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TIL that ethologist John B. Calhoun created "rat utopias" in order to conduct over-population experiments between 1958 and 1962. Ultimately, the experiments ended in societal collapse.

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OGoZe TIL almost half a million US households lack indoor plumbing
v1BJ8 TIL that in the early 1800’s the Russians tried to invade Hawaii, which was an independent kingdom at the time. However, a force of natives and American traders expelled them and forced them to return to Russia.
awxKb TIL The medieval "plague costume" beak was for smell — it was filled with herbs to mask the smell of the dying. Modern nurses do a similar thing in hospitals today. It is common for nurses to rub alcohol under their nose, under a respirator or face mask, to hide the scent of a patient's wounds.
b6kDa TIL that during WWII, the U.S. Army designed a grenade to be the same size and weight as a baseball, making it easier for American soldiers to throw.
wjOo TIL that when Ichiro Suzuki learned the Seattle Mariners were going to give him #51, the same number worn by pitching great Randy Johnson, he sent Johnson a personal message promising not to bring shame to the uniform