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TIL that the hardened, outer wing on beetles is called Elytra

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E1yaw TIL that during the chrysalis faze of metamorphosis, a caterpillar digests itself by releasing enzymes that break down all of its tissues. Specialized groups of cells survive the process and use the protein-rich soup to build the adult body parts of the butterfly.
Br9gD TIL about Dick Assman, a Canadian gas station employee whose name propelled him to celebrity status in North America for four months in 1995
Wkn89 TIL in 1816 a volcanic event led to what is known as the Year Without a Summer, originating an agricultural disaster. The lack of horse food inspired Karl Drais to research new ways of horseless transportation, leading to the invention of the velocipede, a step torwards mechanized personal transport
69dv8 TIL: Apples are only in season between Sept and Nov but Controlled Atmosphere Storage has allowed us to consume apples all year round.
rbky TIL George Washington inoculated his troops against smallpox, reducing a 17% death rate from the disease down to 1%