› added 7 years ago

241

TIL that none of the actors in the infamous “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast from 1938 intended for the citizens of America to take it as seriously as they did, considering that many of the scripts were improvised and most of the sound effects came from houseware items

epRg6 TIL Animal glue has been in use since ancient times but nearly vanished in Europe following the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Animal glue returned in the 16th century and is still in use, though primarily in restoration.
XEKbD TIL that Admiral Sir William James, born in 1881, was, as a young child, the model for a famous painting titled "Bubbles" which was subsequently used to advertise Pears Soap. This fame dogged him throughout his life and he was regularly nicknamed "Bubbles", much to his chagrin.
XEJOP TIL of speed reader Kim Peek who could read a book in an hour by scanning the left page with his left eye then the right page with his right eye. He also had an exceptional memory, able to accurately recall the contents of 12,000 books.
8exEG TIL the derogatory term of "Indians" for indigenous people came from Christopher Columbus thinking America was "The Indies"
LDnZ TIL that in 1959, the guy who wrote “Louie, Louie” sold the song’s rights for $750 to pay for his wedding. In the mid-80s, he was living on welfare with his mom in South Central LA, when a lawyer convinced him to take action to get the rights back. He settled out of court and became a millionaire.