› added 12 years ago

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TIL that in the 60s, General Electric designed a system that could bring an astronaut from orbit to the Earth’s surface in an emergency. The system consisted of a plastic bag that would be filled with polyurethane foam, a small deorbit rocket, and a parachute. It could fit into a suitcase.

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MXDK TIL that one company (Muzak) makes all the background music for malls, stores, and elevators
7rYNO TIL the Dr who popularised the idea of “Alpha” and “Beta” members of wolf packs has spent the rest of his career trying to convince everyone he was wrong..
DD9D TIL that solitary confinement can cause neurological damage that is so profound it can be seen on EEG-scans and “the brain may become as impaired as one that has incurred a traumatic injury”
ADBno TIL of the “I am rich” app, which - for $999.99 - gave you a crappy screensaver with a mis-spelled affirmation message. 8 people purchased it.
rryw TIL that Robert Stack (original host of the popular Unsolved Mysteries television show) was extremely skeptical about the segments involving paranormal occurrences. While recording his famous narrations, he would often turn to his producer in between takes and exclaim: “Oh, come on, Raymond!”