› added 6 years ago

309

TIL that on NASA's Gemini XII flight, the computer docking system failed and Buzz Aldrin successfully calculated the docking trajectory using a sextant and a slide rule.

Read more nasa.gov

via reddit.com

wLVGW TIL Of Timothy Evans, a Welshman tried, convicted, and hung for the murder of his daughter. Throughout the trial, he blamed his downstairs neighbour for the murder. Three years later, his downstairs neighbour confessed.
1DPW TIL the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami is the biggest national tragedy in Sweden’s modern history even though it occurred in Asia. They lost more citizens (543) than any other Western country.
d8GXE TIL there is an actual sport where competitors chase a 9 pound wheel of cheese down a hill
Yp9mv TIL Bruce Jay Friedman attributed the inspiration for his groundbreaking play 'Steambath' (which was the first to show nudity on broadcast TV in America) to "bad experience with the food at a Chinese restaurant"
91EM TIL that the first functional sewing machine was invented in France in 1830 by Barthelemy Thimonnier, a tailor. The inventor was nearly killed by a group of angry French tailors. They burnt down his garment factory because they feared the invention would render them unemployed.