› added 12 years ago

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TIL that Arnold Sommerfield, a theoretical physicist, was doctoral supervisor to 4 physicists who went on to win Nobel Prizes in physics, and academic supervisor to 2 others who also won. He himself was nominated 81 times.

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b6RxE TIL that scientists once came up with a theory that the Refractory Period in males evolved as a survival mechanism to prevent them from fatally exhausting themselves during sexual activities.
awYVo TIL about the Zwentendorf Nuclear Power Plant, Austrias first power plant that was build in the 70s for nowadays 1.4 billion euros, completed, but never went into operation because it was stopped last minute by a referendum with 50.5% against it. Now it is a training station & tourist attraction.
YpnPr TIL there were American soldiers during World War II, who used fake tanks and pre-recorded sounds to deceive the Nazis into thinking their army was bigger than it actually was. They were called the ‘Ghost Army’.
A8mo TIL While visiting Camp David in 1973, Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev was given a Lincoln Continental by Richard Nixon. Brezhnev coaxed Nixon into the passenger seat and then drove off the property, leaving the President’s security detail behind as the two leaders sped down rural, narrow roads.
YpxaP TIL if 75% of your liver were removed and 25% left, that 25% could regenerate a full size liver in 8 to 15 days? Your new liver would reorganize itself over the course of a few months but it would be functional as it regenerates.