› added 3 years ago

119

TIL that in 1984, 6,600 tons of radioactive rebar were distributed throughout Mexico and the U.S. after a radiation therapy unit was sent to a junkyard in Juárez, Mexico and converted into scrap metal. 814 irradiated buildings were ultimately demolished and 4,000 people were exposed.

VPvk TIL the original pledge of allegiance did not contain the words “under god” even though it was written by an ordained minister.
oBxQK TIL in the 1956 Melbourne olympics, veterinary student Barry Larkin protested against the relay, carrying a fake flame, consisting of a pair of underpants set on fire in a plum pudding can, attached to a chair leg. Successfully handing it to the Mayor of Sydney and escaping unnoticed.
nebnB TIL of 4-7-8 breathing (inhale 4 seconds, hold 7 seconds, exhale 8 seconds, repeat). Based on pranayama breathing exercises, this "natural tranquilizer for the nervous system" activates the body's parasympathetic nervous system (relaxation) and suppresses the sympathetic nervous system (stress).
MenZm TIL: The Expanse started out as an RPG. Ty Frank created the game and his later co-author Daniel Abraham was so impressed by the amount of research and world-building he suggested they write a novel from it. Their first book was nominated for a Hugo and spawned a hit television series.
gOv8 TIL that, in Switzerland, it is legal to downloaded pirated movies/music for private use. They even conducted a study and found piracy does not affect sales.