› added 6 years ago

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TIL walking before solving a problem improves your creativity by an average of 60%.

KOZgE TIL - In the mid 19th Century, the belief persisted that weather was completely unpredictable. When one MP suggested in the Commons in 1854 that recent advances in scientific theory might soon allow them to know the weather in London "twenty-four hours beforehand", the House roared with laughter.
7rekp TIL the first weight-loss surgery was to the king of Leon, Spain during the 10th century. His morbid obesity made him lose the throne so his grandmother escorted him to Cordoba where a doctor sewed his lips shut, his food only coming from a straw. He lost half his weight and reclaimed the throne.
kNjg TIL “Devils Advocate” was an official position within the Catholic Church, the Devils Advocate would argue against any proposed sainthood in order to uncover any hidden or overlooked flaws
wLNWM TIL about Aljamiado, the use of the Arabic script for transcribing European languages, namely Spanish and other Iberian languages of the time. Aljamiado has been used before as well as after the Inquisition by the Moriscos as a way for them to preserve their culture and religion.
jd5N TIL In ancient China, during the Imperial Exams people were isolated in small rooms for 3 days with only a jug of water, a chamber pot, and writing supplies. To prevent favoritism official typists would copy all the exams so the examiners wouldn’t recognize the handwriting of the exam takers.