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TIL that in 1917, during World War I, the British Army tried to train seagulls to poop on German U-boat periscopes to obscure their view. They even tested it with fake periscopes on beaches, but the gulls were more interested in stealing sandwiches than sinking submarines.

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loEvN TIL Andy Kaufman demanded that his alter ego, Tony Clifton, a drunken, cigarette smoking lounge singer/insult comic, have guest appearances on Taxi with his own separate contract. After showing up to set with 2 prostitutes, Clifton was fired. A week later, Andy showed up as if nothing had happened.
Oomx1 TIL: For a period of time, many old Hollywood movies used asbestos to replicate the look and feel of snow. Most famously, The Wizard of Oz, It's a Wonderful Life, and White Christmas.
VMk5m TIL Phantom traffic jams (queues of traffic not caused by vehicle collisions or roadworks) are the result of a single driver braking suddenly, causing each successive car to break to a greater degree, creating a wave of stopped or slowed traffic.
6Y8l TIL the surgery masks that the Chinese began wearing to protect themselves from the polluted air has now become a fashionable accessory. Designer face masks with different details and mascots have become a big hit in the country.
KYmj6 TIL the town of Coachella was originally going to be called Conchilla, meaning "little shells" in Spanish due to all the seashells found in the area. During the process the printers misread the documents and they were filed with Conchilla spelled 'Coachella' and they just decided to accept it.