› added 12 years ago

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TIL Its not actually true that the US space program spent millions on developing a pen that worked in space, whereas the Russians just used a pencil. They both used pencils at first, but the shavings and chipped graphite floating around were harmful to the astronauts and computers

8evjG TIL Vulfpeck was one of the first ever bands to sell out Madison Square Garden without a manager or record label
kOk5d TIL In 1883, gifts were distributed after a show in Victoria Hall. Many of the estimated 1100 children surged downstairs, but the door opened inward and had been bolted so only one could pass at a time. Those in front were crushed by those behind them. 183 children between the ages of 3 and 14 died.
ddNj TIL of Henry Moseley, who rearranged the Periodic Table based on atomic mass and died aged only 27 in WW1. Isaac Asimov said of his death, ‘in view of what he might still have accomplished … his death might well have been the most costly single death of the War to mankind generally’.
v1JNr TIL A century ago there were 100,000 tigers. Now there are just 3,900 remain in the wild. About 75% of the world's tiger population live in just one country.
Bgrlb TIL the hummingbird brain is 4.2% of its body weight, twice higher than the human brain at only 2% proportionally.They remember well their migration routes, and the yard and flowers they visited the previous year. Some consider them sacred, and in mythology they are healers helping people in need.