› added 10 years ago

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TIL that in 2008 Speedo, in collaboration with NASA, released a swimsuit so drag-resistant that it was banned from use in swimming competitions for giving swimmers using it too much of an advantage.

Read more nasa.gov

via reddit.com

XEoaR TIL in 2011 when Lisa Lampanelli learned the Westboro Baptist Church planned to protest one of her shows. She promised to donate $1000 for every WBC member that showed up. Ultimately 44 members showed up, and she donated $50,000 to charity with the memo stating “Donation made possible by the WBC”
mAVR TIL that the U.S. Secret Service uses code names (assigned by White House Communications agency) for the U.S. Presidents, first ladies and prominent persons. Earlier it was for security purposes but now it’s just for brevity, clarity and tradition.
0Gdy TIL that a major cause of human rabies deaths in India is faith healing as people believe that they’ve been impregnated by puppies after being bitten by a dog and consult a healer instead of a doctor before it’s too late. This mass hysteria is called Puppy pregnancy syndrome.
xB8g TIL that negotiating with any country on behalf of the US is a felony if you haven’t been given the authority to do so.
yQJYV TIL that Interstate 19 in Arizona is the only highway in the United States to post distances solely in kilometers.