› added 3 months ago

20

TIL that Roman concrete has lasted for millennia due to its unique ingredients. Unlike modern concrete, which can weaken over time, Roman concrete was made with volcanic ash, lime, and seawater. This mix actually helped it strengthen over the centuries and resist cracking.

Read more news.mit.edu

via reddit.com

69dal TIL about Boris Skossyreff, an emigre due to the Russian Civil War who started appearing publicly as a monarch after a trip to the Principality of Andorra. With the help of an American millionaire heiress, he seized Andorra in 1934 for several days before being arrested by Spanish authorities.
wLdRM TIL of the word kleptocracy, which is a government with corrupt leaders that use their power and position to advance their own personal wealth.
wLBA1 TIL Humans are incredible long distance runners. There’s a Man vs Horse marathon held in Wales annually since 1980. It’s been won by a human multiple times after the first human winner in 2004.
brP4 TIL The U.S.S. Enterprise had a six-lane bowling alley on board.
VBBp8 TIL The Greek physician Hippocrates noted that naturally fat people tend to die ealier than those who are slender. It is also better to be larger when young but a smaller stature is better in old age