› added 9 years ago

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TIL Stephen King never cashed the $5000 check he received for the rights of turning Shawshank Redemption into a movie. Instead, years after the movie came out, he framed the check and gave it back to Mr. Darabont with a note: “In case you ever need bail money. Love, Steve”

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dYxB TIL There are pictures over 100 years old that are in full color taken with a special camera from all over Russia.
OGYGa TIL; In August 1976, US and South Korean men were trimming a poplar tree obscuring a view between a checkpoint & observation post - A group of North Koreans appeared demanding they stop cutting branches. Capt Bonifas ignored them & then they attacked using clubs & axes taken from the gardening group
grn4D TIL scientists aren't entirely certain what evolutionary advantage we get from our ability to taste sourness. The other main tastes are know to either draw us to particular nutrients or steer us away from toxins, but we're not so sure about sour.
0wJjy TIL Steve Carell used to be a mailman and during Christmas, he would write notes to kids who would send letters to Santa and put it in their mailboxes. The note read, "Your letter to Santa has been picked up by special reindeer courier."
YEXd TIL carbon nanotubes and cementite nanowires have been found in ancient Damascus steel swords, possibly playing a part in their incredible and mysterious strength.