› added 5 years ago

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TIL Spain’s S-80 submarine program designed subs that were 70 tonnes too heavy, and likely sink when submerged. Cost overruns to fix it are expected to reach $9 billion. The problem was traced back to an engineer misplacing a decimal point, and had been called the most expensive math error ever.

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e0Ln TIL that in 2006 a Penis was grown in a Lab and Successfully Transplanted onto a Rabbit
yQP9M TIL About John Cromwell, an American WWII submarine commander who chose to go down with his submarine rather than be captured by the Japanese, fearing he wouldn’t be able to withhold secrets under interrogation
eN4J TIL of Alamjan Nematilaev who in 2003, aged 7, went to a hospital after movements were detected in his enlarged abdomen. An operation intended to remove a cyst uncovered the fetus of Alamjan’s identical twin brother, which had lived as a parasitic growth inside the boy throughout his entire life.
RLgw TIL that Glucose (Sugar) has an opposite “handed” isomer L-glucose, that tastes identical and isn’t metabolized as sugar, also safe for diabetics. Unfortunately, L-glucose costs 50% more than gold.
VMaW0 TIL that snapping shrimps (the family Alpheidae), which grow to only 3-5cm long, compete with sperm whales for title of loudest animal in the ocean. Their snaps are capable of stunning fish and breaking glass jars. In numbers, the shrimp can interfere with sonar and underwater communication.