› added 1 year ago

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TIL of Viktor Belenko, the Soviet pilot who defected with the MiG-25 (most advanced Soviet interceptor of its time), who initially assumed that his CIA handlers were keeping him in an elaborate tourist trap made to impress foreigners because he couldn't comprehend the sheer abundance he was seeing.

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rRPko TIL that one Thomas Morgan Robertson 1. Turned a Scientist into a pop star 2. Produced Prefab Sprout's early works 3. Composed the synth intro to Foreigner's 'Waiting for a girl like you' and 4. Founded a software company that created the classic Nokia tune. His stage name?..Thomas Dolby
kJ8X4 TIL: The first helicopter used by the US in combat was during WWII, originally meant to ferry parts from ships to shore, they quickly realized how useful they were and used them for medevac purposes.
E1noo Planking for longer than 10 seconds is pointless, according to one professor.
9VLX TIL a Hiroshima policeman went to Nagasaki to teach police about ducking after the atomic flash. As a result of this timely warning, not a single Nagasaki policeman died.
a8nvJ TIL suede is made from the underside of animal skin. It is softer and more pliable than the outer skin layer, though not as durable. The name literally means "Sweden," where popular gloves were made.