› added 12 years ago

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TIL the Eiffel Tower was originally planned to be demolished in 1909, but was saved because it was repurposed as a giant radio antenna. And in 1913, the tower transmitted a signal all the way to Washington DC.

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Wv7d TIL that a group of islands in the Pacific called the Pitcairn Islands are some of the most remote islands in the world with a population of ~50 people. The islands have a very interesting history and are accepting applications for new residents!
5YOPk TIL that patients who suffered from aphasia, the inability to express speech, can start to produce words by singing. This is because aphasia damages the left hemisphere of the brain, while singing uses the right hemisphere.
rNyQy TIL that in 1860 the original 13th amendment to the Constitution was intended to preserve slavery in the states that already had it. Known as the Corwin Amendment, it was an attempt to forestall secession. It was passed by Congress, but ratification by states was suspended when the Civil War began.
X0Prr TIL of research into genetically engineering humans for space and living on other planets. One method is epigenome engineering and would target genes advantageous for space. Another method is to combine the DNA of other species (i.e. tardigrades) with human cells to make humans better fit for space.
E1Xko TIL about The Armillary Sphere in the Venetian hotel at Las Vegas. The mermaid sculpture on the sphere has secret artwork hidden behind its breasts. Until it was revealed in 2014, the artwork was just thought to be a rumor.