› added 4 years ago

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TIL that German virologist Christian Drosten discovered SARS-CoV in 2003 and developed a test for the virus. His research group also developed a test for MERS-CoV in 2012. He then went on to develop a test for SARS-CoV-2 and made it available worldwide on the internet in January 2020.

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69rB7 TIL about Dancing Mania, a mysterious phenomenon from the 14th–17th centuries where groups in Europe danced uncontrollably for days. Causes are still debated—possible ergot poisoning, stress-induced hysteria, or religious fervor. Some danced to death.
neLa7 TIL the BBC created a Radio Soap Opera during WWII specifically for the American market. It was propaganda designed to get the USA to end its neutrality. One of the aims of the show was to appeal to those with a 'limited mentality'. It ended up being a popular radio show in the US.
5VxZB TIL that after recording the song for this commercial, Brian Johnson, the singer, went to go audition for AC/DC and he took over Bon Scott's role as lead singer after his death
pRe4 TIL at a launch site in South Dakota, the entrance to the underground missile launch control center is sealed by a blast-proof door painted like a Domino’s Pizza logo, and hand-lettered text on the door reads “World-wide delivery in 30 minutes or less, or your next one is free”.
Oo5WY TIL that Muhammad Ali's star on the Hollywood walk of fame is not on the sidewalk. It is on the wall of Kodak theater because of his request that "he did not want to be walked on."