› added 9 years ago

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TIL that Mamihlapinatapai is the most succinct word in the world. It means “a look shared by two people, each wishing that the other will offer something that they both desire but are unwilling to suggest or offer themselves.”

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XE4yE TIL Due to China’s early discovery and love of ceramics they didn’t produce any glass between the 14th-19th century. This meant they didn’t have mirrors and windows etc, leaving them behind in sciences, as they didn’t make lenses and other things fundamental to science.
e0EjE TIL that in 1625, a restoration of the Sistine Chapel was carried out by Simone Lagi, the "resident gilder", who wiped the ceiling with linen cloths and cleaned it by rubbing it with bread. His report states that the frescoes "were returned to their previous beauty without receiving any harm".
9DLr TIL that when US tanks crossed the border into Iraq, they played The Ride of the Valkyries from humvee-mounted speakers
kJxom TIL The inventor of the blue LED and pioneer of an $80+ billion dollar industry was paid only $170 for his patent
rNXEd TIL because he Monty Hall Problem is often worded ambiguous, leaving some loopholes, it is better do not switch doors when you play the game with the actual real Monty Hall.