› added 8 years ago

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TIL that before air-dropped bombs were used in WWI, solid-cast darts called Flechettes were dropped in large batches from British and French planes over enemy trenches, which were capable of piercing helmets and skulls

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DQKpD TIL that the movie character Raymond from the Academy Award winning movie Rain man was based on real life savant, Kim Peek. He could simultaneously read the left side and right side pages of a book at the same time and had complete memory of over 12,000 books.
gr5JW TIL in 1985 Cannon Films bought filming right for Spider Man, believing it was wolf man like character. In their treatment, Peter Parker transforms into eight armed hairy monster.
QJpve TIL about Guinea Worm Disease, an extremely painful parasitic infection characterized by spaghetti-like worms up to 1 meter in length slowly emerging from the human body through blisters on the skin.
X0Xnk TIL about New Zealand author Janet Frame was erroneously diagnosed with schizophrenia and scheduled for lobotomy. However, several days prior to the procedure, she was awarded New Zealand's most esteemed literary accolade, prompting doctors to cancel the operation.
wVaY TIL Keanu Reeves gave away $50mil of his profits from the Matrix series, giving $1.75mil to each special-effects and costume designer responsible for the films. He’s channeled millions into his sister’s leukemia battle, taken 90% paycuts on films, and doesn’t own a mansion.