› added 1 year ago

562

TIL France’s involvement in the American Revolution left the country on the verge of bankruptcy, and led to increase in taxation, and thus French Revolution

Read more history.com

via reddit.com

rNmNe TIL that over 5,000 dead fish, crabs, and other sea creatures were embedded in the ice skating rink at Space World in Japan. Some were arranged to spell "HELLO". Visitors called it a waste of life, so a memorial service was held and the fish repurposed as fertilizer.
a8AgZ TIL on 10 May 1977, Donald J. Smith and his father, Frank J. Smith, of Orlando, Florida, were awarded a patent for their variation of the comb over that conceals baldness by combing long hair in three separate directions.
M7xjK TIL after being scolded by a woman who felt that his shoes were too expensive for kids, Shaq forwent a $40 million deal with Reebok & signed one with Walmart. He then brought in designers from Reebok so that his Walmart shoes would look costlier than the $20 price. Over 400 million pairs were sold.
N71yJ TIL Charles Strite invented pop-up toaster (and nothing else) out of frustration. At the time, bread had to be turned manually in order to toast both sides, which resulted in cafeterias serving burnt toast most of the time.
awBW0 TIL That there are 3 raptor species (known by Aboriginals as 'Firehawks') in Australia that intentionally spread wildfires by grabbing a burning stick from a wildfire, flying it to a new area and drop it. Small mammals run from the blaze, which are scooped up by the birds.