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TIL scientists put slime mold over a map of Tokyo, with food used to represent urban areas, after a day the mold created a network nearly identical to Tokyo's rail network. Which was designed to be as efficient as possible, the slime mold did the same, but without a brain.

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e0oob TIL about a company called Aereo that leased individual antennas and DVRs situated in a remote warehouse. This allowed users to access broadcast TV over the internet. Cable companies sued and the Supreme Court shut them down
w1mJ TIL That a man named Sir Nicholas Winton organised the rescue and passage to Britain of about 669 mostly Jewish Czechoslovakian children destined for the Nazi death camps before World War II. Him at a ceremony surrounded by those he saved.[VIDEO]
xAJ7 TIL that about 90% of ALL American silent films have been permanently lost as well as about half of all American sound films made before 1950.
Yp8EZ TIL to increase circulation of dollar coins, in 2008 the US Mint allowed individuals to purchase in bulk with free shipping. It was quickly exploited as a way to gain frequent flyer miles. People purchased coins with a credit card, then deposited them at their bank to pay the bill, cost free.
D5Qj TIL the San Francisco Bay has an average depth of only about “a swimming pool - 12 to 15 feet”