› added 3 years ago

319

TIL that “lead” pencils have never actually contained lead, but the Romans used lead as a writing tool.

Read more mcgill.ca

via reddit.com

EW4W TIL that Jeffrey Lee turned down $5 billion for his piece of land in Australia. The 1,228 hectar contain about 14,000 tonnes of Uranium. He is the last member of the aboriginal Djok clan and believes that there will be a catastrophe if you disturb the spirits below the earth.
YpoR7 TIL Jim Henson originally wanted the Muppets to be for adults and didn't see his characters as a vehicle for children's education and family entertainment. Indeed, he first envisioned something closer to South Park rather than Sesame Street and in the 1950s they did dark comedy in commercials.
NPnN TIL There will be a solar eclipse on November 3rd of this year, it will be visible in North and South America, South Europe, and Africa.
W7yY TIL Sweden has one of the Western world’s toughest drug policies (including cannabis)
YpNov TIL the Hungarian physician Semmelweis proved that doctors washing their hands (not yet standard for mid-19th century Europe) greatly reduced hospital maternal mortality.As germs weren't discovered yet,he was ridiculed & later dismissed from his post. He mentally broke down & died in a mental asylum