› added 1 year ago

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TIL: Natural gas has no odor. Gas companies add a harmless chemical called mercaptan to give it its distinctive “rotten egg” smell.

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via reddit.com

4B6J TIL the phrase “balls to the wall” has nothing to do with genitalia, but actually originally refers to a mechanism found in steam engines.
j64Qa TIL that in 1972 a 33-year-old Hungarian geologist attacked Michelangelo's Pietà statue in St. Peter's Basilica wielding a geologist's hammer and shouting, "I am Jesus Christ—risen from the dead". Prior to this, he had moved to Rome intending to be recognised as Christ by the Pope.
rRvNw TIL that in 1973, Johnny Carson joked about a non-existent "toilet paper shortage" that caused hoarding -- and a shortage.
NXXwb TIL that in 1893, Oregon Governor Sylvester Pennoyer was asked by the Grover Cleveland Administration to use his resources to protect Chinese Americans. Pennoyer responded to the request via a telegram which simply told the President to mind his business.
gMbvy TIL Amsterdam would rather people pee on a crowded street corner than in a hidden spot. Why wouldn’t they put them somewhere else?