› added 1 year ago

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TIL about "Man Engines" which were moving ladders that constantly moved up and down about 10 feet and used to move miners from 1000 ft deep mine shafts by stepping on and off the ladder step at the top of the up stroke, then stepping onto the next step on the down stroke (animation in link)

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YBlr TIL The Act of Habeas Corpus 1679 was only just passed . When the votes were counted, there were not enough Lords in favour, so it was decided that one of the Lords, because he happened to be fat, was worth ten votes. It started as a joke, but remains on the statute books to this day.
6v4m TIL in 1910, brothers Bud and Temple Abernathy traveled alone on horseback from their ranch in Oklahoma to NYC. Their cross-country journey took 74 days to complete, spanning 2000 miles. After arriving, they bought a car and drove back home. Bud was five years old at the time; Temple was nine.
Wkkro TIL Rembrandt had a 6 year affair with his son's nanny; when they split she successfully sued for alimony, he later had her committed.
M70y0 TIL the US has the most volcanoes of any country, with 162 volcanos, 40 of which have been active since 1960, BUT 55 of Indonesia's 120 volcanos have been active since 1960.
4m7J TIL that London cabbies study for years to take an exam called “The Knowledge of London,” requiring memorization of over 25,000 streets and many more businesses and landmarks.