› added 1 year ago

42

TIL The United States once had "Dynamite Guns" guarding San Francisco. Giant compressed air guns fired hundreds of pounds of Dynamite at enemy ships. They were retired once more stable explosive charges were invented.

Read more wikipedia.org

via reddit.com

awXb0 TIL about Helga de la Brache. A woman who grew up in lower class circumstances but succesfully posed as a Swedish princess for years. Convincing even the Swedish royal family who gave her a pension and "furniture befitting a princess."
Y7LJA TIL in 1974 the Cleveland Indians held a Ten Cent Beer promotion that resulted in on-field streaking, fans lighting fireworks in the stands, and pelting of players with hotdogs that culminated in a riot in the 9th inning, a local sports writer interviewing fans after was punched in the face twice.
x6or5 TIL Guy Fawkes wasn't hanged but jumped to his death to avoid the agony of hanging. He broke his neck on the fall.
b9d0N TIL a human egg cell is visible to the naked eye – about the size of a period in standard-size font.
1amDX TIL Richard Nixon and his family were the first guests to ride the monorail at Disneyland