› added 13 years ago

130

TIL that more than half of the Apples harvested worldwide are grown in China. And while the U.S. ranks second it grows only 6 percent.

Read more wikipedia.org

via reddit.com

5VykP TIL some bricks have indentations called “frogs,” which reduce their weight and provide a key for mortar, enhancing the bond between bricks.
gMNaL TIL that in 2012, 10 year old Clara Lazen accidentally invented a new type of molecule called Tetranitratoxycarbon, they found out when she assembled carbon, oxygen and nitrogen atoms in a random way on a model. The teacher passed it on to a friend, and it was new. In the paper, she was credited.
wLRJE TIL A top NASA astronaut was accused of hacking her estranged spouse's bank account from space
yQrEe TIL that it can take up to 40 years after exposure to asbestos for any symptoms of an asbestos-related disease to manifest (mesothelioma etc). By this stage, it's often too late to do anything to reverse the effects of the disease.
Oodv6 TIL, the phrase "balls to the wall" originated from early aircraft pilots and their ball-ended throttle levers and actually has nothing to do with testicles.