› added 2 months ago

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TIL that Archimedes supposedly invented a giant lens that focused the power of the sun to burn enemy Greek ships

Read more bbc.co.uk

via reddit.com

QJ6nL TIL birds have specialized cells in their eyes that allow them to see the earth's magnetic fields. They use this for navigation during migration season.
e0Np5 TIL about the Schweinemord - In 1915 due to World War I food restrictions and rationing, Germany decided to regard pigs as co-eaters with humans and tried to preserve supplies. Five million pigs were massacred in the so-called Schweinemord (pig massacre) to both make food and preserve grain.
4XZEb TIL that ahead of the most recent papal election in 2013, bookmakers put the odds of Richard Dawkins being elected at 666-1, Bono at 1,000-1, Silvio Berlusconi at 2,500-1, and Lance Armstrong at 10,000-1
dDp9E TIL that polar bears are also ranged hunters and will throw rocks and chunks of ice at walruses to stun or even kill them outright
e09x5 TIL it's called a meteoroid when in space, a meteor when falling through the atmosphere, and a meteorite once it's landed | Canadian Space Agency