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TIL David Koresh, leader of the Branch Davidians, was born Vernon Wayne Howell. He changed his name to "David Koresh" in 1990, reflecting his belief in the biblical lineage of King David. "Koresh" is the Hebrew name for Cyrus, the Persian king who freed Jews from Babylonian captivity.

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loAnA TIL of the Mosquito machine and ringtone. The machine emits a high-pitched buzz that drives away loiterers and can be tuned to be heard only by teens. The ringtone, created by sampling the machine tone, uses the same buzz to make phones ring without being heard by teachers or another adults.
1Ve8 TIL ancient Egyptians used meteorites as jewelry
OGeL7 TIL The invention of the original silly string was accidental. Was originally intended as a spray-on instant cast for fractures.
6lal TIL that the last president to have a net worth under a million dollars was Harry Truman in 1945
xVwM1 TIL About the Cardiff Tower. Hidden in plain sight in a largely Jewish community just south of Beverly Hills, exists a working oil derrick, disguised to look like a Synagogue.