› added 1 year ago

66

TIL that in China, there is a problem with "gutter oil", which refers to recycled oil and is often oil that is actually scooped out of sewers and taken to a refinement facility. The oil then ends up sold at a discounted price, often to restaurants, and is visually very similar to new oil.

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mxDER TIL Mary Kay Letourneau's father was Richard Nixon's congressman from 1970-1973. Despite both being Republicans Nixon was too liberal for him so they didn't get along. Nixon personally recruited the candidate who knocked him out of office in 1972.
AD6oa TIL Al Matthews (actor), who portrayed GySgt Apone in Aliens, was an actual U.S. Marine with 13 combat awards including 2 Purple Hearts. Matthews, who was also the inspiration for Sgm Johnson in the Halo series, was one of the first African American Marines in Vietnam to be promoted to Sergeant.
jNElE TIL before she became a world famous chef, Julia Child worked as a spy for the Allies during WWII. She also invented shark repellent.
grjdX TIL that the Pubic Wars was a rivalry between Playboy and Penthouse magazines in the 60s and 70s to gradually show more pubic hair on their models without drawing obscenity charges. The “war” ended when Hustler magazine launched and immediately showed more graphic photographs.
p8oVN TIL about Silver Star recipient SFC Alwyn Cashe. SFC Cashe was injured and soaked with fuel after a complex ambush in the Iraq. He entered a burning vehicle three times and pulled six soldiers to their safety. SFC Cashe received burns on 75% of his body, injuries he eventually succumbed to.