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TIL that beryllium, the fourth element on the periodic table, is rarely used by chemists. However, because it is light and strong, it is used in aircraft and cell phones. It is also highly toxic. Just ¼ milligram (mass of a grain of salt) can kill a rat.

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9Y4p6 TIL Wilson the Cast Away Volleyball was inspired by screenwriter William Broyles, Jr.'s personal research. Broyles stranded himself on a deserted island for a week, and a volleyball washed ashore.
Ra6w TIL that he use of the ace as the highest card gained more widespread acceptance as a result of the French Revolution, which symbolised the removal of the nobility and the promotion of the common man.
Y5rA TIL that Carmel, IN has replaced almost all of their traffic lights by roundabouts. This led to an estimated 40% decrease in all accidents and 90% in fatal ones, saving $180,000 because of lower maintenance cost and several thousands of gallons of gas per roundabout per year
m1W8Y TIL in 2012, the remainder of the Wilhelm Unger Games in Germany were cancelled after a referee was running to measure the distance of a javelin throw while it was still in the air and was struck in the face and throat by it. The referee died after being taken to the hospital.
yVn5p TIL of Sister Exchange, a type of marriage agreement where two sets of siblings marry each other. In order to get married, a man needs to persuade his sister to marry the bride's brother. It is practised as a primary method of organising marriages in 3% of the world's societies.