› added 11 years ago

652

TIL Koreans call the platypus a “duck-raccoon”

Read more ko.wikipedia.org

via reddit.com

p8yBp TIL that Georgia Tann kidnapped up to 5000 babies whilst working as a social worker and sold them to the black market over 30 years. Her close friends in high places, such as a tycoon and a judge were able to remove missing persons reports and threaten people with legal action if they pursued.
OxmL TIL scientists have reconstructed YouTube videos from the brain activity of the people watching them. One day a technique like this might allow us to record our dreams
QJpgp TIL that 22 out of the 45 presidents of the United States of America have Irish heritage
D18YY TIL on this day, July 30 1864, Union troops used 8,000lbs of gunpowder to blow a massive hole in the enemy trenches during the Siege of Petersburg. Due to a last minute change, the troops assigned to exploit the explosion were untrained and their commander was drunk, leading to a terrible loss.
jNmaE TIL that until the mid 20th century the avocado had a reputation as an aphrodisiac, which actually discouraged some consumers. During the 1920s, growers sponsored a promotional advertising campaign in the United States to deny that the avocado had powers for inducing sexual prowess.