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TIL learned that in 1985 a guy programmed his computer to call Jerry Falwell Sr's toll free prayer line every 30 seconds for 8 months. It clogged up the lines and cost them over $750k in reverse charges.

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E1Gmw TIL That the Wright Brothers, often credited with inventing, building, and flying the world's first successful motor-operated airplane, were also known for their subsequent Patent War, which was credited for stalling development of the U.S. aviation industry
a87rL TIL Soren Kierkegaard's first publish work was a panned review of Hans Christian Andersen. It ignited a life-long feud between the two Danes. Andersen responded by caricaturing the existentialist in "The Galoshes of Fortune," where Kierkegaard is portrayed as an annoying parrot who makes no sense.
kOrrE TIL The last adult head of state during WW2, King Michael of Romania, died under a year ago. He met Hitler multiple times and is credited of shorting WW2 by about 6 months by ousting its fascist dictator in 1944.
b9a1p TIL of Kari's Law. In 2013 a woman was murdered in a hotel room by her husband while her nine-year-old daughter tried to call 911 four times. The calls did not go through because the hotel phones required all calls to start with 9 (making 911 9911). The law removes the need for the 9 in hotel phones
e0eE TIL that 60 years ago, the idea of a politician soliciting campaign contributions was so frowned-upon that Nixon was very nearly kicked off the Republican ticket for doing it