› added 12 years ago

145

TIL The olympic flame has gone out at least 44 times in Russia.

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VM9YD TIL that the inventor of Velcro took 20 years to take his idea from concept to production and even then the apparel industry wasn't sold on it. It wasn't until NASA came along asking about it for use in space that the fashion industry then went wild due to it now being space aged.
WkalA TIL King George had a reply to the Declaration of Independence sent back called An Answer to the Declaration of the American Congress. It picked apart the Declaration at length, including pointing out that one cannot claim "all men are created equal" when the Colonies still allowed slavery.
p86L8 TIL that Emilia Clarke performed the funky chicken and robot dances at her Game of Thrones audition.
8ajL4 TIL about the Johnson Treatment, a strategy used by Lyndon B. Johnson to get legislation passed. Johnson, who was 6'4", would invade the personal space of the target and issue a disorientating stream of flattery, threats and persuasion that would leave the target unable to counter.
x60j0 TIL the Roman Emperor Otho had been a close friend and confidant of Nero and restored his public image and that of their wife Poppea Sabina after he seized power, but personally was ambivalent about being hailed as “Nero Otho” by supporters.