› added 12 years ago

190

TIL that in Britain, when someone wins £1,000,000 on their Premium bonds, a woman called Agent Million arrives at their door and delivers the news. It is completely confidential: only her employers and her husband know her identity.

Read more thisismoney.co.uk

via reddit.com

6E4ww TIL that humor is one of four core defense mechanisms classified as "mature." The three others are sublimation, altruism, and suppression. For this reason, individuals who have endured significant trauma often have a keen sense of a humor. In other words, the trauma adds a little spice.
QrXM TIL that on July 23, 1983, Air Canada’s Flight 143, with 69 people onboard, ran out of fuel at an altitude of 41,000 ft. The pilot managed to glide the plane down safely as he was a very experienced glider pilot. 22,300 pounds of jet fuel had been put in instead of 22,300 kg.
W7pjY TIL about Sir Carton de Wiart, the most wounded British officer, injured 11 times across three wars, losing an eye and a hand. He even survived a plane crash and was captured by the Italians in WWII. His bravery earned him the Victoria Cross, the highest British military award for gallantry
jNK5Q TIL world famous mime Marcel Marceau appears in the 1976 Mel Books film "Silent Movie". He has the only speaking role.
7rjDP TIL In the 1940s, cars were painted with a hand-spraying technique that would accumulate overspray, which would build up and be baked repeatedly in the ovens used to cure the paint on the vehicles. These paint clumps (known as Fordite) were salvaged, cut, and polished for jewelry.