› added 9 years ago

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TIL the musicians aboard the Titanic were legally classified as independent contractors instead of crew members. Because of this, their families received no survivor benefits.

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l7XYr TIL about Brachycephalus, the world's smallest vertebrate, a frog so small it could sit on the head of a pencil eraser. Their auditory systems have also shrunk: at least two species can't hear their own mating calls.
XEX58 TIL that many higher end, larger camera lenses are white instead of black due to issues caused by temperature fluctuations. As a lens heats in sunlight, it expands, affecting focus of the glass elements. This is particularly problematic for larger lenses. The white color helps reflect light/heat.
N7bEE TIL that coconuts transported themselves around the world by foating through the sea. This one reason (along with human interferance) that coconuts are so widespread worldwide. So, yes, coconuts do migrate.
9PyX TIL Mary Ball Washington was terrified of lightning because while she was pregnant with George, a bolt of lightning traveled down her chimney. It shocked her and killed a dinner guest.
GwGG TIL There is a toothpaste named Black Man toothpaste that is sold by Colgate in asian countries. The name refers to stereotypically black males white teeth. In 1989 it held a 75% market share in Taiwan and is still sold today.