there is a rare parasitic disease called Guinea Worm Disease that causes blisters so painful that people seek cool water to alleviate the pain, also allowing the worm to release larvae. The painful blisters led to this worm's nickname of "fiery serpent."
VBpOB TIL Russian Tsar Peter the Great's sister owned 93 dwarves, and Peter himself had a special funeral for his favorite dwarf, which included miniature horses and a "small priest"
1dJ7 TIL Genghis Khan would marry off a daughter to the king of an allied nation, then assign his new son-in-law to military duty in the Mongol wars, while the daughter took over the king’s rule. Most sons-in-law died in combat, allowing him to build a shield around the Mongol lands.
OGgGa TIL honeybees engage in a “dance-debate frenzy” when looking for a new home. Scouts perform a dance in which movements/positions encode directions & vigor indicates quality of a site. Those with opposing views headbutt the dancer: “head-butting seems to be the honeybee signal for ‘shut up!’"