› added 12 years ago

99

TIL that no one knows who invented the fire hydrant, because its patent was burned in a fire.

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GY06E TIL about Trasmoz, a town in Spain that was excommunicated for witchcraft in the 13th century, with Pope Julius II also cursing the village in 1511. Neither the excommunication or curse have been lifted. Every June, during the Feria de Brujeria festival, one person is named as 'Witch of the Year'.
loAdV TIL in 1958, Frank Herbert was talking with his friend from the Quileute tribe, whose lands were being destroyed due to excessive logging. The man said white people were "gonna turn this whole planet into a wasteland, just like North Africa." This inspired Herbert to write Dune.
p8mB4 TIL that Medical Bills and illness account for 2/3 of the bankruptcy filings in the US.
xVjyb TIL Earring Magic Ken was released in 1993. The re-designed Ken looked like a stereotypical gay man. Kitsch-minded gay men bought the doll in record numbers - making Earring Magic Ken the best-selling Ken model in Mattel's history
yQXpw TIL about the Crypt of Civilisation time capsule at Oglethorpe in Atlanta, the oldest millennial time capsule conceived in 1936 that is set to be opened in 8113