› added 3 weeks ago

8

TIL y2k cost 300 billion dollars to fix.

Read more reuters.com

via reddit.com

Jxak TIL that an English inventor named Maurice Ward (1933-2011) invented a thermal shielding material called Starlite which was able to withstand extreme heat (10000 degrees C), but never revealed its composition in fear of reverse engineering and losing control of rights to the material.
Z8KRo TIL on four separate occasions, British retailer B&Q has had to recall sonic mole repellers in its Northern Ireland stores after being informed there are no moles in Ireland.
Qgae TIL That Nicolas Cage did in fact deny that he is a time travelling vampire
kBOg TIL The doctor for the Lewis and Clark expedition gave the explorers mercury pills, and since it doesn’t break down this is how scientists trace their steps.
gMJk9 TIL In 1969, amateur sailor Donald Crowhurst secretly abandoned the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race while reporting false positions to appear to complete a circumnavigation without actually doing so. His boat was found unoccupied; it was presumed that he committed suicide or fell overboard.