› added 12 years ago

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TIL that the Shuttle Enterprise was originally meant to be named “Constitution”. However, after a letter-writing campaign by Star Trek fans directly to Gerald Ford, the president instructed NASA to change the name.

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via reddit.com

4k6Og TIL that It is believed that the idea of a ladder was used over 10,000 years ago. Cave paintings of them were discovered in a cave in Spain. Whoever invited the first ladder is still unknown.
R7pwQ TIL a man was snorkeling off the coast of South Africa when an enormous Bryde's whale scooped him up in his mouth headfirst. The man felt pressure on his body but soon realized he was too big for the whale to swallow him whole which was "kind of an instant relief." The whale spat him out unharmed.
xVeQD TIL that California produces 82% of the world’s almonds.
e0yK6 TIL that last year a Japanese company launched a satellite into space that can artificially recreate a meteor shower. This spring it should reach the right position and the first test shower will be released over Hiroshima. They expect a colorful meteor shower visible in an area up to 200km wide.
neAPP TIL according to the payroll records of the French monasteries, a significant minority of the names were female. The medieval church was sexist, but women as well as men built the cathedrals.