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TIL about Gary Young, who amassed a fortune originating the essential oils craze. Claimed he could cure cancer and died of cancer.

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via reddit.com

OGP7e TIL Monty Python came to Germany in 1972, long before many other countries. The comedians were invited by Alfred Biolek to make TV specials in Germany, the first was performed phonetically and the second was dubbed. Terry Jones could still recite the German lumberjack song fourty years later.
YpkaZ TIL that the word nepotism comes from the practice of popes appointing their nephews as cardinals, a way to secure their power over the college of cardinals
9w5jG TIL the Nuremberg Trials executioner lied to the US Military about his prior experience. He botched a number of hangings prior to Nuremberg. The Nuremberg criminals had their faces battered bloody against the too-small trapdoor and were hung from short ropes, with many taking over 10 minutes to die.
l76KB TIL as of late 2011 Texas no longer provides executed felons a last meal. The tradition had existed for almost a century, but after a high profile incident where a murderer refused to eat anything the state legislature passed a law to end the practice entirely. Most states instead have a price cap.
kOv9E TIL of the Vioxx scandal - a drug produced by Merck & Co, which resulted in the death of approximately 60,000 people. The company allegedly was aware of the side effects, and did not withdraw the drug from the market until FDA caught on. The company exists to this day.