› added 4 years ago

133

TIL the African nation of Zambia aspired to beat US and Russia in the Space Race. Their "Afronaut" prep. program included using a tire swing to simulate weightlessness along with downhill barrel rolls for the g-force. They also had plans to Christianize the Martian population, among other things.

Read more wikipedia.org

via reddit.com

BrpNb TIL In 552AD two monks successfully smuggled silkworm eggs in their walking sticks from China to the Byzantine Empire, essentially ending the silk monopolies of China and Persia, and bringing silk manufacture to Europe.
epPOg TIL Cute aggression refers to the overwhelming urge to squeeze, pinch, or bite something extremely cute, typically without any desire to cause harm.
nevEP TIL: Upon exiting the Constitutional Convention Benjamin Franklin was approached by a group of citizens asking what sort of government the delegates had created. His answer was: "A republic, if you can keep it."
Q8Ok TIL tickling was a form of torture used in ancient China on nobility because it left no mark and recovery was quick.
YjPd TIL Flags are lowered to half-staff to make room for the invisible flag of Death