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TIL that Martin Scorsese’s film Hugo was inspired by a real event, wherein an automaton donated to Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute was restored to find that it could draw elaborate Illustrations and write poems.

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9YxZ6 TIL two mediums transcribed Mark Twain's alleged last book via ouija board, titled "Jap Herron". Clara Clemens blocked the publication to stop it from smearing her father's good name.
WkPKN TIL that in 2011, the IIHS crash tested two 1973 Chevy Impalas with airbags and the airbags performed flawlessly despite their age and early technology.
XP5r TIL that many people experience the “broken escalator phenomenon”; when stepping on to an obviously broken escalator, these people step onto it inappropriately fast and experience dizziness and imbalance, despite knowing that the escalator is stationary.
kJ0a1 TIL that Duluth, Minnesota is the world's farthest inland port accessible to oceangoing ships. It’s accessible to the Atlantic Ocean 2,300 miles (3,700 km) away via the Great Lakes Waterway and St. Lawrence Seaway.
6EaRZ TIL the Vatican investigated child actress Shirley Temple after accusations she was not actually a child, but a 30-year-old midget. The rumors were fueled by her mature acting skill and "stocky" body type.