› added 5 months ago

178

TIL that scientists used a dating method to show a Viking ax cut trees on the North American continent exactly 1000 years ago, in 1021 C.E. This dating method uses a spike in solar radiation that left a mark in tree rings around the world. This proves the Vikings arrived before Christopher Columbus.

Read more science.org

via reddit.com

xr05 TIL that the author of “The Martian” was also a computer programmer for Warcraft 2
a0Py TIL Despite being started in 1630, Kikkoman (soy sauce) is only the 28th oldest family owned business.
rRyPx TIL in the early 20th Century women would use their hat pin to physically defend themselves from being harassed in public transport. It worked so well that law makers at the time outlawed it. In Australia, sixty women went to jail rather than pay fines for wearing “murderous weapons” in their hats
GYr7g TIL the Emperor Tamarin got its name for its resemblance to German emperor Wilhelm II
nGnY TIL people in South Africa dry, grind up, and roll cigarettes out of vulture brains because they think it will help them predict lottery numbers.