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TIL about uranium glassware, where small samples of uranium were melted into glass before forming to create a wider range of colors. This practice stopped in the 40s and pieces now are highly sought by collectors.

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YVmZ TIL When Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier, he did so using technology provided by the British to America as part of an agreed exchange of technology. After receiving the research, America subsequently reneged on the agreement and no data was forthcoming in return.
9wBmp TIL that during WWII, 14,700 tons of Silver loaned from the US Treasury were used for the circuitry of the Manhattan Project, because there wasn't enough copper due to war-time shortages. All but "thirty six thousandths of one percent" were returned to the US Treasury by June 1st, 1970.
VxOG TIL The origin of french fries is a hotly contested issue between Belgium and France. Belgium claims a 1781 family manuscript proves they were invented there, while France claims Paris street vendors invented the dish just before the French revolution.
kkDg TIL that the Rhinoceros Party of Canada campaigned for such ideas as repealing the law of gravity, and tearing down the Rocky Mountains so that Albertans could see the Pacific sunset.
VMdaZ TIL The first openly gay celebrity was actor Billy Haines. In the 1920s, Haines was a silent film star with films like The Midnight Express, Little Annie Rooney, and Navy Blues. Haines, who was under contract with MGM, was told to marry a woman by MGM. He refused and never acted again.