› added 11 years ago

81

TIL the term “Carjacking” originated in Detroit, MI

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via reddit.com

ne9D7 TIL that a 25 year old Kenyan man invented smart gloves that can convert sign language movements into speech.
waZ8 TIL in 1977 a urologist in New Jersey purchased Napoleon Bonaparte’s penis for $3,000 and stored it under his bed for 30 years until he died. His daughter inherited the penis.
GR01 TIL due to terrible working conditions at Disneyland Paris, employees began to give the park the nickname “Mousewitz”. (referencing the infamous Nazi concentration camp) When park officials told them not to, they responded by calling it “Duckau”
WkE7L TIL Failed US President John Tyler, following his presidency, was nominated to the minor office of “Overseer of Roads” by local villagers in an effort to mock him. Much to their dismay, he took his job incredibly seriously despite his neighbors begging him to stop.
pY9Ze TIL up until the 90s Oscar voters for best documentary used to show up to a screening theater and given a flashlight. 15 minutes after a documentary is played, voters can turn on their flashlight to stop the documentary. If 3/4 of the voters have their lights on, they can move on to the next doc.