› added 4 years ago

50

TIL that, contrary to popular belief, friction is not the primary cause of spacecraft heating up on re-entry. Rather, the heat comes from the air in front of the craft being highly compressed. This is also why the leading edges get the hottest.

Read more wikipedia.org

via reddit.com

M7XV7 TIL that the final bastion of ancient Rome was the Principality of Theodoro on Crimea which lasted till 1475. With the conquest of Mangup by Ottoman forces, the Principality was taking with it the last remnant of the Byzantine Empire, after 2,228 years of existence of Roman civilization.
P06e TIL just as the ribbon was about to be cut on the Sydney harbour bridge, a man in military uniform rode up on a horse, slashing the ribbon with his sword and opening it in the name of the people of New South Wales before the official ceremony began. He was promptly arrested.
OoA66 TIL The Flintstones used to advertise cigarettes
v1rp7 TIL 8 Canadian have died in charity boxes between 2015-2019. People get trapped while trying to steal donations, or when seeking shelter.
8aQwV TIL that for years after CD players hit the market they remained unpopular and were mostly limited to fans of classical music. Dire Straights then released "Brothers in Arms", the first totally digital album. It sold 30 million copies and is credited with launching CD players into the mainstream.