› added 8 years ago

48

TIL that Alaska might be unprofitable. Some economists argue that since Russia sold it in 1867, the US has spent more on purchasing and governing Alaska than the tax and mining/oil royalty revenue it has produced, and that oil companies’ profits there are insufficient compared to their investments.

46o5 TIL that the reason Greek statues have such small penises is because back then, big penises were considered “ gross and comical.” Small penises were considered, “God sent” and were much preferred by woman.
NpjJ TIL that 1000 years ago it was Kiev, not Moscow, that was the center of Russian power and culture
1ab7V TIL Researchers actually know shockingly little about male pattern baldness. While most agree it involves DHT, we don't know the specific mechanisms of how and why DHT causes baldness. This is due to baldness being classified as cosmetic issue, not a disease, which limits research funds available.
Xb48 TIL of the first person to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge - a professional high diver who wanted to ‘demonstrate that people did not die by simply falling through the air’. He proved himself correct after falling, safely, 135 feet through the air; dying from impact upon hitting the water.
KYZ6E TIL of the ancient law of General Acerage. If a ship carrying cargo needs to jettison some of its load to save the rest, that loss is to be shared proportionally among interest holders and the ship owner. First written into law in 800BC, it continues to be declared in maritime emergencies.