› added 8 years ago

139

TIL that solid iron cannonballs kept underwater for a long time can explode once they reach the surface- [gas bubbles are trapped underwater at enormous pressure- once at surface, pressure is no longer equalized from within and without- ergo explosion potential]

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WKeX TIL Alexander Hamilton and James Madison both claimed to have written numbers 49-58 and 62-63 of the Federalist Papers. In 1964, a computer analysis of the text revealed that Madison was indeed the author of all 12 of those essays, despite Hamilton’s claim to the contrary.
6EGv8 TIL that Operation Cherry Blossoms at Night was a 1945 plan developed by Shirō Ishii to wage biological warfare upon civilian population centers in Southern California in the United States during the final months of World War II, using plague fleas from unit 731.
X0kjj TIL there was once a Danish chef who spent ten years undercover arranging a fake arms deal with North Korea - and filmed it all
6Ed47 TIL that astronauts have reported the experience of seeing flashes while they are in space, even when their eyes are closed. These flashes are due to cosmic radiations affecting the retina.
OGYY4 TIL Peter Gabriel's song 'Don't Give Up' was inspired by photograph's of depression era Americans. He originally approached Dolly Parton to sing, she turned him down and Kate Bush agreed to take her place. Elton John credits the song with helping to inspire him to achieve sobriety.