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TIL The potato has been studied by NASA as an important food source for long space voyages, and that the amount of potato plants (grown on board a space ship) needed to sustain one astronaut is also the amount of potato plant required to process the air breathed by one astronaut.

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mxR1E TIL of Theys Eluay, a leader of the peaceful papuan independence movement who was assassinated by indonesian special forces in 2001. When asked about the murder, the indonesian defense minister called the hitmen 'heroes'
4Kwg TIL in 2001 Smith & Wesson lost 40% of their business due to a boycott by the NRA for entering into an agreement with the federal government to put locks on its handguns, and researching and implementing “smart-gun” technology that would only allow the owner to operate it.
oROYA TIL that Winnipeg, Canada was "mock invaded" by German troops during WWII - 3800 troops, tanks, air-raid sirens and black outs - in an effort to sell Victory Loan bonds.
N7PG8 TIL that Americanitis - a “condition” caused by too much stress, too little sleep, rushed meals and the fast paced advance of technology - was “cured” by the Great Depression.
REYa TIL that the first attempt to cross the Atlantic by air included a cat.