› added 11 years ago

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TIL that Space Invaders was so popular it created a shortage of 100 yen coins in Japan, forcing the government to mint more.

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Lk1em TIL Syd Barrett (founding member of Pink Floyd) visited the band in 1975 (years after his departure) unannounced, while they were recording "Wish You Were Here," a song for Barrett. Barrett's appearance had changed so much that most of the band did not recognize him initially.
enn4 TIL there is a company that is building solar roads, which can cheaply and effectively replace the power and communitcations grid.
e0G9k TIL about Appalachiosaurus, the Alabama cousin of the Tyrannosaurus Rex, named in 2005 by Thomas Carr, Thomas Williamson, and David Schwimmer.
JaJm TIL the RMS Empress of Ireland had a cat named Emmy who never missed a voyage until May 28, 1914 when Emmy refused to go aboard. The ship left without her and sunk the next day.
rRX6w TIL the cars Oprah gave away during her famous "You get a car!" episode were donated by General Motors as a promotional stunt, and many of the 'winners' had to pay an additional $7,000 gift tax.