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TIL the great smog of London in 1952 was so bad that pedestrians couldn't even see their feet. Some of the 4,000 who died in the 5 days it lasted didn't suffer lung problems – they fell into the Thames and drowned because they could not see the river

Read more theguardian.com

via reddit.com

A4Zw TIL in feudal Japan lords purposely built homes with squeaky floors as a defensive measure against ninjas.
MeWrK TIL of Grigory Perelman, the mathematician who solved one of the most difficult math problems ever conceived and turned down multiple awards, including a $1 million dollar prize. When questioned by one persistent journalist, he said “you are disturbing me. I am picking mushrooms.”
MeM6W TIL that in Detroit, you can head south and get to Canada.
yBA8 TIL that gagging when we see someone else vomiting is actually an evolved trait among primates. Humans would forage for food in groups. If any member of the group had an adverse reaction due to toxins in the food, it would be advantageous for the other members to take it out of their system too.
rNW5y TIL Michael Peterson AKA Charles Bronson once let his hostage go because the hostage farted in front of him and he was disgusted by it.