› added 11 years ago

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TIL: Mattel made an Earring Magic Ken doll in 1993, complete with frosted hair, a purple mesh shirt, lavender vest and an earring in his left ear. Dubbed the “Alternative Lifestyle” Ken, the doll was almost completely sold out of stores by Christmas, due to the gay community’s interest.

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via reddit.com

b9X7j TIL that Simón Bolívar, the great liberator of South America, was nicknamed 'iron butt' (culo de hierro) for his "endurance on horseback." Old 'iron butt' would go on to free Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Perú, and Panamá from Spanish control in the 1800s.
neXOP TIL Humans are bioluminescent and glow in the dark. The light is just too weak for human eyes to detect
WkWw8 TIL that ships are referred to as "she" from long tradition that they are female figures (e.g., mothers) who guide and protect its passengers and crew.
j6KQE TIL The 2 hour long This is It concert film was selected from more than 100 hours of rehearsal footage of Michael Jackson in preparation for his 2009 comeback concert series that never happened. It opened with simultaneous premieres in 99 countries, with the mood both sad and celebratory
AB1l TIL that Elephant Shrews are closer related to elephants than to shrews