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TIL: In July 2011, a survey found that Flash Player had 99% market penetration in desktop browsers in "mature markets", while Shockwave Player claimed only 41% in these markets

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jNmmv TIL that in 1970 a grass roots organization known as the Committee to End Pay Toilets in America was launched by mathematician Ira Gessel due to his frustrations over public pay toilets'. He was largely successful in pressuring city councils, lik Chicagos to eliminate the condition to pay for relief
kmm5 TIL Restaurants are immune from most civil litigation in donating food. The Emerson Good Samaritan Act of 1996 was passed to curb fears of liability of restaurants and others that might otherwise throw away food rather than donating it.
N75LM TIL there was much pressure from Columbia Pictures for the "Men in Black" music video to help the movie succeed. With just weeks before the film’s release, Will Smith devised a last minute idea to do a dance-off with a CGI alien. Smith spent late nights learning the steps and they shot it in 4 days.
mxyRy TIL of the Burghers of Calais. In 1346, Edward III laid siege to Calais, but agreed to spare the town if 6 wealthy residents surrendered, wearing nooses around their necks and carrying the keys to the city. Six volunteered, facing certain execution. They were spared on the advice of Queen Philippa
yVBoa TIL Texas did not have safety regulations on natural gas until after a school blew up and hundreds of children were killed. No one was held accountable, but they passed strict regulations afterwards. It was so bad that even Hitler sent a letter of condolence.