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TIL that the PNG format was developed because the GIF compression algorithm (LZW) was patented by Unisys, which required a usage fee. The patent expired in 2003 in the USA and in 2004 in Europe

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via reddit.com

R7en6 TIL That the designer of the 90s Disney video games Aladdin and Goof Troop to the Super Nintendo were designed by none other than Shinji Mikami, that created Resident Evil, who also helped produce many other famous video game series
4XApo TIL about the failed assassination attempt on Andrew Jackson. Following a congressional funeral, the assailant attempted to shoot him, however his pistol misfired. He then pulled out a second loaded pistol, it too misfired. Jackson responded by clubbing the man with his walking cane several times.
6mNX TIL that in 1645, the French governor of Haiti imported over 1.600 prostitutes and sent them to the pirate haven of Tortuga in order to calm the pirates down a bit.
GAwMQ TIL about the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest armed uprising in American history since the Civil War and a resounding example of how far the ruling elite will go to quell any attempt to challenge their hegemony, including calling upon the U.S. Army.
MQP0 TIL in 1993 the NSA was almost successful requiring a chip in all communication devices that would essentially outlaw public key encryptions and give them a backdoor to… everything.