› added 9 years ago

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TIL The US Army Special Forces have a training exercise where they have to liberate a fake country called “Pineland” in the style of a LARP. Since the exercise is based within an actual town, actual civilians are often called upon to preform roles such as shopkeepers or torturers.

rRXay TIL That the medieval romantic trope of a Knight guarding a bridge or gate and forbidding passage unless dueled has a historical basis in the "Pas d'armes" where "any other knight who wished to pass must first fight, or be disgraced."
gdpA TIL David Prowse, the guy in the Darth Vader suit in the original trilogy, is banned by George Lucas from all Star Wars events.
pYJnA TIL as the creators of Game of Thrones, David Benioff & Dan Weiss, were "contractually guaranteed producer credits" on all GOT spinoffs, however they declined credits on House of the Dragon & the "free money" that came with it because they weren't involved with it & felt the strain wasn't worth it.
QNK6d TIL According to the International Olympic Committee, gold and silver medals are required to be at least 92.5% silver. The gold in gold medals is in the plating outside and consist of at least 6 grams of pure gold. Silver medals are made of pure silver, while bronze medals are 95% copper and 5% zinc
p8rdA TIL about 1/3 of new cars no longer come with a spare tire. While some have run-flat tires, having no spare tires decreases weight and increases fuel economy.... and also quietly saves car companies millions of dollars a year