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TIL: The inventor of the Lava Light, an accountant, originally didn't envision his product associating with groovy psychedelic hippie culture. An ad for them in the straight-laced American Bar Association Journal pitched an "executive" desk version mounted on a walnut base beside a ballpoint pen.

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KYlJR TIL that In 2011, a Chinese construction company called Broad Sustainable Building built a 30-story hotel called the T30 in just 15 days in the city of Hunan. See comments for the rest.
GAQOQ TIL in the Battle of Schöngrabern, during the Napoleonic Wars, the French captured a bridge over the Danube at Vienna by falsely claiming that an armistice had been signed, and then rushing the bridge while the guards were distracted.
dDLx7 TIL in 2007 Trey Parker & Matt Stone, creators of South Park, negotiated an ad-sharing deal with Comedy Central that gave the creators a 50-50 split on all digital revenue. Those digital rights helped them reportedly sign a $935 million, six-year deal in 2021; one of the biggest deals in TV history.
gM4VL TIL in 1880s Britain, a fraudulent organization "catfished" singles by advertising high-class matches. Once a fee was paid, the promised wealthy matches disappeared and were replaced with working-class matches. After the organization was raided, they mocked the victims in court for being gullible.
OojAe TIL that Baylisascaris or "Raccoon Roundworm" can infected humans and other mammals through ingestion of Raccoon feces. The larvae migrate to the brains and eyes and cause damage making the organism easier prey for the raccoon.