› added 5 years ago

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TIL that when glasses for nearsightedness began to appear in the 15th Century, because they were unusual and rare they were seen as having magical powers, and people who wore glasses were thought to be in league with the devil.

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wLgLE TIL in 2007 there was a pet food recall on imported pet food from China that killed more than 8,500 pets. Congress enacted laws for the FDA to set new guidelines within 2 years. In 2016 the FDA reported they're still "drafting a regulation" and in 2018 Congress removed the guidelines for pet safety.
N7Bwe TIL that when the Donner Party was about to depart from Springfield, Illinois, Abraham Lincoln considered joining it, but only stayed behind to care for his son and his pregnant wife.
8agLa TIL PhDs aren't the only terminal degree. JD, MBA, MSW, MLW, MArch are all considered terminal.
k7wm TIL that scientists at Chernobyl shot at radioactive material with an AK-47 in order to break off chunks for analysis
Gwj TIL there is a fish that has the dental characteristics of a human and has killed people by chewing their testicles off.